Lubrication is a misunderstood yet essential part of mining operations
1 May 2020
Other technologies
Lubrication is often the most misunderstood part of mining operations. However, it is one of the most important areas as it is essential to ensure mining equipment remains safe and fully operational. Take wire rope lubrication, for example. Traditional wire rope lubricants are toxic and difficult to apply, often requiring complex and hazardous processes just to prepare the lubricant. Furthermore, wire rope lubricants often fling off during use and drip onto floors and surfaces, causing health and safety risks.
Poor performing wire rope lubricants do not penetrate and lubricate to the core of the wire rope where frictional wear and corrosion is most dangerous, as it is often not visible to the naked eye. This can lead to rope breakages, with serious implications for operational costs, production output and the safety of mining personnel. However, not all wire rope lubricants are made equal. “There are dramatic differences in performance in these key areas between the different wire rope lubricant manufacturers,” notes Victor Strobel, Bearings International (BI) offer marketing manager.
Wire rope lubricants from ROCOL, distributed by BI, solve important issues for mining customers, such as reducing toxicity, making application of the wire rope lubricant much simpler and safer, reducing fling-off and dripping and, most importantly, penetrating to the core of the rope to stop internal corrosion and wear.
Other ROCOL products ideal for the mining industry are dust-resistant bearing greases, as well as high-load greases for crushers, shakers, bucket pins and open gears and conveyors. For gearboxes that run at high temperatures, a high-performance gearbox oil has been designed to reduce frictional heat and wear and reduce gearbox temperature and noise.
BI recently added a ROCOL product designed to eliminate re-torqueing of all types of fasteners on mining and earthmoving equipment. Known as Cross Check, this visual inspection method can assist engineers, operators and foremen to quickly identify loose bolts and nuts, as opposed to the conventional method of checking bolts with a torque wrench, which is time-consuming and labour-intensive.
Another ROCOL product for mining and similar dusty environments is LPS 1, a superior and fast-acting penetrating and lubricating spray that does not attract dust or dirt, unlike traditional multi-purpose penetrating sprays. With washing hands and cleaning surfaces more important than ever before due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Scrubs is a large ultra-heavy duty industrial disposable wipe ideal for the mining industry, as no water, soap or drying is required. It can be used to clean hands, surfaces and tools prior to using a disinfectant.
“Customers receive the perfect combination of both superior product performance from 140 years of technological advancement in lubrications from ROCOL, combined with BI’s superb aftersales support and stockholding, available nationally through a comprehensive network of branches. This ensures direct support between the customer and manufacturer, while reducing on-site stockholding and stores management,” Strobel concludes.
Further reading:
Regular maintenance of cutting fluids is essential to maintain quality
Other technologies
Regular cleaning and maintenance of cutting fluid systems significantly enhances overall efficiency by extending the life of the cutting fluids, reducing downtime and improving the quality of the end products.
Read more...
Rethinking common approaches to wire rope lubrication
Other technologies
: Wire ropes are hard-working components in many different applications, from mines to lifts, ports, construction sites and drainage systems. Correct lubrication of wire ropes is absolutely critical because wire ropes are more than just cables, they are intricate machines composed of interdependent parts in constant motion.
Read more...
Monitoring vibration allows for equipment longevity
Iritron
Other technologies
Unscheduled downtime and maintenance on machines is often a source of frustration for many companies active in industrial manufacturing as it results in loss of process and productivity, which in turn equates to loss of revenue.
Read more...
Quantum refrigerator paves way for reliable quantum computers
Other technologies
Quantum computers require extreme cooling to perform reliable calculations. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and the University of Maryland, USA, have engineered a new type of refrigerator that can autonomously cool superconducting qubits to record low temperatures, paving the way for more reliable quantum computation.
Read more...
Next-gen battery-driven grease gun
SKF South Africa
Other technologies
SKF’s innovative TLGB 21 battery-driven grease gun optimises lubrication efficiency and reduces costs, by seamlessly combining advanced technology with a smart, rugged design.
Read more...
First recyclable plastic bicycle frame
igus
Other technologies
Industrial polymer developer and manufacturer, igus has unveiled the first injection-moulded polymer bicycle frame designed for advanced bikes, marking a major milestone in sustainable mobility
Read more...
Vibration test system supports international space industry
TANDM Technologies
Other technologies
Dragonfly Aerospace has launched EOS SAT-1, one of seven satellites in the world’s first agricultural-focused constellation. With optimisation of resources being a key component for Dragonfly, it called on TANDM to assist in creating and heavily expanding its environmental testing capabilities by providing a vibration test system that allowed it to perform in-house vibration and shock testing.
Read more...
RS PRO a key partner for planned maintenance
RS South Africa
Other technologies
RS PRO, the own-brand of RS, offers a comprehensive selection of over 80 000 products spanning all industries and technologies.
Read more...
Addressing water conservation challenges
Other technologies
A recent report by the University of California underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies to improve water conservation efforts. David Strain, director at Technidrive, and an expert on integrated automation systems, explains why quarrying thickeners have emerged as a promising solution.
Read more...
Oil quality sensors for lubrication management
Other technologies
In an era where operational efficiency and machine health are critical, oil quality sensors are indispensable tools for successful lubrication management.
Read more...
printer friendly version