Eliminating conveyor bearing failures through high-temperature lubrication.
No bearing replaced in 1 year at a glass packaging plant
A European glass packaging plant was replacing up to five conveyor bearings per year due to lubricant failure at high temperatures. Within twelve months of switching to Interflon Grease HTG, not a single bearing required replacement.
Initial situation and challenges
Within the plant, a transverse conveyor line carries glass bottles towards the tempering furnace. The bearings to be lubricated are installed both on the curved sections of the belt and on the drum positioned close to the furnace, meaning they are subject to particularly demanding thermal conditions, with operating temperatures of up to approximately 150°C.
The lubrication solutions previously used were unable to withstand these high temperatures and consequently failed to provide adequate protection for the components, reducing their operational life. This situation led to frequent bearing replacement, approximately five replacements per year, with a negative impact on both component costs and maintenance workload.
Improvements required
- Effective lubrication solution for high-temperature operating conditions
- Reduction in bearing failures and associated maintenance workload
Results
Interflon Metal Clean F (aerosol) effectively cleaned the bearings prior to lubrication, removing contamination and preparing the surface for optimal product adhesion.
With Interflon Grease HTG, the following results were achieved:
- Resistance to operating temperatures up to 150°C
- No bearing failures in 1 year
- Lubrication intervals extended from twice per week to once per month
- Labour hours reduced from 25 to 8 hours per year
- Total annual saving of approximately €1,600
