Three lubrication myths that need busting
1 August 2020
Editor's Choice
As specialists in lubrication reliability solutions, the team at Lubrication Engineers (LE) South Africa frequently comes up against myths relating to lubricants. “People believe things or are taught things about oils and greases that are not necessarily true, and by implementing this bad advice or outdated practices, they risk compromising their equipment,” says national marketing manager, Callum Ford. “We try to educate the market about best practice to help raise the bar and fight misinformation.”
These are the three most common myths the company comes up against:
1. The colour of a lubricant affects its efficacy
“We often have people phoning us up and saying things like, ‘I want the red lubricant because it’s the best.’ In truth, the colour of a lubricant is normally something that is added as a marketing tactic or to differentiate it from other products – it has no bearing on the effectiveness of the lubricant itself,” says Ford. “The most important aspect of lubrication choice is selecting a product that is best suited for your particular application.”
Ford explains that LE South Africa uses colour in its products to differentiate between product types. Edible lubricants are white; lithium-based lubricants are yellow; open-gear lubricants are purple; and lubricants for cars and trucks (especially oils) are red. Some companies, on the other hand, will colour lubricants to match their brand colours.
2. Grease it until it leaks
Ford says that this line of thinking holds that greasing machinery with more lubricant means you will have to re-apply the product less often. However, overlubricating can create problems instead of resolving them.
“Overgreasing equipment will mean the lubricant begins to work against itself, causing internal friction,” he explains. “This can lead to temperatures rising in the machine, seals collapsing, and even eventual equipment failure. For optimal performance, you need the right lubricant applied at the right frequency and in the right dosage. This is why lubrication schedules are important, and why many companies are moving to single-point lubrication systems, which automatically dispense lubrication into machinery in optimal quantities at set intervals.”
3. A grease is a grease
Not all greases are created equal. Some are the consistency of honey; others of peanut butter; still others of toffee. Naturally, these greases will behave differently.
“When it comes to grease viscosity, there is a scale created by the National Grease Lubricating Institute (NLGI) ranging from 000 to 6, representing very low to very high viscosity greases,” says Ford. “Equipment manufacturers will specify the NLGI grade required on the equipment. If it specifies NLGI 002 and you’re using NLGI 3, you’re going to run into problems, because the grease penetration is different.
“Furthermore, even greases with the same NLGI rating will behave differently depending on the base and additives with which they are made. “For example, I use a test machine we call a ‘rat trap’ to show clients how two lubricants with the same NLGI grade react to the same force or pressure over time. The one lubricant disperses from the joint where it’s been applied much quicker than the other, loses its tackiness and heats up far more quickly. This is why we take the time to understand what the specific lubrication application is, and what a customer needs before we recommend a product. Each of our unique, proprietary additives has been designed to yield specific benefits.”
Further reading:
Planar motor system for quality assurance
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Achieving the shortest possible inspection times, even when working with different components, is paramount when it comes to series production. This is precisely what special machine builder, stoba Sondermaschinen set out to achieve with its InspectorONE optical inspection system, which is based on deep learning and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core.
Read more...
Robotic solution for adhesive tape application with flexible control
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Robotics & Mechatronics
In industry, even elaborate processes, such as the application of adhesive tape to parts with varying geometries are automated. Innovative Automation has developed a platform with Beckhoff control technology and a remote feeding module, which increases productivity and enables flexible customisation for different requirements.
Read more...
The world’s most powerful worm
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Geothermal energy from the natural heat of the Earth is an inexhaustible resource, yet the growth of the global geothermal power sector lags behind other renewable energies. Now Swiss startup, Borobotics is hoping to speed this up with its innovative new electric-powered geothermal drilling robot, which can be used to fast-track and lower the cost of heat pump installations in confined spaces.
Read more...
Problem solving under pressure
Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice
The greatest strength of Axiom Hydraulics lies in the company’s ability to solve complex problems and adapt systems to meet unique challenges. This capability stems from two key factors: the diverse experience of its team members, which spans decades across multiple disciplines, and their unwavering dedication to their clients.
Read more...
New AI advisor for robot selection
igus
Editor's Choice Robotics & Mechatronics
igus’ new AI chatbot has been added to the online platform RBTX.com. The interactive consultant is designed to enable companies with little previous experience and technological expertise to quickly and reliably put together low-cost automation solutions to becoming more competitive.
Read more...
Compressed air treatment do’s and don’ts
Artic Driers International
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
As a long-established importer and manufacturer of air dryers, Artic Dryers often sees the results of poor installation and issues with aftercoolers that create serious problems in air drying systems.
Read more...
Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle
Siemens South Africa
Editor's Choice
The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.
Read more...
Celebrating 65 years: rebuilding and redefining its legacy
Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice News & events
Founded in 1959 by Neill Simpson, Axiom Hydraulics has grown into one of South Africa’s elite hydraulic companies. Over the past six and a half decades they’ve weathered many challenges, but none as devastating as the fire of 2023.
Read more...
Monitoring the health of systems
SA Gauge
Editor's Choice Shaft power components
Pressure and temperature gauges are vital instruments in various industries. However, they are susceptible to failures that can compromise their accuracy and reliability. When these gauges fail, the consequences can be severe.
Read more...
PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...
printer friendly version