Plant Lubrication Point Map: How to Build It and Which KPIs to Track

“Lubrication point map” usually means: the plant greases every day, but nobody sees the full picture — how many points, which grade, who owns them, where over-greasing hides. Without a map you cannot cut consumption or move to condition-based lubrication.

What belongs on each point

Field	Why
Point ID / asset tag	CMMS and route link
Machine + location (DE/NDE, drum, idler…)	Do not mix motor and driven unit
Access type	Grease nipple vs lifetime-sealed
Approved grease grade	Avoid incompatibility
Dose ceiling (g) and delivery	Gun / lubricator / auto
Criticality (A/B/C)	Route priority
Interval hint + control method	Calendar → condition
Owner / shift	Who closes the point

Without grade and ceiling, a “map” is just a list of nipples.

Build it in four steps

1. Inventory critical lines first — pumps, fans, conveyors, mills. Photo nipples; note drain and sealed-for-life bearings.
2. Normalize grades on the shelf — one point, one grade (grease selection).
3. Routes, not one-off jobs — zone/shift walks with measure-before-grease, correct technique, stop criteria; carve out auto-lube points.
4. Record results — date, volume or “skipped — OK”, GOOD/BAD/SUSPECT, technician. No history → no KPIs.

KPIs that help (and ones that hurt)

Useful: map coverage (% with grade + ceiling), route completion, share lubricated vs skipped by condition, grease kg/month on the same map, overheats/seal blow-outs, unplanned bearing replacements.

Beware “100% of points greased on schedule” — it rewards over-greasing. Prefer “100% checked; grease only when needed.”

Typical map holes (mining / power)

Motor and pump as one point; lifetime rollers on a grease route; no criticality; three “almost identical” greases on the shelf; no link to failures. Conveyors: idler greasing. Pumps/fans: guide. Motors: motor bearings.

Where acoustics sits on the map

The map defines what and which grease. Acoustics answers when and how much: LUBExpert / SDT340 on routes; ON-GUARD on critical A-points; method: what acoustic lubrication is.

KEG TRK helps roll out maps and acoustic pilots in Kazakhstan. Contact.