Developing custom lubrication solutions
1 August 2020
Editor's Choice
The right lubricant, consistently applied at the right interval, goes a long way in extending plant life, minimising downtime and maximising the usefulness of machinery. This is why Lubrication Engineers (LE) suggests businesses engage a specialist lubrication consultant to help put in place the ideal lubrication schedule and complete reliability solution.
“A lubrication consultant should be able to identify problem areas related to lubrication,” says lubrication consultant, Jurie Reichel. “For example, when I evaluate open gear applications, these could include things like vibrations that are too high, a decibel rating that’s over spec or excessively high temperatures.”
After compiling a report on the challenges a client is experiencing, Reichel checks what lubrication products are in use. “Nine times out of 10, the wrong lubricant is being used,” he says. “I also inspect how the product is being applied. Improper lubrication application can cause problems – even if you are using the right product. For example, over-greasing a bearing can actually cause internal friction within the lubricant, which is the opposite of what you want.”
Signs that lubricant is being incorrectly applied include grease leaking out through seals and the smell of fluid friction. With oils, the sight glass will reveal milky oil, dirt or oil leakage on the seals or at the breather.
After making an obligation-free assessment, LE South Africa supplies companies with a recommendation form, which makes suggestions on changes to lubrication products, application and schedules and sometimes lubrication management systems (for example, automatic lubrication dispensing equipment) that will help to solve the problems identified.
“The changes I recommend most often with regard to open gear equipment include lowering the pulses on the spray system for a month to see whether or not there is a difference in vibration and noise,” says Reichel. “If not, I suggest switching over to the LE Duolec 1609 gear oil to clean off the existing product without needing to shut off the machinery. Then I would advise running an NDT test on the gear, as well as an alignment check. Then, switch over to LE’s Pyroshield 9011 – which is specifically designed as an open gear oil. I then play with the pulses until we find a normal vibration reading, get the noise down to a level where the decibels are in spec, and the temperature is consistent. Generally, this approach fixes all the issues and often results in a cost saving for the client. Once they are applying the right lubricant at the right time, they need to use less, and less often.”
Other considerations that can affect lubrication efficacy include incorrect storage. “We found that 90% of lubrication contamination happens before the lubricant reaches the machinery,” says Reichel. “We therefore help our clients to address any problems in their lubrication storage as well as the actual lubrication of their equipment.”
He emphasises that when it comes to lubrication for different businesses, there is no one-size-fits-all solution “Each client is unique in the way they function and what problems they have,” he says. “We design programmes specifically to accommodate the needs of and solve the issues for the customers we do business with. We will also accommodate the budget the client has available and do our best to assist, whatever the circumstances.”
Further reading:
PC-based control for additive machine tools
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
A guide to common hydraulic system contaminants
CT Hydraulics (Nqoba)
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Every engineer, machine designer and maintenance professional understands that the heart of any reliable hydraulic system is its fluid. But the moment that fluid is compromised, your system’s life expectancy and your peace of mind drop dramatically.
Read more...
Compressed air piping design
Artic Driers International
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
When designing a compressed air pipeline, remember that size matters. The internal size of the pipe, along with the pressure and air volume, determine the velocity of the compressed air in the pipeline.
Read more...
Top questions about pressure gauges
SA Gauge
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
Some questions never go out of date, and in our industry, a few have been asked for decades. At SA Gauge, we hear them every week. Here are the ten questions we hear most often, and the practical answers that can save time, money and frustration.
Read more...
A technological leap with the proportional valve terminal
Festo South Africa
Editor's Choice
Festo continually makes bold technological leaps to keep pace with global advancements. Controlled Pneumatics is redefining the boundaries of compressed air technology to meet the demands of today’s most advanced applications.
Read more...
PC-based control optimises robotic parts handling on plastics machinery
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice
NEO is a cartesian robot developed by INAUTOM Robótica in Portugal for parts removal on plastics machinery. Its aim is to increase system productivity. NAUTOM Robótica has entered into a strategic partnership with Bresimar Automação to increase the working speed of the cartesian robots using advanced control and motion solutions from Beckhoff. The result is a comprehensive, future-proof automation solution for its entire family of cartesian robots.
Read more...
Heavy impact, smart control
Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Every now and then a project lands on your desk that’s equal parts heavy machinery and fine control - a tantalising mix for any engineer. A client approached Axiom Hydraulics with a project exactly like this.
Read more...
Driving fluid power forward
Editor's Choice
The National Fluid Power Association is developing its latest Industrial Technology Roadmap for 2025, showing how hydraulics and pneumatics are changing to meet new industrial demands.
Read more...
World’s hottest engine
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Scientists have built the world’s smallest engine. It’s also the world’s hottest. It could provide an unparalleled understanding of the laws of thermodynamics on a small scale, and provide the foundation for a new, efficient way to compute how proteins fold.
Read more...
Reinventing the wheel
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Once a curiosity in the early automotive age, in-wheel motors are now re-emerging with real promise. From electric cars to commercial vehicles and even aircraft, they are on the verge of transforming transportation engineering.
Read more...
printer friendly version