Missed or inconsistent lubrication is the leading cause of premature bearing failure, accounting for 56% of cases. Technicians are not always available, some points are unsafe or hard to reach, and results vary even when rounds are completed.
That is why we combine the right system, the right lubricant and expert application advice for proven results.
Arjan van der Valk
Product Manager Lubrication Systems
An automatic lubrication system only performs when the hardware, lubricant and setup work together. A system on its own is not enough. Matching it to the right lubricant and setting it up correctly is what determines whether it performs. That is why we combine proven lubrication systems with Interflon lubricants featuring MicPol® technology and on-site technical expertise.
Why automate lubrication?
Manual lubrication depends on the right person reaching the right point, at the right time, with the right lubricant and the right quantity. When that does not happen consistently, the risk of premature wear, failure and unplanned downtime increases.
Depending on the situation, automatic lubrication helps resolve:
Labour shortage: fewer skilled technicians available for repetitive manual lubrication tasks.
Hard-to-reach points: height, guarding, and moving parts make manual lubrication slow, and time-consuming.
Safety: less exposure of people to hazardous or hard-to-reach lubrication points, and less spilled lubricant that can cause slippery floors.
Inconsistent lubrication: missed rounds, incorrect lubricant selection and inconsistent application increase the risk of premature wear and failure.
Downtime cost: missed lubrication points can lead to reactive maintenance, which costs more than automation.
Compliance and audit: food and pharmaceutical sectors require documented, traceable lubrication.
When is an automatic lubrication system worth it?
A practical guideline: if a machine has more than four lubrication points, or if those points are difficult or unsafe to reach, automation is worth assessing.
Centralized systems on production lines typically pay for themselves within 24 months. A Lubrication System Specialist can confirm the expected return on investment for a specific application.
Interflon, together with our preferred suppliers Graco and ISPL solutions (Interflon Single Point Lubricators), has 600+ Technical Advisors in 52 countries. NSF and PFAS-free certified.
Automatic lubrication: which system fits your application?
Two proven routes to automated lubrication. The right choice depends on the number of lubrication points, their criticality, and the operating pressure of the application.
System
Lubrication points
Typicalapplication
Typical payback
Single Point Lubricator
1 to 4
Isolated, hard-to-reach points
Within 6 months
Centralized Lubrication System
4 or more
Production lines, critical equipment
Within 24 months
Proof from the field
Straalfabriek Boxtel eliminated 120 maintenance hours per year after switching to Single Point Lubricators, read the full story for the complete results.
Proven impact, delivered by both solutions
Outcome
Documented result
Reduction in lubrication time
85%
Reduction in lubricant consumption
50 to 80%
Energy savings
3 to 8%
Reduction in unplanned downtime
10 to 30%
Note: Downtime reduction is measured across structured Interflon lubrication programs and depends on the site's current failure patterns.
A Technical Advisor assesses the application, identifies the right system and lubricant, and calculates a realistic return on investment based on documented cases.
An automatic lubrication system delivers a fixed amount of grease or oil to a lubrication point at set intervals or in sync with production cycles, without a technician needing to visit the point. This prevents missed lubrication rounds and ensures consistent protection for bearings and chains.
This depends on the number of lubrication points, accessibility, and the equipment's criticality. For 1 to 4 isolated points, an Interflon Single Point Lubricator (ISPL) is usually the best choice. For 4 or more points on a production line, an Interflon Centralized Lubrication System built on Graco technology is the better fit. The lubrication advisor on this page gives a first direction in three questions.
The return on investment comes from several cost reductions at once: fewer labour hours on manual lubrication rounds, less wear on bearings and chains from consistent dosing, less unplanned downtime from missed lubrication points, lower lubricant consumption through precise delivery, and lower energy use from reduced friction.
Interflon supplies lubricants with NSF H1 and NSF 3H certification and PFAS-free formulations, suitable for use in and around food production. These lubricants are fully compatible with the Interflon Single Point Lubricators and the Interflon Centralized Lubrication System. Everything you need to know about NSF Certification for Lubricants.
