Resource Library – lubrication videos & documents
All FLO Components videos are hosted on YouTube.com
Does your Automatic Greasing system include a pressure gauge? A pressure gauge allows for visual monitoring of the system pressure during regular maintenance inspections. This how-to video explains how it works.
DON’T CONTAMINATE YOUR LUBE RESERVOIR! An Automatic Lubrication System will increase the life of your equipment by dispensing small measured amounts of grease at frequent intervals while your equipment is operating. However, the incorrect method of refilling the lube reservoir through the lid will result in contamination of the system and ultimately leads to system breakdowns and unnecessary repairs or replacement costs. This how-to video shows you some of the alternatives available for properly filling the reservoir and some pitfalls to watch out for.
You can’t afford to have your machine sitting in the shop for hours because of a broken line or fitting on the lube system. This video shows you some of the tools and supplies you should keep in your cab to address minor problems you may encounter in the field.
There are different operating principles by which Autogreasers are designed. The 2 most common types of ALS used on mobile equipment are Series Progressive and Parallel. This video discusses some of the major differences.
This video lists things you should do before winter to make sure your automatic lubrication system operates properly throughout the cold winter months.
Both under-lubrication and over-lubrication can be devastating to a bearing. This video shows how a properly lubricated bearing should look.
This video features the internal mechanics of a progressive type grease metering valve in an automatic lubrication system and some important aspects to note when designing or modifying a system.
This video walks you through the five main components that make up any auto lube system, regardless of the brand or operating principle of the system.
Single point automatic lubricators are designed to lubricate a single point or few points, often in remote or hard to reach locations or when larger Automatic Lubrication Systems aren’t feasible. This video is an introduction to single point automatics.
This video is Part 2 of an introduction to single point automatics – how they operate and their set-up.
This video is an introduction to some of the common characteristics and the more important things to know about grease fittings and couplers.
This video looks at pump ratios on air-operated lube pumps – what they stand for and why it’s important.
Debris and contamination is the #1 cause for failure of grease gun operation. In this video one such unit is evaluated and repaired. Cleaning and maintaining equipment is essential to reducing unwanted downtime. The process covered here takes only a few minutes and should help equipment last longer and stay in the field longer.
This video covers the identification procedure for Lincoln PowerMaster® pump tube assemblies when the label is damaged or missing.
Questions to Ask When Buying an Auto Lube System
Whether you know it as an automatic lubrication system (ALS), an autogreaser or a centralized grease lubrication system, an ALS automatically lubricates multiple points on a machine from a centralized pump/control unit which is mounted in an easily accessible location. However, there are several manufacturers offering automatic lubrication systems in the industry today, so when you’re sourcing a system, it’s important to make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. Make sure you ask the questions in this Newsletter.
For a more detailed analysis, visit our page: Questions_To_Ask_For_Auto_Lube_System.
OOHSA ACT SEC Z432-04 Safeguarding Machinery, Item 14 Dealing with Maintenance & Lubrication
Hard-to-reach lubrication fittings present a major maintenance problem for the proper care of all types of machinery. Hidden or guarded lubrication fittings can lead to production downtime, higher operating and maintenance costs and the risk of personal injury to operators and employees. The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act and Canadian Standards Association section Z432-04 Safeguarding of Machinery, item 14 dealing with “Maintenance” states: “Machinery shall be designed to enable all routine adjustments, lubrication and maintenance to be carried out without removing the guard or disabling a safety device, and without extensive dismantling of machinery components.” Here are some suggestions on how to deal with these issues.
Handling & Storing Grease
A few helpful hints about how to properly store and handle grease.
The Benefits of a Lube Audit
The unfortunate reality for most companies today is that the current in-plant lube program is not something that was proactively planned out and implemented. Instead, it was a piecemeal process, developed over many years over the life of the company through the addition of new equipment, processes and personnel. As a result, any number of problems can occur. A Lube Audit can help. Here are the basic steps to a Lube Audit and the results you can expect.
3 Ways To Fill a Grease Reservoir on an Autogreaser
Refilling the lube reservoir through the lid will result in possible contamination of the system and ultimately lead to system breakdowns and unnecessary repairs or replacement costs. Here are 3 ways to properly refill the reservoir, while maintaining system integrity.
5 Common Lubrication Mistakes
In a study conducted by a major component manufacturer, improper lubrication accounts for 53% of all bearing failures. Bearing failures are a major cause of equipment downtime and significant unnecessary maintenance costs. The majority of failures are caused by: contamination of bushings by dust, dirt and moisture; inadequate amounts of lubricant applied to bearings; or over-lubrication of key pivot points. 30 years of lubrication experience at FLO Components has shown us that there are 5 common lubrication mistakes.
Proper Steps for Filling a Lever Gun from Bulk Containers or Filler Pumps
For most companies, there comes a time when it becomes more economical to buy grease in bulk instead of cartridges. When you reach that point, these are the steps you’ll need to know to modify your grease gun so you can fill it from bulk, as well as the procedures for filling the gun from a bulk container or filler pump.
Proper Steps/Procedure for a daily “Walk-around Inspection” on Auto Lube Systems
An Automatic Lubrication System will not replace your regular machine maintenance inspection. You still have to check for loose or damaged lines and make sure that everything is operating smoothly. Here we outline the proper steps or procedure you should follow for a daily “walk-around inspection” on any auto greaser, regardless of brand.
Spring Prepping your Auto Lube System
Spring is here, and as we gear up for the upcoming production season, let us not forget that our mobile equipment also needs some extra TLC to prepare for the long summer months. Here is a brief checklist of things you should do now to make sure your automatic lubrication system (ALS) operates properly throughout the summer.
Reasons for Using an Auto Lube System
What’s the point of using an ALS? Here are 8 Reasons why you would use an Automatic Lubrication System.
Winter prepping your Auto Lube System
Whether or not you conduct regular maintenance inspections or “walk arounds”, here is a brief checklist of things you should do now to make sure your automatic lubrication systems operate properly throughout the winter.
The Proper Way to Connect a Grease Gun to a Fitting
Here is a simple lube tip on the proper way to connect a grease gun to a fitting, as featured in this month’s issue of Machinery and Equipment MRO Magazine.
Contact us us for more information or with any questions you may have.
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Typically used in applications such as machine tools, printing machines, textile machines, packaging machines and more, single-line centralized lubrication systems are designed to feed a machine’s lube points frequently, with relatively small amounts of lubricant, as required. Single-line systems can be designed for oil or grease.
Automatic systems can be controlled on a time or load basis. Exchangeable metering nipples on the distributors make it possible to deliver the required amount of lubricant with every stroke or work cycle of the pump. The metering range runs from 0.01 to 1.5 ccm per lube pulse and lube point. The modular nature of this type of system makes it relatively easy to plan and expand.
Dual-line lubrication systems are designed for medium sized or large machines with a large number of lube points, long lines and rough operating conditions. Coking plants, steel plants, continuous casting plants, hot and cold rolling mills, finishing lines, brown coal strip mining, coal-fired power plants, cement factories, and deck cranes are all typical applications for this system.
Dual-line lubrication systems work with two main lines that are alternately pressurized and relieved. They are designed for ISO VG oil with a service viscosity of more than 50 mm²/s and grease up to NLGI grade 3. This system offers great flexibility when it comes to adjusting the metered quantity of lubricant at each feed point. Systems with more than 1000 lube points are possible within a range of 100m around the pump.
ProFlex automatic lubrication systems are designed for use with grease or oil, on small and medium sized machines, up to 150 lubrication points. A feed pump supplies lubricant to a master distributor valve, which serves secondary distributors that divide the amount into smaller portions for progressive delivery to the lube points. In combination with parallel flow limiters, the system can serve up to 1000 lubrication points or even more using oil.
Typical applications include printing presses, industrial presses, wind turbines and construction equipment. The SKF ProFlex automatic lubrication system includes a wide range of progressive distributors to choose from, with 2 to 20 outlets, flow rates of 0.01 cc to 6000 cc/min. and system pressure as high as 300 bars. One key advantage of this progressive type system is that it offers relatively inexpensive central monitoring of the function of all feed points.
This Multi-line automatic system is designed for automatic re-lubrication as well as small circulating oil systems in applications such as the machine tool industry, oil and gas, and heavy industry.
Multi-outlet pumps supply lubricant directly to the lube points without the use of extra metering valves. Each point has its own pumping element, making the system simple, accurate and reliable. The SKF Multi-Flex systems include a wide range of multi-outlet pumps from 1 to 32 outlets and are able to withstand system pressures as high as 4000 bars.
This Multi-line automatic system is designSKF CircOil Lube System to Cool, Clean & Lubricate with Oil
SKF CircOil systems are designed primarily for circulating oil to not only lubricate but also to cool highly stressed bearings in nearly every size of machine used in the pulp & paper sector and heavy industry. They also efficiently remove dirt, water and air particles.
An oil supply system delivers the lubricant to adjustment valves with individual settings. The actual feed rates can be controlled visually or electronically. Monitoring systems with a flow rate read-out function and individual warning levels are available for a more predictive maintenance approach.
SKF CircOil systems include a wide range of tailor-made and turn-key solutions for flow rates from 0.1 to 300 l/min and are easy to service. In addition, they feature a modular design and can be easily combined.
SKF Oil+Air Lube systems (oil mist system) are designed primarily for high speed bearings, chains and special applications in the steel industry.
A small metered amount of oil is injected into a mixing valve. A minimum air flow moves the oil slowly to the lube point and provides the bearing or chain with a small, continuous stream of oil and air. As a result, the bearing housing is under a slight overpressure, which keeps dirt away from the bearing. Additionally, this system creates no oil mist or fog, making it cleaner, safer and environmentally friendly.
With an SKF LubriLean Minimal Quantity Lubrication System, lubrication between the tool and work piece is performed by an aerosol – i.e. by oil droplets that are finely dispersed in an air stream. With internal minimal quantity lubrication, an aerosol is produced in the equipment’s reservoir and fed through the rotating spindle to the tool. When properly adjusted, the oil supplied is completely used up with no residue left behind.
With external MQL, lubricant and air are fed to the active area between the tool and work piece via tubing and nozzles. This relatively rigid system is suitable for machining operations in which the tools used are similar and the work piece contours do not change. It can also be used for series-produced parts.
Applications for SKF LubriLean include milling, rolling, shell end milling and form cutting, face milling, high speed cutting, hobbing, drilling, boring, tapping, buzz and band saws, forming and broaching. Some advantages include major reductions of up to 30% in overall production time, a more precise cutting process, better surface quality and significant increases in tool life.
The SKF SYSTEM 24 Gas Driven Single Point Automatic Lubricators are supplied ready-to-use straight from the box and filled with a wide range of high performance SKF lubricants. Tool-free activation and time-setting allow easy and accurate adjustment of lubrication flow. Typical applications include: Applications in restrictive and hazardous locations; Bearing housing lubrication; Electric motors; Fans and pumps; Conveyors; Cranes; Chains (oil); Elevators and escalators (oil).
• Flexible dispense rate from 1 to 12 months
• Stoppable or adjustable if required
• Intrinsic safety rating: ATEX approved for zone 0
• Transparent lube container allows visual inspection of dispense rate
• Compact size, permits installation in restrictive areas
• Greases and chain oils available
• SKF DialSet software (see Newsletter below) helps to calculate the correct dispense rate
To download our Newsletter about the SKF System 24, click here.
Watch this video to learn more about FLO Components, Canada’s first LINCOLN and SKF dual brand System House, and our commitment to “Meeting Customers’ Needs Better” with qualified, well trained people who focus at making us the best at responding quickly, at installing professionally and at providing quality customized lubrication solutions for all our customers – done right the first time.
Vogel automatic lubrication systems, parts & service
If you have older Vogel lubrication systems on your manufacturing equipment, on road truck or any kind of mining, paving, road-building or construction equipment, and you’re looking for replacement parts, fittings or service, give FLO Components a call. We have Vogel lubrication pumps, pressure switches, piston distributors, controllers and timers in stock and are ready to service you.
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CIRCULATING OIL systems for every application
SKF Oil Conditioning Units are low-volume off-loop or kidney loop systems. Installed directly onto existing machinery, a unit provides continuous oil filtration to remove contamination and includes a cooler to maintain the operating temperature of lubricating oil. It helps to: protect machinery from unexpected failures; protect oil, extending its useful service life; and extend machine service life by reducing wear and improving lubrication. The design is fully integrated with a minimal number of connections and apart from periodic filter changes, there is no need for regular maintenance. These units are used effectively in many applications such as large bearing housings, compressors, turbine systems, vacuum pumps and gearboxes. They can be useful on machinery where the existing filtration is not satisfactory or does not exist.
SKF Compact Circulating Oil Lubrication Systems are complete, self-contained systems designed for smaller applications such as stamping presses, punch presses and crushers. Each unit is locally assembled and tested for flow, pressure, sound levels and proper operation. Standard units usually include: electric motor and pump, oil filters, level indictors, flow meters, pressure gauge and steel oil reservoir.
The SKF Flowline system was developed to provide superior air and water separation performance for industries with high-volume oil circulation applications for cooling and cleaning the lubrication points, such as Pulp & Paper. The system works at high temperatures and eliminates contaminants such as abraded particles, oxidized particles, water, and air bubbles. Traditional systems use large reservoirs, have typically less than half of the oil in effective circulation, and have inefficient air and water separation. The Flowline oil reservoir’s revolutionary construction provides a better oil utilization ratio (over 90%), superior removal of air bubbles and water, has a volume only 1/3 to 1/2 of traditional reservoirs, saves energy by using a variable frequency AC-drive, and dramatically reduces oil consumption.
FLO’s Lincoln Fluid Circulation System for open gears and support rollers has been developed to be able to use highly viscous lubricants specifically designed to suit the operating conditions of large girth gear drives. It can be used for lubricating single, double or multiple pinion drives. Lubricant is continuously applied to the gears, collected, filtered and returned to a reservoir to be re-used. The lubricant is taken in either via an immersion bath or via a separate reservoir, pumped through lubricating pipes and excessively applied onto the load-carrying tooth flanks, as the machine operates, to clean and cool the driving pinions. The separate reservoir system version also allows heating of the lubricant for outdoor applications during winter seasons. A complex filtering component ensures that the lubricant is free from contamination.
OIL DISTRIBUTION AND MONITORING
FLO’s CircOil systems include a wide range of tailor-made and turnkey solutions for flow rates from 0.1 to 300 l/min.
• Restricts continuous flow to a specific value
• Volume per lube point: 0.2 to 230 ccm/min
• Unlimited number of lube points
• No monitoring of lube points, main line pressure monitoring possible
• Restricts continuous flow to a adjustable value
• Volume per lube point: 0 to 2,000 ccm/min
• Unlimited number of lube points
• Visual monitoring of lube points, main line pressure monitoring possible
• Monitors flow of oil to a lube point, or a continuous flow of oil through an entire system.
• Restricts flow between adjustable min/max value
• Volume per lube point: 50 ccm/min to 14 l/min
• Max. number of lube points: 20
• Divides large flow into parallel individual flows
• Volume per lube point: 0.1 to 130 l/min
• Unlimited number of lube points
• Precise measurement of actual flow
• For use in oil or grease lubrication systems
• Unlimited number of lube points in combination with flow limiters
• Monitors Feeder cycles by piston detector
• Float and cone type oil flowmeter for controlling and measuring the flow rates
• Can be banked (up to 10 units wide) to reduce piping and simplify installation
• Adjustable for specific amount per lube point
• Volume per lube point: 0.04 to 56 l/min
• Unlimited number of lube points
• Monitoring: Common alarm per bank of flow meters or individual alarm per lube point
• Turbine type digital oil flowmeter for controlling and measuring the flow rates
• Adjustable for specific amount per lube point
• Volume per lube point: 0.05 to 50 l/min
• Unlimited number of lube points
• Monitoring: Precise measurement of temp., pressure and flow, group alarm, individual point alarm, Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet
Circulating Oil Lubrication Systems Optimize the lubrication and maintenance of your critical equipment…
| Machine Builders/Rebuilders & Metal Processing | Steel Mills | Cement & Aggregates | Pulp & Paper |
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Download our Circulating Oil Lubrication Systems Brochure
*SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group
