Industrial lubricants and greases play a major role in all kinds of industries, especially manufacturing. From automotive manufacturing to food and beverage, having the right kind of lubricants in your machines is a must. Though it seems simple, the entire manufacturing process heavily depends on lubricants and greases to run efficiently and smoothly. Let’s take a look at what makes these products so important, and what would happen without them in the manufacturing setup.
Importance of industrial lubricants in manufacturing
There are a few major roles that lubricants play here, making a significant impact in efficiency, cost and time required in production and manufacturing. Some of these are as follows:
Reduces friction
The most obvious as well as the most important function of any lubricants is to reduce friction between the moving parts of the machinery. In sectors such as manufacturing, heavy machinery is used extensively to produce goods at a large scale and it is hence important to protect the parts against wear and tear. By using the correct lubricant, the life of the machinery is extended as well as ensuring smooth running.
Heat
Said friction also has another effect, which is the generation of heat. Too much friction can raise the temperature of the parts to dangerous levels and cause overheating. Industrial lubricants act as a coolant, absorbing and dissipating heat to maintain optimal operating temperatures. This is especially important in industries like automotive manufacturing, where engines and transmissions endure extreme temperatures and heavy loads.
Lower energy consumption
A sufficient amount of lubrication in the machinery entails smooth running of the manufacturing process itself. This means that less energy is required and the energy that is used is used efficiently. Along with environmental benefits, a lower energy consumption is an added advantage to the manufacturing process overall.
Reduced costs and higher productivity
The importance of industrial lubricants cannot be overstated. Something as simple as grease and lubrication can save quite a considerable amount of money and time that otherwise would not be used to the full possible extent. Using high-quality lubricants allows manufacturers to enhance machinery performance while lowering overall energy consumption.
Protection from corrosion
Lubricants also work as excellent barriers against corrosion and contaminants. In some areas such as construction, machinery is used in open and uncontrolled environments and is exposed to dust, dirt, moisture and the like. These can infiltrate the parts of the machines and cause damage which can also affect the performance. Industrial lubricants form a film over these parts and protect them from spoil.
What would happen without lubricants?
Considering the use of lubricants is highly necessary, what happens when they are not used, or they are not used sufficiently? This would heavily affect the machinery and the manufacturing process, causing stallings, breakdowns and even a complete stop in production, costing the company heavily. Even if it does not stop completely, it would cause a significantly reduced output.
Apart from manufacturing issues, the lack of lubrication would also pose a safety hazard, as machinery without lubrication or grease can result in overheating, sparking, wear and tear and even ignite and cause a fire.
Hence, investing in the proper lubricants and maintenance practices enables industries to ensure smooth machinery operation, boost productivity, and lower long-term operational costs.
