Complex machines used in industries come with hundreds or thousands of moving parts, from gears to pistons that work tirelessly together. However, the movements of these parts often result in friction that can generate heat and, ultimately, damage the equipment. However, you do not have to wait for the equipment to fail because you can use lubrication.

Lubricants help to reduce friction, allowing the moving parts to slide past each other effortlessly without causing excess heat. There are two types of lubrication, manual and automated, but which one is better? Keep reading to learn more about automated lubrication and why it is the best option for your equipment.

Manual Lubrication: Why it is Not Enough

If you do not lubricate your machine, it means that trouble for your motor, pump, shaft, or other device is around the corner. Many people rush into adopting manual lubrication, but it is rarely enough. With manual lubrication, it is always a challenge trying to reach the hidden parts. For example, you might need to open a gear reducer to access and effectively lubricate the moving parts.

In other cases, applying too much lubricant can push up the cost of operations, forcing you to increase the price tag of the products. If the excess oil spills into the surfaces, it can become a health hazard.

The plain truth about manual lubrication is that it is neither reliable nor enough. So, when you have invested so much in industrial equipment, it will be a good idea to go for the better option – automated lubrication.

How Does Automated Lubrication Work?

Automated lubrication system, also known as centralized lubrication, is a method that helps to automate lubricant distribution to different components in the machinery under consideration. For example, you will not have to worry that some parts of the conveyor belt system, from the bearings to rollers, are not properly lubricated.

The automated lubrication system is designed to deliver a controlled amount of lubricant, helping to provide maximum lubrication. Unlike manual lubrication, which is only done when the machines are switched off, the automated system is different. You do not need to turn off the equipment because it is possible to lubricate the moving parts even when the machine is running. Here are the main components of an automated lubrication system:

1. Filters.
2. Check valves.
3. Pressure sensors.
4. Metering devices.
5. Reservoirs.
6. Tubing.
7. Pumps.
8. Controllers.

Special Benefit of Automated Lubrication

Helps to Prevent Contamination

The primary goal of using lubrication is minimizing friction, but there is a risk of compromising this target if the lubricant used is contaminated. Manual lubrication raises the risk of contaminating your system, from bearings to shafts, resulting in issues such as misalignment and bearing brinelling. If you shift to the automated system, the chance of getting the lubricant contaminated is lower because it is changed less often.

A Perfect Way to Keep the Cost Low

Determining the amount of lubricant to apply in a machine is always a challenge. For example, do you stop the motor or pump every two hours to check the lubricant? Instead of worrying about the exact time when to apply the lubricant, why not shift to the automated system? The system uses controllers and sensors that determine the actual amount of lubrication required by your machine. Therefore, you are able to avoid wastage and ultimately keep the cost of lubrication, maintenance and production low.

Saves on Labor Costs

Getting a technician to regularly apply the lubricant, which is likely to include disassembling and reassembling machinery, can easily add a layer of cost to the operation bill. However, you can avoid this cost and enjoy better lubrication through automation. The process is faster and does not result in downtime. Indeed, you can even link the automated lubrication system with the central monitoring system of the facility through programmable logic controllers.

As you can see, lubrication is crucial because it helps ensure the machines in your facility are running optimally. However, you should adopt the automated method of lubricant application because it is more effective and cheaper than the manual method.