Publisher's Note

The sales volumes of the lubricant segment in India rolled over the 2.6 million tonnes mark, with year-on-year growth at a sluggish four per cent. Low market growth has been attributed primarily to the entry of high performance long lasting lubricants and superior engine technology availability in the domestic segment.

The automotive sector constitutes the largest segment of the lubricant market in India, accounting for about 60 per cent of its sales while the industrial segment consumes the balance 40 per cent.
Among other drivers for improvements in engine technology in the last few years are tougher environmental laws. The cover story in this issue of Machinery Lubrication India, therefore, offers insights on "Optimizing Oil Drain Intervals (ODI) in Heavy Duty Vehicles".

From an earlier recommended oil drain mileage of as low as 500 miles to the current level of even over 50,000 miles, it has been a long journey for the industry. With many lubricating oil manufacturing companies professing a specifi c drain interval mileage, the article is intended to assist readers understand factors governing ODI such as engine design, age, conditions, driving pattern and oil properties. It also gives fleet owners better insight on optimizing the oil drain interval.

In addition to industry news, base oil statistics and prices in the past few months, this issue of Machinery Lubrication India carries articles on greases, vibration and oil analysis, contamination control, base oil groupsand a mnanagement of complex hydraulic problems.

We at Machinery Lubrication India are pleasantly surprised at the overwhelming response to our magazine from educational and research organisations. On popular request we are introducing a section "Campus News" in this magazine to accommodate articles from budding lubrication engineers and tribologists. The first is an article by "Team Manipal Racing" from Manipal University. These young engineers did a commendable job by conceptualizing, designing and manufacturing an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a shoe-string budget. Congratulations, Team Manipal Racing!

We look forward to your support and feedback to enable us to improve the content and layout of Machinery Lubrication India.

Warm regards,

Udey Dhir