If you could design any app to help with your work, what would you build?
TLT Sounding Board January 2014
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Viscosity is never far from a tribologist’s mind, and that was certainly the case when we asked our readers to design an app, regardless of its technical feasibility, to help them in their jobs. The No. 1 answer was an app that provided viscosity conversions. Other readers asked for an app to perform similar lubricant-specific calculations, while some sought an app that could cross reference technical data sheets. Several readers said they would build an app for oil-analysis where they could take a sample, send it to the lab and receive a report. Many readers asked for an app that could evaluate a customer’s needs and then recommend a lubricant program. Researchers asked for an app to conduct article searches in peer-reviewed journals. Overall, TLT readers like apps and mobile devices, with two-thirds of them stating that the technology helps them in their personal and professional lives.
A virtual personal assistant.
One that could do viscosity and density calculations, plus cross reference technical data sheets.
A lubricant-application tool to help with product recommendations.
Some program to replace the whole bunch of shopping and membership cards in my wallet.
Something like Flipboard that aggregates different articles from around the Internet so we could have easier access to information and reading material.
An app that would provide regular and continuous updates and improvements for my customer’s lubricants program.
Viscosity unit conversion calculator.
An API gravity-to-pounds or gravity-to-gallons app.
What operating system does your smartphone use?
Apple
60%
Android
40%
Based on responses sent to 13,000 TLT readers.
One that tracks aging customer reports so nothing slips through the cracks.
An app that predicts the viscosity of blended fluids.
One that conducts literature searching and retrievals for journal articles.
One that provides elemental and additive references. An app that searches current and past articles in peer-reviewed journals.
An app that could provide additional battery power to my phone.
One that could capture and tabulate field data in an easily exportable format. It would help, but it’s difficult to get apps installed on corporately owned equipment.
An app that allows direct entry of laboratory project test results.
Regular updates on the lubricant market here in Jamaica.
A viscosity/VI calculator/ converter.
One that is easy to navigate and user friendly. And it should not have a lot of advertisements to distract you from the content of the app.
Something that cross references information on bearings and filters. I’m thinking of a little cheat sheet app that I can put oil sample information into and get a second opinion from my oil testing provider.
Which best sums up your attitude toward mobile devices and apps?
They’re great! They help me in both my professional and personal lives.
67%
They’re OK for other people, but I’m just not too interested in them.
33%
Based on responses sent to 13,000 TLT readers.
Utilities related to lubrication such as viscosity/temperature converters, greasing frequencies calculator, etc.
One that answers all my questions about tribology.
One that performs VI calculations and other quick answers. Updates of ACEA and API specs, technical standards, BIO rules, general handbook stuff. Lots of things could be handy in a smartphone.
A lubricant sample tracker.
Voice recognition and dictation.
Anything that would involve viscosity.
Something that provides assistance in the product application area.
An AP stylebook app that would be a quick reference.
Unit conversions (English to metric, etc.) relative to lubrication.
An IQA code-sharing function.
Something that blocks telemarketer calls and possibly sends an electric charge through the phone in a way that triggers an EMP blast on their end, effectively putting an end to that telemarketer’s headquarters.
A blend sheet traceability and data-collection app.
Technical references and data.
A lubrication survey app.
A comprehensive lubricant cross reference app.
An expense app. We’re working on one now.
Editor’s Note: Sounding Board is based on an e-mail survey of 13,000 TLT readers. Views expressed are those of the respondents and do not reflect the opinions of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers. STLE does not vouch for the technical accuracy of opinions expressed in Sounding Board, nor does inclusion of a comment represent an endorsement of the technology by STLE.