Lubrication Apprentice Technician

•  
• Requirements
• Requirements
•  
• Body Of Knowledge
• Body Of Knowledge
•  
• Domain Of Knowledge
• Domain Of Knowledge
•  
• Requirements for Recertification
• Requirements for Recertification
•  

To become certified, an individual must meet the following requirements:

• Education and/or Experience - Candidates are NOT required to have formal classroom training or education or any specified interval of on-the-job experience. Candidates should exercise their judgment, along with input from instructors and/or employment supervisors, as they assess their proficiency and competence with respect to the LAT Body of Knowledge from an educational and experiential point of view.

• Training - Candidates are NOT required to have documented formal training in machinery lubrication as outlined in the Body of Knowledge of the LAT. However, study guides, formal in-person training, online or recorded training, exercises, practice exams, and review exercises modeled after the LAT Body of Knowledge may be helpful and are encouraged and recommended to assist in the accumulation of pertinent knowledge.

Note: ICML does not require, recommend, endorse or authorize any specific training course as official or approved. It is the responsibility of each candidate to research the training options available in his/her area and make a decision as to the training provider of his/her choice. ICML recommends the outline of the course of choice be compared to the exam's Body of Knowledge. It is in the person's best interest and their responsibility as an ICML candidate to ensure they are being trained in the same subject areas in which they will be tested. It is also the candidate’s responsibility to ensure each instructor is currently certified at the level of instruction. (Candidates can do this by checking for an instructor’s name in our real-time directory of certified professionals.) ICML's Bodies of Knowledge are of public domain and can be utilized by companies in the development of courses, as well as by any prospective candidate for evaluating the appropriateness of chosen training.

• Examination - Each candidate must successfully pass a 70-question multiple-choice examination that evaluates the candidate's knowledge of the topic. Candidates have two (2) hours to complete the closed-book examination. A score of 70% is required to pass the examination and achieve certification.

The LAT Body of Knowledge is an outline of concepts that one should have in order to pass the exam.

References from which exam questions were derived can be found in the Domain of Knowledge.

I. Lubrication Theory (15%)

    A. Why machines need lubrication

          i. Machine types (E.g., Gearbox, pump, hydraulics)

          ii. Bearing construction

               1. Open, shielded, and sealed

               2. Roller types

               3. Plain bearings

    B. Understand functions of lubricants

          i. Reduce friction between moving parts

          ii. Dissipate heat generated by friction

          iii. Minimize wear and extend component life

          iv. Seal out contaminants and moisture

          v. Prevent rust and corrosion

          vi. Power transmission

    C. Viscosity

          i. Requirement changes based on speed, load, and temperature

          ii. Importance of viscosity index (VI)

II. Lubricants (17%)

    A. Lubricant Types (Oil, Grease, and Solid Film)

          i. Oils – liquid lubricants used in engines, gearboxes, and hydraulics.

               1. Base Oils and Additives (mineral vs synthetic)

               2. Additives and their functions (Basic Awareness)

          ii. Greases – semi-solid lubricants for bearings and slow-speed applications

               1. Grease Composition

               2. Common Thickeners

                    a. Compatibility/Incompatibility

               3. NLGI Grades

          iii. Solid lubricants: Graphite, Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS₂), PTFE for extreme dry environments

III. Lubricant Applications (17%)

    A. Lubrication Methods (Manual and Automatic)

    B. Greasing Techniques and Best Practices (Quantity, Frequency, and Cleanliness)

    C. Basic calculations for determining required lubricant volume

    D. Basic calculations to determine re-lube and change frequencies

    E. Ultrasound lubrication (Basic Awareness)

IV. Lubricant Sampling/Analysis Basics (20%)

    A. Oil Sampling Process

          i. Sample port locations

          ii. Sampling admin (E.g. Proper completion of the oil sample label)

          iii. Proper Sampling Techniques (to avoid sample contamination)

    B. Oil Sampling and Visual Inspection Basics (Machine and Oil)

          i. Visual Checks – color, clarity, foam, and sediment.

          ii. Recognizing early failure signs: discolored oil, metallic sheen, sludge, or varnish.

    C. Temperature, noise, and vibration can indicate lubrication problems.

V. Lubricant Condition Control (21%)

    A. Basics of Contamination Control

          i. ISO Cleanliness Codes – acceptable cleanliness levels

          ii. Very minor contamination can reduce equipment life

    B. Major Contaminants

          i. Particles

          ii. Water

          iii. Air

          iv. Fuel

          v. Process Chemicals

          vi. Cross-Contamination

    C. Effects of Contamination

VI. Lubricant Storage Management (10%)

    A. Lubricant Reception Best Practice

    B. Lube Storage and Handling Best Practices.

          i. Store lubricants in clean, temperature-controlled areas

          ii. Avoid cross-contamination (storage and application)

          iii. Adherence to proper dispensing and transfer procedures

    C. Lubricant Identification Systems

Domain of Knowledge

• Bannister, K. (2007) Lubrication for Industry, Industrial Press, Inc., New York, USA.
• Bloch, H., Bannister, K. (2017) Practical Lubrication for Industrial Facilities, - 3rd Edition. The Fairmont Press, Lilburn, Georgia, USA.
• Hodges, P. (1996) Hydraulic Fluids. Arnold Publish, London, England, UK and John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, USA.
• Landsdown, A. (1996) Lubrication and Lubricant Selection. Mechanical Engineering Publication, Ltd., London, England, UK.
• Scott, R., Fitch J., & Leugner, L. (2012) The Practical Handbook of Machinery Lubrication, Noria Publishing, Tulsa, OK USA
• NLGI, (2017) Lubricating Grease Guide, 6th ed., The National Lubricating Grease Institute, Kansas City, MO USA
• Pirro, D. M., & Wessol, A. A. (2016) Lubrication Fundamentals, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, USA
• The Lubrication Engineer's Manual, (2010) Association of Iron and Steel Engineers, Pittsburgh, PA USA
• Troyer, D., & J. Fitch (2010) Oil Analysis Basics. Noria Publishing, Tulsa, OK USA

ICML Certification is valid for three (3) years from the date of issue. Individuals certified as Lubrication Apprentice Technicians (LATs) may NOT recertify this credential. The purpose of recertification is to ensure that certified individuals keep their skills current and up to date. However, in the case of an apprentice designated LAT certification, holders of the LAT certification are expected to increase their training and on-the-job experience in a manner supportive of pursuing an MLT I and/or MLA I certification as the next step in their career advancement endeavors.

Loading…