Castrol Offers Marine Training
Norways vessel-classification and risk-management society Det Norske Veritas has recognized Castrol Marines Castrol Academy, stating that the learning tool plays a critical role in improving maritime proficiency. Also recognized by the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Castrol Academy combines interactive DVDs with print modules and online assessment.
The program was developed in response to a shipping industry survey conducted by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, which revealed that more than half of respondents had difficulty recruiting truly qualified crew members. Eleven technical modules cover additives, auxiliary equipment, base oils, fuels and specifications, lubrication basics, lubrication selection, machinery installation, main propulsion engines, power transmission systems, ship types and used oil analysis.
www.castrol.com/marine
ACDelco Adds Oils
Expanding its European aftermarket presence, ACDelco now offers four new fully synthetic oil grades. Ford WSS M2C 913 C ACEA, a mid-SAPS motor oil which provides improved lubricating properties and fuel economy, meets the specification for all 2009 and later Ford models without pump injectors. GM Dexos 2/BMW LL-04 mid-SAPS ACEA C3-08 is a reduced ash formulation for fuel economy and long service life for particulate traps and exhaust after treatment systems. It meets GM and European OEM requirements for light duty diesel and petrol engines.
Mazda JASO DL-1 low-SAPS is a Euro 4 motor oil for engines requiring low high-temperature/high shear viscosity oil (with or without a turbo) and for diesel particulate filter applications. Nissan-Renault C4 low-SAPS RN0720 Euro 4 is for DPF applications and three-way catalysts. It allows extended oil drain intervals in newer generation petrol and diesel engines.
www.acdelco.eu.com
Pick the Right Product
Shell Lubricants restructured and refreshed its industrial and transmission lubes and grease portfolio to simplify product selection. Outdated formulations and products with overlapping functions have been eliminated, while specialty and synthetic products have been added. Each brand and product category – Shell Tellus hydraulic oils, Shell Omala gear oils, Shell Corena compressor oils, Shell Tonna slideway oils and the Shell Gadus line of greases – is now based on four tiers: entry, mainline, premium and advanced, with the advanced tier consisting of the latest in synthetic technology.
Labels and product guides using color coding, icons and new names help customers choose products meeting the performance requirements of their specific applications. Old to new conversion tools make this transition to the new product line easy for existing customers. Packaging is standardized across the product portfolio for stacking.
Metalforming Forum
Want to stay ahead of the competition? Lubrizol has launched MetalformingFacts.com, a resource for metalforming and stamping professionals. Get answers about new difficult-to-form metals, technical advances and emerging customer requirements. The site includes information and updates on industry basics, best practices, challenges, fluid implications, global competition, regulation changes, technology and safety with a focus on improving productivity.
The site is useful for fabricators and formulators when optimizing forming fluids. Visit the site today to benchmark against industry polls, post questions, register for news alerts, share insights and suggest topics for articles.
www.metalformingfacts.com
Thinking Inside the Box
In a joint effort with Rapak, Millers Oils developed oil-in-a-box, an eco-friendly, efficient and cost-saving packaging solution for oil applications and improved storage available in the U.K. aftermarket. The box, which has a capacity of 15 liters, features dual handles; a tap from Worldwide Dispensers; a sealed, tamper-proof, twin-walled plastic bag from Rapak; and cardboard box from DS Smith Packaging Raw-cliffe (all divisions of DS Smith).
Plastic waste is reduced 84 percent and the cardboard is fully recyclable, minimizing waste disposal expense and reducing your carbon foot-print. An easy-access large bore tap is available separately for no-glug dispensing with minimal spillage.
www.rapak.co.uk
Microscopic Maintenance
The compact bench-top SpectroLNF Q200, distributed in the U.K. by Analysco Ltd. of Chipping Norton, is used to detect component wear indicators in lubricating oils, hydraulic oils and fuels. It uses a pulsed laser source and video microscopy to produce a count of particles ranging in size from 4 to 100 microns in concentrations of up to 5,000,000 per milliliter.
Particles over 20 microns are classified as fibers, free water droplets or non-metallic; or according to wear characteristics such as sliding, fatigue or cutting. Smaller particles are classified by ISO 4406 cleanliness standards. Water content is reported in parts per million. The Q200 measures heavily-sooted samples without dilution, says the company. It complies with ASTM D 7596 and a built-in database monitors trends.
www.analysco.co.uk