Building the Road to Fluid Analysis at CONEXPO/CON-AGG


CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014, the premier construction equipment, technology and product show in North America commences this week, and POLARIS Laboratories® is ready. As one of the 2,400 exhibitors and 125,000 attendees, we look forward to seeing the newest innovations and bleeding-edge technology that will propel construction companies into the 21st century.

However, fluid analysis isn’t a new concept for most attendees of CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Most industry experts know what it is and how it can help them, but are they taking advantage of everything fluid analysis offers? Or simply, can they afford to continue not taking advantage of the proven results of fluid analysis?

We want our customers’ fluid analysis to be the MVP of their maintenance and reliability program. We know it helps equipment run longer and reduces maintenance costs, things that can make or break construction companies. We’ve seen our customers enjoy a 25-, 30 and even 40-to-1 return on their fluid analysis investment, all with proven and reliable technology.

How can we make this significant return the norm for attendees of CONEXPO-CON/AGG? We’re committed to continue improvements to providing maximum quality, increased speed and greater accessibility to our analysts and certified consultants. At the same time, we’re making sure our customers can leverage our information by taking action on the recommendations. What good is having a star player on your team if they sit on the bench for most of the game?

Presentation at IFPE on Thursday afternoon
Speaking of star players, we’re proud to be able to show one of our own at IFPE, a conference co-located with CONEXPO-CON/AGG. Data Analyst Jawad Khan is presenting on the effects of water contamination and how you can address the problem in the South Hall-Bridge Meeting Complex on Thursday, March 6, 2014, at 2:15 p.m. We’re excited to have our technical expert available at both shows to talk to attendees about water contamination and other fluid analysis concerns.

Stop By to Learn More
To learn more about how you can get the most out of your equipment, remember to stop by Booth #64715 in the South Hall 1-2.  Our team will share how POLARIS Laboratories® can provide the information necessary to improve your maintenance and make your company more profitable. I look forward to seeing you there.

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

Published March 3, 2104

Weathering the Storm: The parallels of Winter and Fluid Analysis


This weekend I’m headed to Tampa Bay, Florida to join our vice president of sales for a presentation to one of our top customers. Naturally, after the cold and snow that gripped most of the country over the past six weeks, I’m looking forward to going someplace warm. Yet, I have to admit winter could have been worse. The weather models provided accurate, reliable and timely predictions, which helped many of us avoid the challenges of delayed shipments, flight delays, stalled traffic and increased probability of car problems.

I’ve been able to draw a timely and compelling parallel between the weather models and the benefits of equipment condition monitoring, when done properly. With the right fluid analysis partner, you also can capture accurate and actionable management information about your equipment, fleet and more.

With more information about what’s going on inside your equipment, you can take your fluid analysis program to the next level and make more informed maintenance decisions. When equipment wear shows up on your radar, you can improve production through fewer unscheduled breakdowns. Finally, when your company takes action on the information you’ve received, you can save time and money by avoiding hidden costs. Our customers have come to recognize the proven impact, proven uptime and proven savings that come from partnering with POLARIS Laboratories®.

Finally, thinking about my trip to a much-appreciated warmer climate reminds me of one reliable success story where a Florida company reaped the benefits from proven impact, proven uptime and proven savings. Can you afford not to know the forecast of your equipment?

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

Published February 21, 2014

Particle Cleanliness

It’s incredibly important to keep lubrication clean in order to protect components. Particles find their way into the lubrication through air movement, seals, lubrication degradation, wear metals and residual particles from manufacturing. When these particles circulate at high pressure/ velocity though a system, they can potentially cause erosion.

However, the largest wear comes from particles getting caught in load areas, such as piston walls, gear systems and other load zones. When particles are large enough, they prevent the lubrication from taking the load and are compressed and/or slid between two components. A particle hard enough will damage the metal instead of breaking. Metal damage always introduces more particles into the system, which increases the rate of wear.

Fluid analysis companies normally express test results in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard for cleanliness so they speak the same language as the lubrication suppliers, filter manufacturers and end users. The ISO 4406:1999 standard utilizes a three number system to classify system cleanliness – example: 19/16/13. The first number represents the number of particles present measuring greater than 4μm. The second represents particles greater than 6μm and the third represents those greater than 14μm.

Most customers use particle counts to identify when a system has been contaminated so they can address the particle ingression before cleaning or replacing the lubrication. Samples can be pulled before and after in-line filters and compared to see if the filter is operating properly.

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

Published February 10, 2104