Maintaining machines is the most difficult part of manufacturing. Although the machine manufacturers may suggest many things in their user manuals, these suggestions are not valid under all circumstances. Your machinery might be operating in a completely different environment, so you will need to decide how to maintain it and what industrial lubricant is best for the job.
There are many industrial lubricants available. It is important to consider which type of industrial lubricant would be best suited for your environment and give your machine a longer life span.
- Correct Technology
- Correct Quantity
- The correct frequency
- Proper Procedures
1) Correct Technology
The technology of industrial lubricants refers to the environment where your machinery works. It is important to determine the speed, temperature, and load of your machinery. The base oil of the lubricant is determined by the temperature. The viscosity is determined by the speed. The additive package for industrial lubricants is determined by load, vibration, moisture, and dust.
Viscosity refers to the ability of an industrial oil to resist flow. The viscosity must decrease as the speed and temperature of the machine increase. To reduce friction, the lubricant should be thick enough to form a layer. For surfaces with poor speed, semi-solid lubricants such as greases or oils made from thickeners like lithium may be a good option.
The application environment is also important. If the machine will be subject to water contact often, then a low-water washout lubricant and high corrosion resistance would be necessary. A highly viscous oil-based grease with high load capacity would be ideal for equipment that operates under extreme pressures or low speeds.
2) Correct Quantity
It is just as important to choose the right amount of lubrication. Under or over-greasing can have devastating consequences. The American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA) states that 64% of bearing failures are caused by insufficient or excessive lubrication. You need to know how many lubricants, oils, and greases you should use each time your machine requires re-greasing.
3) The Correct Frequency
The frequency with which you lubricate your bearings can have a big impact on their performance. There are two options for re-greasing your bearings: manual or automatic. Be aware that excessive lubrication in the wrong quantities and with the wrong lubricants can cause cancer in your machine.
Over-greasing can raise temperatures, while under-greasing may increase friction and make it less able to support the load. Bearing failures can occur in either case. After assessing the environment, it is important to decide how often you should re-grease. Your bearings can be protected by the right type of grease, in the right amount, and at the right time.
4) Correct Procedures
Once you have chosen the correct lubricant, it is necessary to set up a process so that all maintenance personnel can follow proper lubrication. You should include a lubrication plan in your regular maintenance procedures.
Tips to Help Choose the Best Industrial Lubricant
We’ve talked a lot about factors that influence the selection of appropriate industrial oils and greases. These are some additional tips that will help you make informed decisions.
- Function: Lubricants can perform many functions, including controlling wear and tear and corrosion, friction, temperature, contamination, and friction. You should research the functionality of a lubricant under various circumstances before you choose one.
- Ingredients Depending on the purpose of the lubricant they may contain multiple ingredients other than the base oil. The grease’s thickeners contain fibers that hold the oil in place and increase its viscosity. Different thickeners can have different effects on the stability, pumpability, and heat resistance of the lubricant.
- Usability: The method of applying different lubricants depends on the equipment. Aerosol lubricants might be sufficient for places that are difficult to reach. For accessible gearboxes, greases may be used. A continuous dispenser can be used for chains, but an automatic dispenser is better for difficult-to-reach places. You should choose the right lubricant for your needs.
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