Lubrication Article
Lubrication is a process whereby a lubricant such as a grease or oil is applied to moving mechanical parts to reduce friction ensuring systems work smoothly. Without such lubrication, parts would suffer from accelerated wear or excess heat leading to premature failure.
Lubrication systems typically work by lubricant being taken from a reservoir and pumped through pipework to various lubricating points which are then returned back to the central reservoir. Filters may be used to remove impurities or debris collected by lubricating fluids during its journey.
Typically positive displacement pumps are used. Centralised lubrication systems are used to reduce the number of valves in a system and ensuring there is a single point for fluid storage and maintenance.
Examples of parts which require constant lubrication include bearings, chains, gears, gearboxes, conveyor, and wheel flanges.
On some machinery, a small device called a constant level boiler can be added which continuously lubricates items such as seals or bearings as the parts are kept under constant lubrication provided the level of oil is above a certain level.
Grease systems require a follower plate in order to ensure grease is removed from drums as grease is so viscous that if a pump suction were placed in the barrel a hole would be formed.
