Lubrication and maintenance

Q: Main functions of lubrication:

Avoidance of friction: The lubricants form a thin film on the surfaces of machine components that separates these components from each other to minimize friction and abrasion.Heat dissipation: Lubricants absorb heat generated by friction, ensuring better temperature control and helping to prevent machine parts from overheating.Corrosion protection and sealing: Lubricants protect metal surfaces from rust and seal certain mechanical elements such as bearings by acting as a barrier.

Q: Effects of incorrect lubrication:

Increased wear: Incorrect or insufficient lubrication can lead to increased wear and faster breakdowns.Malfunctions and failures: In gearboxes or hydraulic systems, this can lead to partial failures or even complete system failures (total loss).Increased costs: Insufficient lubrication not only leads to possible downtimes, but also to higher maintenance and repair costs.

Lubrication and regular maintenance

Lubrication and regular maintenance are crucial for extending the service life of machines, reducing downtime, increasing energy efficiency and, as a result, saving money.

Why is lubrication important?

Without sufficient lubrication, friction and wear occur. This can lead to reduced performance and ultimately to failures.
Lubrication is particularly relevant in production facilities that are expected to run 24/7. In gearboxes, hydraulic systems and other machine components, correct lubrication is essential to ensure smooth operation.

Main functions of lubrication:

Avoidance of friction: The lubricants form a thin film on the surfaces of machine components that separates these components from each other to minimize friction and abrasion.
Heat dissipation: Lubricants absorb heat generated by friction, ensuring better temperature control and helping to prevent machine parts from overheating.
Corrosion protection and sealing: Lubricants protect metal surfaces from rust and seal certain mechanical elements such as bearings by acting as a barrier.

Effects of incorrect lubrication:

Increased wear: Incorrect or insufficient lubrication can lead to increased wear and faster breakdowns.
Malfunctions and failures: In gearboxes or hydraulic systems, this can lead to partial failures or even complete system failures (total loss).
Increased costs: Insufficient lubrication not only leads to possible downtimes, but also to higher maintenance and repair costs.

Choosing the right lubricant: Gearbox

Different types of lubricants: greases, oils, synthetic lubricants – each product has its own special areas of application! Therefore, the choice of lubricant should always be application-specific.

and taking into account the following criteria:

It’s all about the specifications
Choosing the right lubricant for production equipment such as gearboxes, hydraulic systems or other machine components is one of the most important decisions that can affect the service life and efficiency of the equipment. However, it is crucial to focus not on the brand name of the lubricant, but on the exact specifications provided by the machine manufacturer.

Why specifications and parameters are crucial:

ViscosityThe viscosity describes the flow properties of the lubricant and must be adapted to the operating conditions of the machine. A lubricant with the wrong viscosity can either be too thin and not provide sufficient protection, or too thick and thus impair the efficiency of the machine. The viscosity is related to the operating temperature, which is why machine manufacturers provide precise recommendations.
Base oilLubricants can be based on different base oils, such as mineral oils, fully synthetic PAO oils or semi-synthetic mixtures. Each base oil has specific properties, e.g. in terms of temperature resistance, oxidation stability and frictional properties.
We will be happy to advise you on which products are permissible, optimal or ideal for your applications based on the manufacturer’s specifications.
Miscibility (e.g. with PG oils or greases in closed bearings): Some machines require lubricants that are miscible with each other (e.g. when using ester or PG oils). Correct miscibility ensures that the lubricant is able to maintain its protective properties under different operating conditions. An incorrect mixture can lead to undesirable chemical reactions and have a negative impact on the performance or service life of the machine.
Purity class: The purity of the lubricant is another important factor. Particles or impurities in the lubricant can impair the functioning of the machines, especially for high-precision machines or those with tight tolerances. Machine manufacturers therefore give precise recommendations for the cleanliness class of the lubricant to ensure optimum performance and longevity of the machines.

Why the brand of lubricant is of secondary importance

Although there are a variety of lubricant suppliers, it is not the name of the manufacturer that matters, but how well the lubricant matches the specific requirements of the machine. A lubricant from a lesser known supplier can be just as effective or even better than a product from a leading brand supplier, as long as it meets the required specifications.
It is important that the lubricant meets the parameters specified by the machine manufacturer to ensure the best possible protection and maximum efficiency of the system. A lubricant that is precisely matched to the requirements helps to minimize friction, protect the machine from overheating and extend its service life, regardless of which manufacturer produces the oil or grease.

When choosing the right lubricant, the technical specification and not the brand name is paramount!

Provided that the quality of the lubricant supplied remains constant and actually corresponds to the values specified in the technical product data sheet

Maintenance tips - Lubricant management

Lubricants have a certain service life depending on their condition, which depends on both the quality of the lubricant itself and the respective application (operating temperature and special loads, etc.).
Regular maintenance is essential in order to follow the machine manufacturer’s recommendations and at the same time monitor the quality of the lubricant.

This includes that:

the lubricant (especially important for transmission and hydraulic oils) is regularly checked for contamination or ageing ⇒ Oil analysis
the prescribed replacement intervals are observed.
the lubricant is matched to the specific operating conditions and that the choice of lubricant is checked whenever the operating conditions change (e.g. temperature or load changes) ⇒ choice of the correct lubricant
the correct dispensing quantity (particularly important for bearing lubrication with grease) is determined. Too much or too little lubrication can be just as problematic.
Lubricant management systems are used. Technologies and systems that help to monitor lubrication automatically ⇒ Autolub (automatic lubrication) Autolub (automatic lubrication)

The importance of lubrication in industry is immense and often underestimated. Good lubrication not only protects machines, but also contributes to efficiency and cost savings.

It is worthwhile for companies to address this issue and invest in the right lubrication. In this way, they can optimize their production in the long term and extend the service life of their systems.