How to choose the right lubricator, size and lubricant for isolated lubrication points.
Interflon Single Point Lubricators
A lubrication point that is hard to reach, unsafe to access on a running machine, or left unattended when maintenance capacity is stretched is a component failure in progress. 56% of premature bearing failures can be traced back to a lubrication-related cause [SKF], most starting with a point that was not lubricated at the right time, in the right quantity, with the right lubricant.
An Interflon Single Point Lubricator (ISPL) mounted on a lubrication point delivers a continuous, precise flow of grease or oil for up to 12 months. The dispensing rate is set at installation to match the required relubrication interval, which means no under-lubrication and no over-lubrication, regardless of staffing levels or shift changes.
The result is consistent lubrication at every point, all the time, at a cost that typically pays back within 6 months.
When is a Single Point Lubricator the right choice?
Single Point Lubricators are the right solution when manual lubrication of a point is difficult, unsafe, or no longer reliably covered due to a shortage of available maintenance staff.
Common situations:
- Bearings, chains, or guides in hard-to-reach locations: height, guarding, confined spaces, or underwater
- Lubrication points on running machinery when stopping for manual access is not practical
- Points that are regularly missed or inconsistently lubricated due to time pressure or staff shortages
- Applications with 1 to 4 lubrication points where a centralised system is not proportionate
- ATEX zones requiring certified equipment for use in explosive atmospheres
A practical guideline: if a lubrication point is visited manually more than once per month, or if accessing it requires climbing, stopping the line, or entering a guarded area, a Single Point Lubricator will reduce both risk and cost.
For machines with 4 or more lubrication points, or where PLC integration and higher operating pressure are required, a Centralised Lubrication System is the appropriate solution.
Documented results
- 85% reduction in lubrication time per point
- 50 to 80% reduction in lubricant consumption through precise, continuous dosing
- 3 to 8% energy savings from lower friction and reduced operating temperatures
- Return on investment typically within 6 months
Straalfabriek Boxtel installed 160 Single Point Lubricators on critical equipment and eliminated 120 maintenance hours per year. Each unit operates without technician involvement between annual cartridge replacements.
Where Single Point Lubricators are used
Typical applications:
- Roller bearings and plain bearings on fans, pumps, electric motors, and conveyors
- Chains and chain guides on conveyor systems, packaging lines, and food processing equipment
- Linear guides and ball screws on production machinery
- Spindles on water management installations and processing equipment
- Escalator and lift guide rails
- Open gear flanges and pin-bush connections on heavy equipment
Food and beverage: NSF H1 and NSF 3H certified Interflon lubricants are available for all ISPL sizes. PFAS-free NSF 537 certified and MOAH-free formulations meet HACCP, BRCGS, and IFS audit requirements.
How it works
A dry-cell activator generates hydrogen gas, which builds continuous pressure behind a piston. The piston pushes lubricant through the G 1/4" connection thread directly into the lubrication point. The dispensing rate is set at installation by adjusting the activator: 1 to 12 months, steplessly. No power supply, no wiring, no external control needed.
Two configurations
| Standard ISPL | ISPL with IMPULSE connect |
|---|---|
| Drive | Electromechanical + battery pack |
| Max. pressure | 10 bar |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (simatec app) |
| Best for | High back-pressure or remote monitoring |
Available sizes
Five sizes cover the full range from compact linear guides to heavy-duty long-runtime applications. All models share the same G 1/4" connection thread and 1 to 12 month runtime range.
| Size | Best for | Why this size | IMPULSE connect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 ml | Linear guides, small electric motors, tight spaces | Smallest lubricator on the market. Aluminium housing. Lowest volume per interval. | Not compatible |
| 30 ml | Isolated bearings with low relubrication volume | Compact plastic housing. Good starting point for standard bearings. | Not compatible |
| 60 ml | Bearings and chains, medium relubrication volume | Most common size. Longer runtime at standard settings. First size with IMPULSE connect. | Compatible |
| 125 ml | Bearings, chains, pin-bush connections | Higher volume for demanding applications or longer intervals without refill. | Compatible |
| 250 ml | Heavy-duty equipment, long runtime requirements | Maximum volume. For high-consumption points or where access for cartridge change is infrequent. | Compatible |
All five sizes share the same G 1/4" connection thread, 1 to 12 month runtime adjustment, and operating temperature range of -20 to +55 degrees C. All models are refillable using the Interflon Single Point Lubricator filling set.
Choosing the right lubricant
The lubricant inside the ISPL determines the protection it delivers. All Interflon Single Point Lubricators are supplied with Interflon lubricants based on MicPol® technology, which bond to the metal surface and maintain a protective film between dosing intervals, under washdown, and during start-stop cycles. A Technical Advisor specifies the correct lubricant, viscosity, and NLGI class for each application as part of the system assessment.
Next step
A Technical Advisor assesses the application, specifies the correct ISPL size and lubricant, and confirms the expected return on investment based on comparable documented cases.
Request a free application assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
An ISPL supplies lubricant continuously for 1 to 12 months per fill. The dispensing time is set steplessly on the activator to match the relubrication interval of the application; the 1 to 12 month settings apply to standard conditions. Select the lubricator size that fits the application and take the operating conditions into account. The Calculation Pro tool in the «simatec world of maintenance» app helps determine the correct setting, and a Technical Advisor can calculate the right size and setting for each point.
One. Each lubrication point gets its own lubricator, so every point receives exactly the amount of lubricant it needs, at its own interval. For machines with more than four lubrication points, an Interflon Automatic Lubrication System supplies all points from one central pump and could be more economical.
That depends on the component, speed, load, temperature and any food safety requirements. Only use lubricants approved for the ISPL; all of them are based on MicPol® technology. Commonly used options are Interflon Grease MP1, a very adhesive grease for long-life lubrication; Grease LS2 for low-speed, extreme pressure applications with high water resistance; Grease OG for heavily loaded open gears; Food Grease 1 for bearings in food production and the Food Lube G, a dry-film lubricant series for chains in the food industry. Always check the equipment manufacturer's guidelines and operating conditions.
A Technical Advisor can help you with selecting the right lubricant for each point.
A standard ISPL is the right choice when the lubricator can be mounted directly on the lubrication point and a maximum of 5 bar is sufficient. Choose the IMPULSE connect when you need up to 10 bar, for example to overcome back-pressure or to supply oil through a hose of up to 15 metres, or when you want to monitor lubricators remotely via Bluetooth. The Impulse Connect fits the 60, 125 and 250 ml sizes.
Ask your technical adviser for details per application
Yes. NSF H1 registered Interflon lubricants are available in all five ISPL sizes for applications where incidental food contact may occur. These include Food Grease 1 for bearings, the Food Lube G150 and G220 heavy-duty oils for gears, guides and chains, and Food Lube AL, a dry-film lubricant for chains. Interflon's H1 food grade lubricants are PFAS-free according to NSF 537 and MOAH-free NSF 538, which supports food safety audits such as HACCP, BRCGS and IFS. For chains and guides, a flat brush with side connection designed for the food industry is available as an accessory.
View our food grade lubricants
The Interflon Single Point Lubricator is suitable for food and beverage applications. NSF H1 certified Interflon lubricants are available for incidental food contact, and NSF 3H certified lubricants for direct food contact. All lubricants are PFAS-free NSF 537 certified and MOAH-free, which meets the requirements of HACCP, BRCGS, and IFS audits.
View our food grade lubricants
The Interflon Single Point Lubricator is certified for use in explosive atmospheres under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IECEx.
