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Automatic Lubricators

Automatic Lubricators

Increase the performance and reliability of your industrial machinery with automatic lubricators from leading lubrication systems specialists DropsA North America.

What are Automatic Lubricators?

Automatic lubricators are components in an automatic lubrication system providing an automated and efficient solution to routine lubrication maintenance which otherwise has to be done manually. An automatic lubricator can be single point or multi point, and following installation automatically dispenses the correct amount of grease or lubrication to your machinery.

Lubrication is essential to the reliability, performance and longevity of machinery. In the past, industrial equipment required manual lubricant application in key areas to prevent grinding keys, overheating cutting tools and a wide variety of other issues specific to their application.

lubrication consultants

Benefits of Automatic Grease Lubricators

  • Ease of operations: automatic lubricators eliminate this maintenance step with a centralized, automated system. Simply adjust the controller to your equipment needs and focus on your manufacturing process.
  • Efficiency: A centralized system eliminates many of the inefficiencies of manual lubrication. Unlike a manual grease gun or oil applicator, automatic lubricators offer timed, measured amounts of lubrication to a specific point. The centralized controller will deliver timed, measured amounts of oil, grease or other fluid to the exact single points or multi points through a series of tubes and feeders. This allows you to add lubrication in small amounts in short intervals rather than having to apply more grease than necessary in order to reduce the relubrication interval as you would when lubricating manually.
  • Increased productivity: This is significant because there is no need to stop the machine to apply lubricant. Instead, it can be done safely and consistently while your production line is in use. This translates to superior productivity. Furthermore, there is a minimized chance of human error or danger when lubricating difficult to access lube points in the machinery.
  • Increased equipment lifespan: Gears, cutting tools and other friction points can all last for far longer if they are continuously and properly lubricated. By avoiding improper lubrication techniques, you can increase the lifespan of your equipment and prevent sudden breakdowns from stalling your line. With automatic lubricators machinery maintenance requirements tend to be reduced and simplified. Wear and damage often emerge from improperly lubricated components. With centralized lubricators, you never have to worry about such an issue. This feature reduces the risk of damage to your equipment.
  • Worker safety: A centralized system protects your workers. Some lubrication points are dangerously close to moving parts. In the past, a worker had to move carefully to this position and apply the correct amount of lubrication. A DropsA North America automatic system prevents that dangerous maintenance step.
  • Cut costs: Consider an oil recirculation or MQL option to dramatically reduce your oil usage. These lubricators use far less oil than typical manual application. Over time, you can expect to save a significant amount as your oil usage drops. Save on oil without risking damage to your equipment thanks to precision application.

Advantages Over Manual Lubricators

Automatic grease lubricators offer numerous advantages over manual lubrication (both oil and grease) including:

  • Increased Safety: Manually lubricating machines can be a dangerous task, even for an experienced and properly trained worker. Avoiding worker injuries can help you bolster productivity and limit worker’s comp claims.
  • Reduced Downtime: Manual lubrication requires you to temporarily stop your machines, which costs you money. You can avoid this all together with an automatic lubrication system.
  • Better Reliability: It is difficult for a lubrication technician to be precise when servicing a machine. This could result in them using too much or too little lubricant, which could cause performance problems. Automatic lubricators are far more precise, which will result in greater reliability.

Automatic Lubricator Options

DropsA North America supplies automatic lubrication systems for a variety of applications. Here are some common lubricator options to compare when shopping for your industrial needs:

automatic grease lubricators
  • Automatic Grease Systems: This system type delivers grease to lubricate pins, bushings, gears and other components from a centralized system. It can be used for vehicles and machinery such as die presses.
  • Total Loss Lubrication System: In this type of system, the film is replaced routinely. This means that you don’t have to worry about dirty or overheated lubricant which can cause damage. It can use very affordable lubricants.
  • Oil Recirculation Systems: This automatic lubrication system keeps the oil in a continuous flow. It can ensure exact quantities, temperatures and quality of the lubricant. Furthermore, it substantially reduces oil waste, meaning the system is less expensive and easier to maintain.
  • MQL lubrication systems: Short for minimum quantity lubrication, this type of system reduces the amount of lubrication needed by monitoring and strictly controlling applications. It is well-suited for machining and CNC.
  • Air/Oil Lubrication System: This style of automatic lubricator applies a spray of air/oil mix. It is very compact and requires much less lubricant than other systems. It is a good fit for chain, gear, spindle and vacuum pump lubrication.

Explore each option and discuss them with our customer service team to learn more. A total loss system is an affordable option that prevents contamination in your equipment, but an MQL setup may be the most cost-effective for your CNC machine.

Our complete portfolio of lubrication solutions can help to ensure that you can find the right solution for your requirements and budget. Our team is standing by to help you plan the optimal system.

Types of Automatic Grease Lubricators

Each type of automatic grease lubricator offers different advantages. Our team is happy to help you find the right automatic lubrication system for your production line or plant.

  • Single-Line Progressive Systems: This is a simple setup that uses lubrication flow through a single line to pump the lubricant to the needed area and empower the specific metering valves and assemblies. The lubricant in various reservoirs throughout the system and pressure is typically provided by multiple pumps.
  • Dual-Line Parallel Lubrication Systems: This setup uses hydraulic pressure to power the metering valves and distribute specified amounts of lubricant. There are two lines, alternating between acting as pressure lines and vents. The benefit of this is a single pump station can deliver lubrication to a large number of parts spread over thousands of feet of tubing.
  • Single-Line Parallel Lubrication Systems: This arrangement is based on similar principles to the dual-line type. A central pump uses hydraulic power to drive the system. Injector outlets at the end of each line deliver the lubricant to the destinations. This style of lubrication system is preferable for situations in which the amount of lubrication necessary is variable.

Common Applications

Automatic lubrication systems are used by manufacturers in many industries, including manufacturing, demolition, food processing plants, and waste processing. These types of systems are commonly used in chain drive machines.

Any equipment that requires frequent application of oil can benefit from one of our innovative systems. Common industries include construction, automation, machine tools, wind energy, food and beverage and mining.

Many of our systems are designed to offer continuous lubrication of moving gears. Other options distribute a precise amount of cutting oil to an exact point of contact, which is useful for CNC machining and other cutting, drilling or manufacturing processes.

You don’t need to operate a sprawling manufacturing facility to take advantage of our systems. A centralized lubricator can be used in agricultural machinery, off-road machines or small food and beverage equipment. Small businesses, hobby farms or personal equipment can all benefit from one of our efficient lubricators.

Our solutions are highly modular, meaning that you can select the type of system that works for you and make it fit into any type of plant. This also simplified maintenance because sections can be taken offline separately as needed. Our customer service team will help you to determine the right selection and combination of products for your needs.

Industrial Lubrication Specialists

Find out why we’re a leader in automatic lubricators. Contact us to discuss the benefits of our lubrication options or to order one today for your company. Whether you need a single air/oil lubrication device or a full range of oil recirculation systems, keep your wheels moving and your equipment operating at peak efficiency.

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