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 Centralized 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.
Read the Straalfabriek Boxtel story
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 527 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 Interflon Single Point Lubricator runs for 1 to 12 months on a single cartridge. The runtime is set at installation to match the relubrication interval required by the application. The correct setting depends on bearing size, operating speed, and the equipment manufacturer specification. A Technical Advisor calculates the right setting for each lubrication point.
The Interflon Single point Lubricator (ISPL) does not need a power supply or batteries. It operates on a hydrogen gas dry-cell cartridge that is part of the activator, with no external power, no wiring, and no maintenance between cartridge replacements. The IMPULSE connect extension, available for the 60, 125 and 250 ml sizes, adds an electromechanical drive with a replaceable battery pack for applications requiring higher pressure or remote monitoring via Bluetooth.
One Single Point Lubricator serves one lubrication point. Using splitters or dividers to feed multiple points from a single unit leads to unequal distribution and inconsistent dosing. One lubricator per point is the correct installation. For machines with 4 or more lubrication points, an Interflon Centralised Lubrication System could be the appropriate solution.
The Interflon Single Point Lubricator is compatible with greases up to NLGI 2 and a range of oils. The correct lubricant depends on the bearing type, operating speed, temperature, and any food safety or ATEX requirements. All Interflon lubricants used in the ISPL are based on MicPol® technology. A Technical Advisor specifies the right product for each application.
All five ISPL sizes from 15 to 250 ml can be refilled 3 times using the Interflon Single Point Lubricator filling set. The filling set enables clean, controlled refilling directly from an Interflon Lube-Shuttle grease cartridge and fills a 125 ml unit in four strokes.
The IMPULSE connect is an electromechanical pressure booster for the Iinterflon Single Point Lubricator that increases working pressure from 5 to 10 bar. It is available for the 60, 125 and 250 ml sizes. The IMPULSE connect is needed when standard gas-driven pressure is insufficient to overcome back-pressure at the lubrication point, or when remote monitoring and digital lubrication scheduling via the World of Maintenance app are required. Status, fill level, and change date are visible in the app without visiting the lubrication point.
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.
