In many industrial and production environments, chain lubrication is one of those maintenance tasks that’s easy to overlook until problems start appearing. Excessive wear, unplanned downtime, increased energy consumption and shortened component life can often be traced back to inconsistent lubrication practices.
While manual lubrication may be sufficient in some applications, many operations benefit from a more controlled and repeatable approach. That’s where custom lubrication systems can make a significant difference.
The Challenge of Consistent Lubrication
Every application is different. Some production lines require multiple lubrication points spread across a machine, while others operate in environments where contamination risks must be carefully managed.
In one recent project, a customer needed to lubricate six separate chain locations. However, they couldn’t apply lubricant while the production line was operating due to product contamination concerns. The lubrication process needed to occur during a scheduled maintenance window and run automatically without constant operator involvement.
Requirements like these are rarely solved with an off-the-shelf solution.
Building a System Around the Process
For this application, Pneutech designed a custom lubrication cabinet that allows operators to start a lubrication cycle at the push of a button.
At the heart of the system are Oil-Rite Pergex metering pumps, which deliver a precise quantity of lubricant with every pulse. The pumps can be adjusted from approximately 0.03 mL to almost 2 mL per cycle, allowing the lubrication rate to be tailored to the specific requirements of the equipment.
With six lubrication points to service, the system ensures each location receives a controlled and repeatable dose of oil, helping eliminate the inconsistencies often associated with manual lubrication methods.
From Drip Lubrication to Air-Assisted Spray
Pneutech has supplied lubrication systems for many years, often using drip-fed or brush-based methods. In this case, the customer required a spray lubrication system to better suit their application.
To achieve this, air-assisted spray nozzles combine compressed air and lubricant at the point of application, creating a controlled spray pattern that distributes lubricant where it’s needed.
The result is more effective coverage while maintaining precise control over lubricant usage.
Designed for Real-World Operating Conditions
One of the key considerations for this installation was the site’s compressed air quality.
Contaminated compressed air can affect the performance of pneumatic equipment and lubrication systems, so the cabinet incorporates Expel filtration to remove contaminants before the air reaches the control components and spray nozzles.
The system also includes adjustable pressure regulation and timer controls, allowing operators to fine-tune both the spray performance and lubrication cycle duration.
For this customer, the process is simple. Following a weekly washdown, an operator starts the lubrication cycle. The system then runs automatically for approximately one hour before shutting itself down. Operators can also stop or reset the cycle at any time if required.
The Value of a Custom Approach
No two lubrication applications are exactly alike. Factors such as operating schedules, contamination risks, lubrication points, air quality and maintenance procedures all influence the right solution.
By designing systems around the customer’s process rather than forcing the process to fit a standard product, manufacturers can improve equipment reliability, reduce maintenance effort and extend component life.
Whether it’s a simple lubrication setup or a fully customised pneumatic control solution, understanding the application is always the first step toward achieving better long-term outcomes.
If you’re dealing with lubrication challenges, compressed air issues or a unique automation requirement, the Pneutech team can help design a solution that fits the way your operation actually works.