Automatic bearing lubrication can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention the problems you can prevent. In today's post, we're going to talk about the importance of bearing lubrication and look at when manual and automatic bearing lubrication is preferable!
You can't do without maintenance
Greasing and oiling is a crucially important maintenance operation. One in two machine and equipment failures is caused by maintenance and operational deficiencies, which then cost the company a significant amount of money to repair. But with the right attention, these problems can be avoided.
By using different lubrication techniques, friction between surfaces can be reduced, thus preventing major wear. Automatic lubrication allows water and dirt to be kept out, which is of great importance in terms of preserving the condition of the surface. The reduced friction of the surfaces means that components will not heat up as much and noise during operation will be reduced.
Basic principles of bearing lubrication
However, the way and manner in which bearings are lubricated is not always the same. There are certain principles that should be kept in mind during the operation. Let's see what they are!
Accuracy
It is essential that the amount of lubricant used during lubrication is exactly the amount needed. Any more and you will end up with a surplus, and any less and the lubrication will be worthless and the desired results will not be met.
Regularity
It is not enough to lubricate a bearing once. Like all maintenance work, it should be done from time to time. Ideally, it should be done regularly, before it is too late and the parts become damaged.
Thoroughness
Completeness and thoroughness is an essential principle. We cannot complete the procedure by refilling a few lubrication points, this must be done at each one for a good result.
Even in extreme conditions
There may be extreme circumstances when a careless machine operator might think that bearing lubrication is not worth the trouble. However, this is not the right approach, as lubrication must be carried out even in extreme conditions.
Manual and automatic bearing lubrication
Bearing lubrication can be done in two ways, manual and automatic. Let's see what you need to know about them!
Manual bearing lubrication
Manual lubrication can be carried out on a stationary machine. In these cases, the bearings are not moving, so the lubricant cannot get into the friction surfaces. Therefore, when the machine is started, the surfaces are still running dry at the beginning. Manual lubrication is done with grease, which wears out over time and can introduce contaminants that can damage the bearing. With manual lubrication, dosing is a big problem. Overfilling or even missing a lubrication cycle or a lubrication point often occurs.
Automatic bearing lubrication
Automatic lubrication is also possible on a machine that works in the opposite way to a manual lubricator, so the lubricant can immediately get into the friction surfaces and "do its job" by movement. In this case, the lubricant is dispensed in dense cycles and is constantly replenished in small quantities, which helps to keep contaminants out and ensures that the lubricant is always fresh.
The automatic bearing lubrication ensures uniform lubrication, which happens automatically after set-up. An environmentally friendly solution that is also cost-effective, as it uses only the lubricant that is actually needed.
How long a piece of equipment has to stand still is important for the operation of the machines, because saving time also saves money. With automatic lubrication, downtime for maintenance can be significantly reduced and the time that the machine can be used can be increased.
Automatic lubrication is a much more efficient solution than manual lubrication, saving more than a quarter of maintenance and operating costs. Make your choice for cost savings and contact the Makrofilt team who will help you put it into practice!
