Making sure that their machinery is adequately lubricated is one of the most important things an operator can do. A study conducted by a significant component manufacturer shows that improper lubrication accounts for 53% of all bearing failures: unnecessary maintenance costs, and a substantial cause of equipment downtime. Unnecessary maintenance costs include labor to repair or replace bearings, cost of replacement bearings, the impact on meeting customer delivery commitments. These failures are generally known to be caused by contamination of bushings by dust, dirt, and moisture, or an inadequate amount of grease applied to bearings. Using lubricant oil can combat most of these causes. Before we delve into the intricate details, let us get you familiar with the process of lubrication.
What do you understand by lubrication?
Lubrication is the process of ensuring that the equipment keeps moving and your operating costs are reduced. The lack of proper lubrication can cause your machine to suffer from downtime and reduced life. It can in-turn o=impact your company’s bottom line.
Why auto lubrication?
If you own material handling equipment, you must be aware of the importance of automatic lubrication systems. They are uniquely designed to provide consistent lubrication on a more frequent basis. The lubrication used must be in an adequate amount. Too much or too little lubricant will result in heat and friction, thereby creating a drag on the bearing. Lack of lubrication can also damage the bearing’s seals. Auto lubrication provides a safer method of supplying the precise amount of lubrication to bushings, bearings, and other lubrication points when it is needed.
Essential components of automatic lubrication systems
The metering device, controller, pump, fittings, and tubing are some of the components of lubrication systems. There are a lot of other accessories as well for enhancing or complementing the operation of a system. Mining, construction, in-plant manufacturing, food and beverage are some of the industries making the best use of automatic lubrication systems. Commercial Trucks and other machinery are required to use lubrication systems.
- Metering device
A metering device is at the heart of every automatic lubrication system. The fluid in such a lubrication system would take the path of least resistance, leading it to only one of the points. That is when metering devices come into action. They prevent fluid from taking the path of least resistance.
- Pump
The pump provides the flow of oil or grease under pressure to actuate the metering devices. Different pumps offer a variety of flow rates and pressure ranges.
- Controller
A controller runs a program or schedule to dispense lubrication regularly. Some pumps have a built-in controller, but many systems use a controller that is separate from the pump.
- Tubing and fittings
This is one of the most significant parts of an automatic lubrication system. The correct tubing must be used when selecting system components because it needs to be strong enough to handle the pressure developed in the system. And it needs to be of sufficient diameter to allow the oil to flow through it without creating excessive pressure.
Now that we are done with the components of the lubrication system, here are a few reasons why you need to invest in them.
In the next segment, a case will be made for automatic lubrication as an actual necessity—reasons for using a mechanical oil Lubricant.
- Automatic lubrication provides optimal lubrication.
If you indulge in proper maintenance of equipment, you are most likely to prolong the life of the components of your machinery. It even can help you in increasing performance, productivity, and reducing repair costs. Reliable, accurate, and dependable lubrication is the most critical preventive maintenance step in preserving the productivity and life of any fleet. Investing in automatic lubrication systems would be the right choice for you as they provide consistent lubrication on a more frequent basis than manual lubrication. Too much lubrication can create drag, heat and wear, and damaged seals. And too little lubrication creates heat and wear.
- Automatic lubrication is environmentally friendly.
If you are using a heavy-duty truck for industrial operations, you are most likely taking a toll on the environment, especially if your machine is not well-lubricated. To increase energy efficiency, you must use automatic lubrication systems. Using less lubrication is undoubtedly better for the environment. Automatic lubrication tends to apply less lubricant more frequently. It happens to reduce waste and thereby to protect the environment.
- You can trust and rely on automatic lubrication.
When you are into construction, the only concern for you should be the reliability and dependability. If you invest in a manual lubrication plan, it can result in points being missed occasionally or forgotten entirely until something breaks. But, with automatic lubrication, the right amount of lubricant is reaching bearings, joints, and pivots at the right frequency.
- Safer operation is guaranteed with automatic lubrication.
The ideal time to lubricate a bearing is while it is moving, which is obviously a precarious position for the people applying the lubricant. Lubricant points are also often in very hard-to-reach locations. This is most likely to put technicians or operators in risky situations. The automatic lubrication products help equipment owners overcome the cost penalties of conventional manual lubrication. You can quickly and conveniently protect your equipment and your employees by utilizing automatic lubrication in your operation.
- Contaminants are reduced with automatic lubrication operations.
Whatever operating conditions you are succumbed to, there are natural contaminants present. And these contaminants are known to negatively impact lubrication points and cause more wear and tear, especially when manual lubrication methods are adopted. Most of the time, chances are that the lubrication points are not adequately cleaned before manually lubricating, and the coupler used to attach to the point is often dirty too. Automatic lubrication allows the grease to be pumped through a filter before it enters the reservoir of the lubricator. This tends to limit the penetration of contaminants into these lubrication points.
Automatic lubrication holds many more benefits than applying lubricant oil manually. We hope that these reasons are compelling enough for you to invest in automated lubrication systems.
