Blog | POLARIS Laboratories®

Dos and Don’ts of Sample Submission

In a hurry to receive your sample results? The method you use to submit your sample for analysis has a significant impact on the speed in which your samples are received and processed by our team. At POLARIS Laboratories® we are working continuously to simplify the sample submission process, introducing a simple to use label and making sample submission available online via HORIZON®.

While these new methods have helped improve the overall process, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure your samples arrive at the laboratory ready for processing!

Following these dos and don’ts will help you improve how you send your samples:

Do:

Choose the correct sample bottle for your sample
Make sure the cap on the bottle is tightly secured
Follow these steps to fill out your EZ label
Write clearly
Fill out as much information about your sample as possible
Send samples via UPS or FedEx for quicker turnaround time
Take advantage of your carrier’s package tracking feature
Take advantage of HORIZON

Don’t:

Hurry! Speeding through the sample process could lead to mistakes
Use a bottle not made for sampling
Leave blanks in your sample information
Forget to include the EZ label with your bottle (if you did not submit online)
Send via USPS if you’re on deadline

Spending a few extra minutes correctly packaging and sending your sample will help ensure you receive your results in a timely manner as well as improve the maintenance recommendations you receive from our data analysts.

If you have any questions about your sampling methods or your order, please feel free to reach out to us at custserv@eoilreports.com.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Contamination: The troublemaker of oil analysis

Contamination in your fluid can be troublesome. Contaminants are all around us—in the air, water, particulates and, for maintenance personnel, in cleanup and process chemicals. As these elements contaminate your fluid, they can potentially shorten the life of your machinery.

In a study conducted by Oklahoma State University, researchers found that when a fluid is maintained 10 times cleaner, hydraulic pump life can extend by as much as 50 years! So how do we protect our lubricants from these unwanted contaminants?

The first step is understanding the symptoms that arise from different methods of contamination. The following are four common diagnoses as well as symptoms of these contaminants.

Symptoms: Spongy operation of hydraulics as air compresses under pressure; excessive wear; premature oxidation (especially in high pressure systems); pump cavitation and vibration; an increasing layer of foam.
Diagnosis: Air contamination

Symptoms: Premature failure or excessive wear due to reduced lubricating ability; corrosion of bearings or other machine elements; premature filter plugging; premature oxidation of lubricants.
Diagnosis: Water contamination

Symptoms: Increased wear
Diagnosis: Particulate contamination

Symptoms: Unexplained contamination
Diagnosis: Cleanup and process chemical issues

Performing oil analysis can help you identify exactly what type of contamination your machine is experiencing. From there, you can begin to decipher what could be causing it and how to change your maintenance practices to avoid high levels of contamination in the future.

In a recent blog post, I discussed how to best store your lubricants to avoid contamination. You can find the article here.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can improve your oil analysis program, check out our training page to learn more about our training programs.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Register for the Customer Summit Now!

Don’t forget! The POLARIS Laboratories® 2016 Customer Summit early registration closes July 31. This is your opportunity to save $200 off of your event registration fee while signing up for a summit unlike any other you’ve ever attended.

Why register early? So you can join our all-star line-up. Learn how to build a quality oil analysis program from companies such as Cummins Filtration, Chevron, RelaDyne LLC, Aggreko, Valvoline® and even the NCAA. These industry leaders have a wealth of knowledge and expertise that can help you make a champion impact on your maintenance program.

Former NFL quarterback and current NCAA Executive Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Oliver Luck, will deliver the keynote. An in-demand speaker on leadership and success, Luck will share his own personal experience with building program champions. Connecting college athletics with oil analysis, he also will touch on the benefits of compliance and the impact strong leaders can have on long-term organizational success.

Registering for the event is easy!

Visit our summit page to learn more about what the event has to offer and stop by our registration page to save your seat. As you register, you have the option to:

Add additional workshops
Choose which workshops you would prefer to attend
Choose between one of two great tour options

I know, I know. This will be a tough call! If you need any additional information to help you decide, visit our programming page.

Be sure you register soon to take advantage of this deal and secure your spot! I look forward to seeing you in Indianapolis September 19 through 21!

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Published July 9, 2016

The HORIZON® Mobile App is Available for Android

Android users, we didn’t forget you! After unveiling the HORIZON® app for Apple in 2015, we have spent the last few months working diligently to develop the same easy-to-use app for Android devices. After all this hard work, I’m happy to announce the HORIZON app for Android is now available in the Google Play™ store!

The application, an extension of our award-winning fluid analysis software, is designed to make submitting your samples easy and reliable. No matter what device you’re using, a smartphone, tablet or computer, the HORIZON app and web versions are capable of syncing in real time, which means you can always rely on the app to keep you in the loop.

Whether you’re using Apple or Android, this app is designed to make your day easier. Using the mobile app allows you to stand right next to your equipment and enter fluid time, mileage and other information directly into HORIZON. This eliminates the need for paper submissions and the inevitable errors that come with it.

In addition, the app helps you manage your alerts, notifying you when your sample is complete and allowing you to adjust the alerts based on fluid
type and severity. The sample submission function also shows you the status of the sample (waiting, received, completed) in the sample submission list.

Don’t worry, if your phone battery is low, you can still access HORIZON on your web browser.

As we continue to identify ways to make your sample submission process easier, stay up-to-date on everything HORIZON through our monthly newsletter.

Download for Android
Download for Apple

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Android and Google Play are trademarks of Google Inc.

Unexpected maintenance slowing you down?

Unexpected maintenance seems to always happen at the worst possible time. Whether you have a tight deadline to make or a limited budget, performing unexpected maintenance is never fun. At POLARIS Laboratories® we like to encourage our customers to make the switch from ‘reactive’ maintenance to ‘preventive’ maintenance in order to prepare for these unwanted surprises.

Relying on reactive maintenance does little to save you money or time. While responding in real time may seem like the easiest route, it too often results in extended downtime and unforeseen (not to mention expensive) maintenance costs.

Many of the issues causing downtime can silently build up in your machine over an extended period of time. Instead of waiting for the worst to happen, you can utilize the information obtained through oil analysis to spot an abnormality in your machine or vehicle. This allows you to plan a machine’s upkeep and maintenance schedule on your own terms.

While making the switch may seem difficult, this change is actually easy to implement and has the capacity to completely transform your maintenance system. You would be surprised at the impact focusing on preventive maintenance can have on both your program’s reliability and the mindset of your maintenance team.

Preventive maintenance allows you to take control of your maintenance practices, saving you time and money. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can improve your maintenance program, check out this case study or contact us today!

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Honoring POLARIS Laboratories® Top Employees

At POLARIS Laboratories® we are lucky to have some of the greatest employees in the world. As a global company, it is important to our team that we remain as connected as possible. That is why, each year, we take a week to honor our top employees and thank them for everything they do for us year round.

This year our four outstanding employees included Neil Carlberg from our Edmonton location, Nicole Ubben from our Houston Location as well as Michael Keller and Gina Kemp from our Indianapolis location.

These four employees were chosen by the company partners for exceeding their supervisor’s expectations and exemplifying excellence in their work.

This year’s honorees had a whirlwind tour of Indianapolis, exploring downtown Indianapolis, visiting the Indiana War memorial, attending an Indianapolis Indians game and completing an obstacle course at Go Ape Zipline. On top of that, they also had a comprehensive look at each department’s role in the company at our corporate headquarters.

Having these individuals visit from our national and global sites is one of the best parts of the year. Their dedication and support for the organization is what helps us ensure that our business continues to operate smoothly and efficiently while providing the best possible service for our customers.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Storing Your Lubricants to Avoid Contamination

Are you seeing unexpected contaminants in your lubricant analysis report? How you store and handle your lubricants has a significant impact on levels of contamination.

This quick guide can help you ensure that your lubricant is properly stored — saving time, money and a headache.

The basics:

Pumps, drums and totes need to be stored in a dry environment
Avoid storing lubricants in a humid environment (lubricants are hygroscopic)
Attempt to store lubricants indoors away from contamination under fairly constant moderate temperature conditions
Lubricants exposed to temperature extremes can lose additive effectiveness
Varying temperatures can cause breathing in sealed containers resulting in contaminant ingress

Indoor Storage:

When storing your fluid inside, follow the guidelines outlined in the image below to avoid contaminants.

Outdoor Storage:

Storing drums outside should be avoided but, if outside storage is the only option, consider these methods to avoid contamination:

Shelter drums from the rain and snow
Lay drums on their sides with buns in 3 and 9-o-clock position below lubricant level
Cover drums with shelter or tarp
Store drums upright, but tilt to keep water from bung
Use drum covers
Store small containers in a sealed cabinet

Best Storage

Adequate Storage

Least Desirable Storage

Integrating these simple practices into your maintenance program can help you improve the overall quality of your fluid. Ensuring that outside contaminants such as water, air and abrasives stay far away from your lubricants is a fundamental best practice for strong oil analysis programs.

If you’re interested in learning more about implementing a successful oil analysis program, visit our training page or contact us for more information.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Play Like a Champion Today

Picture this… It’s already September which is accompanied by crisp fall air, long nights of tailgating and football. Lots of football. While your days may be consumed with heated discussion on who most has the inside track to becoming this year’s champion, there’s another type of champion we’re discussing here at POLARIS Laboratories®.

While strategic oil analysis may seem vastly different than a game of football, we believe they both require champions to ensure the job is done right. That’s why this year’s Customer Summit theme is “Champion Impact”. This unique, peer-to-peer experience is designed to help your company capture and apply the elements of a successful oil analysis program, create greater visibility for your programs and secure broader management support.

Whether you’re looking to huddle with companies that have proven successes or create a playbook to troubleshoot your own issues with a group of peers, our Customer Summit will help you maximize your oil analysis program and continue to drive operational performance.

We have coordinated every aspect of this event to best fit your team’s needs and ensure that you make the most out of your summit experience. Taking place in Indianapolis from September 19-21, this two-day, 12-session event offers a one-of-a-kind experience for your busy team.

Mixing work with some memorable fun, we’ve even coordinated a special event at the NCAA Hall of Champions, an interactive exhibit that showcases the work and sacrifices it takes to make the grade in collegiate sports. We have an exciting event planned, offering you the opportunity to network with peers and learn all about the NCAA.

Are you ready to take the next step to becoming a program champion? Check out our Customer Summit website to learn more about the agenda and topics, new pre- and post-summit workshops, the exclusive off-site tour options, hotel accommodations, fees and more. Be sure to take advantage of our early registration discount, ending July 31.

Become a program champion with your oil analysis program today. Clear your calendar in September and join us in Indianapolis at the 2016 POLARIS Laboratories^® Customer Summit.

Down. Set. Hike!

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Changing Ourselves to Drive Customer Success

POLARIS Laboratories® embraces change because it is the only way to continuously improve the value of our oil analysis. Some changes are driven by feedback from employees, but often it’s the voice of the customer that drives us to become better.

Each month we send surveys to customers to discover what we are doing well and what needs improvement. Recently, survey comments requested more information in our results comments to help maintenance programs diagnose what is causing abnormal conditions in their equipment.

We took a closer look at our report comments. Wear and contamination comments contained quite a bit of information on potential causes and how to correct the problem, but fluid property comments lacked some of these details.

Our customers pointed out a valid area to improve, so improve it we did. Comments on viscosity, acid number, base number, pH, oxidation and nitration now include more details and possible root causes.

Our ultimate goal is for customers to be confident they are making the right maintenance decisions based on their analysis results. Expanding the report comments is one way we’re helping customers save their equipment.

Log into HORIZON and open a recent report to see the expanded comments for yourself.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.

Correcting Glycol Concentration

Proper glycol levels in coolants have become necessary to control an adequate boil point in today’s high-temperature engines. A coolant that’s properly formulated at 50% antifreeze can raise a coolant’s boil point another 12°F to 15°F. By comparison, the cooling system pressure cap increases the system pressure up to 16 pounds, which can raise the coolant’s boil point by 2.7°F at sea level.

When glycol levels are out of balance, some companies simply drain and replace the coolant. However, as much as one-third of the fluid, even rinse water, can remain in the engine block and passages and will dilute the new coolant. If the glycol percentage is the only coolant concern, it is easier to readjust the coolant using this simple mathematical equation to ensure a proper coolant dilution.

Learn more about getting a coolant analysis program started with POLARIS Laboratories®.

Proven Impact. Proven Uptime. Proven Savings.
Let us prove it to you.