The Importance of Lubricants in Non-Lubricated Gear and Roller Systems

Non-lubricated gear and roller systems are used for a variety of applications as seen in this page. They are particularly useful in applications where it is difficult to lubricate metal gears or where vibration and shock cause excessive wear, such as grain milling and food processing equipment.

 

The most common causes of failure in non-lubricated gear and roller systems are: 1. Pitting, 2. Broken teeth, 3. Oil leakage, 4. Damage to the tooth from impact or static (e.g., sandstorm), 5. Fatigue fractures, 6. Misalignment of teeth, 7. The presence of foreign materials in the lubricant and 8. Corrosion.

 

A lubricant ,such as the one in this page, is a chemical compound designed to reduce friction and prevent premature component failure. The proper choice of lubricant will extend the lifetime of a system, minimize maintenance, and decrease operating costs.

 

There are many factors that need to be considered when selecting a lubricant for any application, including type of gear, environment, tangential speed and rotational speed, method of lubrication, steady load, and operating temperatures. It is important to select the lubricant with sufficient viscosity, which allows for smooth transmission of motion and a low temperature rise.

 

In addition, the proper choice of lubricant will help to dissipate heat and minimize wear. It will also protect the gears from corrosion, minimize operating noise, and remove foreign materials from critical contact areas of the gear teeth.

 

Properly selecting the lubricant from a good company such as Intech PowerCore Corporation is the most important step in preventing failure. This can include choosing the right viscosity, selection of a lubricant compatible with sealing materials, and the correct method for introducing the lubricant.

 

The wrong choice of lubricant can result in excessive heat generation, increased wear, premature failure, and even reduced lifetime. For example, an incorrect viscosity can cause boundary friction which generates heat and wear. In addition, the wrong lubricant may be incompatible with the seal materials which could lead to leakage and lubricant starvation, causing the loss of essential oils.

 

This problem can be avoided by carefully examining the lubricant that is being used on the system and the tangential speed and rotational speed of the gears. This will ensure that the correct lubricant is being used at the right time, with the right amount of lubricant introduced to the area where it is needed.

 

Splash lubrication, forced circulation lubrication, and grease lubrication are the three common methods of lubricating a gear system. Each method has advantages and disadvantages.

 

Grease lubrication is usually recommended for use at low speed and lower loads. However, it can be used in some high-speed applications for maintenance purposes. This lubrication has two disadvantages: It does not dissipate heat as well as oil, and it is susceptible to rust and corrosion.

 

It has to be applied periodically in order to maintain adequate lubricity, especially for gears that are used at open-type operations where they will come into contact with dirt and dust. It should be applied at a rate of approximately 3 ounces per hour, depending on the gear and the amount of wear occurring.
Go here to get more info on gear and roller system lubricants: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubrication