What is an automatic lubrication system?
I. Advantages and benefits of automatic lubrication systems
- Every position, component and lubrication point is reached and lubricated
- Lubricant is distributed evenly
- Safe machine operation is ensured
- Extends component and machine life while reducing replacement and maintenance costs
- Improves worker safety
- Reduces friction -> lower energy consumption
- Increases overall productivity and production capability
- Improves the environment by reducing waste.
II. Components of an automatic lubrication system
A typical basic lubrication system consists of the following specific components:
- Controller and timer – activates the system so that the lubrication dispensing function is linked to the POS system. This enables precise timing and control of the lubricant quantity
- Pump with reservoir – stores and supplies lubricant
- Lines – system lines connect the pump to metering valves or injectors. Lubricant is pumped through the lines.
- Metering valves / injectors – measure and distribute lubricant to machine points.
- Supply lines – connect metering valves or injectors to the points requiring lubrication
III. The most common types of automatic lubrication systems today
Single-point automatic lubrication
The correct amount of grease delivered at the right time is essential for bearings to achieve high performance. Understanding this, SKF’s expert teams have worked continuously to develop products that deliver precise, contamination-free grease and minimize lubrication risks. SKF automatic lubricators, including SKF System 24 and SKF Multipoint lubrication, supply the precise amount of grease 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year. All you need to do is set the automatic timer.
Advantages
- Significantly saves the time and labor required for manual lubrication
- Enables easy control of the amount of grease used in each application
Single-line lubrication system
SKF also offers the SKF MonoFlex product range and the components of Lincoln’s Centro-Matic system, including pumps, dividers, control and monitoring equipment, and accessories. In all applications, the principle of single-line lubrication is that a central pump station supplies lubricant to the applications through a single supply line and on to the dividers. Each divider serves one lubrication point and can be adjusted to deliver the most accurate amount of grease or oil. The system can serve one machine, different areas of one machine, or even several separate machines
Advantages:
- Easy to use, install and maintain
- Available in both preset and adjustable versions
- Suitable for most lubricants
- Easy to expand the system
- Continues operating if one lubrication point becomes blocked
- Integrated monitoring and control system
- Can pump over long distances and across a wide temperature range.
Dual-line lubrication system
SKF’s dual-line automatic lubrication systems include SKF DuoFlex and Lincoln Helios. They are specially designed for large machinery with many lubrication points, allowing lubrication over long distances and under harsh operating conditions. Typical applications include heavy industry, metal processing plants, pulp and paper, mining, mineral processing, cement plants, cranes, power plants and sugar mills. The system consists of two main lines that alternately supply lubricant.
Advantages:
- Extremely well suited to many lubrication points over long distances
- Highly suitable for high-viscosity lubricating grease
- Very flexible adjustment of divider flow rates
- Parallel divider layouts allow simple system design
Progressive lubrication system
SKF ProFlex and Lincoln QuickLub progressive systems typically distribute small quantities of lubricant at regular intervals while the machine is operating. The grease generated by the pump is proportioned in the progressive divider and distributed to each bearing according to its needs. This automatic lubrication system is designed to provide a simple, cost-effective way to automate lubrication of bearings, pins and bushings.
Advantages:
- Delivers a metered quantity of grease cyclically to each lubrication point
- System blockages are easy to monitor and check
- Integrated monitoring and control system
Multi-line lubrication system
Multi-line lubrication systems include SKF MultiFlex and Lincoln 205 and 215 systems, supplying lubricant directly to lubrication points without additional dividers. Each lubrication point has its own piston. The systems are simple, accurate and reliable for demanding applications in machine tools, oil and gas, and heavy industry.
SKF and Lincoln multi-line lubrication systems include a range of pumps with 1 to 32 outlets and can generate system pressure of up to 5,076 psi. They operate across a wide temperature range and are used to pump grease up to NLGI #3 consistency
Advantages
- Durable and long-lasting
- Continuous lubrication for machinery operating in harsh environments
Circulating oil lubrication system
SKF circulating oil lubrication systems circulate lubricating oil and cool bearings in many machines used in the paper, pulp and heavy industries. They are also effective at removing dirt, water and air bubbles.
Advantages
- Air-eliminating design extends lubricant life
- Modular design can be expanded easily.
- Accurate oil flow dividers
- Cost-effective.
Oil-and-air lubrication system
Lincoln ORSCO oil-and-air lubrication systems are designed specifically for high-speed bearings, spindles, racks and special applications in the steel industry.
A pump, progressive divider or single-line divider injects a small, metered quantity of oil into a mixing valve. Compressed air slowly carries the oil to the lubrication point and continuously supplies a small flow of oil and air to the bearing or chain.
SKF oil-and-air lubrication systems are designed to the user’s requirements and use oil-film sensor technology for monitoring
Advantages
– Continuously supplies a precisely metered oil flow
– Protects bearings from dirt
– Produces no oil mist
Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) and Microdosage systems.
SKF MQL systems for machining processes use oil droplets dispersed in an air stream to deliver a precisely minimal amount of lubricant between the cutting tool and workpiece.
Advantages:
– Can reduce total production time by up to 30% and significantly increase cutting-tool life.
– Contributes to more precise cutting, better surface quality and a more environmentally friendly workplace.
SKF MDS is a system with an intelligent Microdosage divider for demanding applications. Precisely matched components, high-precision valves, micro-flow sensors and sophisticated controls enable it to deliver an accurate amount of lubricant and monitor it minute by minute.
Advantages:
– Extremely energy-efficient
– Significant cost savings compared with conventional systems.
For details of automatic and industrial lubrication system products, visit: Ldtvn.com
LDT Vietnam – Authorized SKF lubrication distributor in Vietnam
Hotline: 024 668 0598 – Tel: 0948068692
Address: No. 11, Lane 68 Trung Kinh, Yen Hoa, Cau Giay, Hanoi
