Take the next step in machine care

In a typical machine, lubricants amount to 2-3 % of running costs. But 40 % of maintenance costs come from poor lubrication.

That’s why we talk not only about lubrication but lubrication management, taking a more holistic view and seeing lubrication management as an essential part of maintenance. 

We can never avoid failures of systems exposed to friction, but with combined data insights and means of intervention, we can safeguard effectiveness and reliability, supporting asset health and sustainability. Using technology to improve the way we use our resources responsibly. 

This is the next step in machine care.

Why lubrication management
in the food and beverage industry?

Improve food safety

The number of regulations affecting food and beverage production is constantly increasing. Lubrication management helps you fulfil all regulations by preventing the contamination of food products. This includes using food-grade lubricants certified for incidental contact and compliant with the dietary specifications of the major religions. 

Improve productivity

Urbanization and a growing world population drive the food and beverage industry. Efficient lubrication reduces wear and tear on machinery, preventing breakdowns and ensuring that equipment operates smoothly without unnecessary production stops. Lubrication management helps you find efficient ways forward, such as implementing automatic machine lubrication systems.

Improve sustainability

Producing more food with fewer resources to feed a growing and more urbanized world is challenging. It goes all the way from farm to fork, from soil cultivation to logistics solutions that minimize food waste. Lubrication management reduces friction, heat and wear between moving parts, ensuring optimal performance and long equipment life. 

Typical challenges

Here are some situations where lubrication management can make a difference and create value. 

Conditions are usually harsh in food and beverage plants. High humidity, wet or dusty areas and very high or low temperatures are some examples of demanding conditions that place high demands on the equipment. Frequent maintenance and lubrication are needed and also challenging as, for example, floors might be slippery. 

SKF can help you improve the situation. We provide specialized food grade lubricants for low to high temperatures and low to high pressures. Moreover, we offer automatic lubrication systems that reliably protect the equipment against corrosion and friction. No manual work involved also improves staff safety. 

Food and beverage plants are usually highly automated and often operate at high speeds, sometimes 24/7. Lubrication is recommended while the machines are running to ensure the lubricant is processed effectively. However, for safety reasons, this might not be possible during operation, and lubrication points can be hard to reach.

SKF automatic lubrication systems solve these issues by lubricating the machines while running without requiring manual interaction or stopping them. Customized settings in the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) ensure the correct lubrication intervals and the right amount of lubricant. 

The food and beverage industry is advancing rapidly, paving the way for even more automated and digitally driven production technology. However, new technology also puts new demands on maintenance and lubrication. At SKF, we can support you with a lubrication management strategy to ensure machine health and reliable operations. 

It may surprise you, but experience shows that maintenance plans are often missing or not properly followed. Even when maintenance plans exist, they usually lack important details or include incorrect tasks. We frequently observe a lack of planning integrity with poorly structured work that negatively impacts execution. Simply put, lubrication is not given the necessary priority in daily operations. 

We can help you put together a well-structured and correctly documented maintenance plan, where you can rest assured that all lubrication points receive the right grease in the correct amount and at the proper intervals. 

Processes are becoming increasingly complex, and companies have fewer people available to facilitate maintenance programs. These people must handle more and more tasks simultaneously, making it challenging to ensure seamless production. 

A comprehensive maintenance plan that includes lubrication, the installation of automatic lubrication systems and regular staff training can simplify and streamline your maintenance processes.

How it works

Customized to your needs

Lubrication management comprises many elements, encompassing tribology, filtration, lubricant analysis and management, and it may appear overwhelming. However, simple, pragmatic actions can make significant improvements in small steps.

We guide you through the lubricant lifecycle, from selecting and purchasing the right lubricant for your application to its storage and transfer, how to apply it, monitoring whether it lubricates as expected, and reconditioning or disposing of the lubricant. We can also assist you with planning, training, and procedures for lubricating your machines.

The five steps to reliable lubrication

Reliable lubrication is about having (1) the right lubricant, (2) in the right amount, (3) applied with the right method, (4) at the right time and (5) to the right lubrication point. Adding the right connectivity as a sixth step will help you to realise the full potential of maximising production uptime and minimising energy consumption, carbon dioxide footprint and the risk of premature bearing failures.

From manual to automated and connected

We can help you step up your lubrication activities based on where you are today and where you want to go. With SKF, the sky is the limit, which means in this case a fully automated lubrication system with connectivity features, enabling insights into machine conditions and execution of lubrication activities.

Elevate your plant’s lubrication practices

Assess and refine your plant’s lubrication practices and compare them with industry peers and competitors. The review takes about 20 minutes, and you will receive a report detailing both your strengths and areas for improvement.

Eddie Martens, Product Manager at SKF South Africa, frequently interacts with customers and technical experts. In this video, he clarifies common lubrication issues that often require attention. 

Some frequently asked questions

Not necessarily. While grease is crucial for lubricating bearings, it’s not as simple as using any grease. Grease consists of a thickener, base oil and additives – each designed for specific conditions. The base oil is what actually lubricates the bearing, and if the wrong grease is selected or if the operating conditions change, the lubrication may be inadequate, leading to bearing failure. Therefore, selecting the appropriate grease for the specific application is essential.

The amount of grease in a bearing is critical and should not be overfilled. Overfilling a bearing with grease can cause the rolling elements to slide instead of rotate, increasing friction and causing premature failure. The correct amount, known as the initial fill, can be calculated based on the bearing’s specifications. Once in operation, bearings may require topping up, which must be done carefully to avoid under/over lubrication.

Contamination in lubrication refers to the presence of impurities, such as dust, water or mixing different greases, which can damage machinery. Even tiny particles can disrupt the thin lubricating film, leading to increased wear and potential failure of bearings. Contamination, along with poor lubrication and improper fitting, accounts for a significant portion of bearing failures. Ensuring clean and compatible lubrication is essential for extending the lifespan of bearings and machinery.

Proper management of grease consumption can lead to significant cost savings, a benefit that many companies frequently overlook. Many plants are unaware of their lubrication expenses, which can run into millions. By optimizing grease use through methods like automatic lubrication, lubrication planning and training, companies can reduce these costs by up to 50%.

Insights from the experts

Take part in decades of lubrication knowledge through these expert interviews. If you want more information about a particular subject, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

#LubricationManagement

How lubrication management contributes to a better tomorrow

Managing lubrication means making the most of our systems, maximising productivity, efficiency, and safety. And reducing inefficiencies that lead to a waste of resources. It’s about energy saving, as poor lubrication means more energy must be used to drive machinery.

#MachineCare

How relates machine care to lubrication management?

Caring for your machines is like caring for your family. When talking about machine care, the parallelism to health care is given. Healthy machines produce more products of higher quality than machines with malfunctions. This leads to improved production, and in the end, to fewer headaches for the manufacturer and happier customers and stakeholders.

#Sustainability

How can lubrication contribute to sustainability?

Sustainability is what we can do today to prepare for tomorrow. We need to make the right choices right now, preparing for the future by shifting mindsets. Oil is used in virtually all industrial applications, and it used to be thought of as a consumable. You buy it, use it, and discard it. What if oil would be an asset, something you invest in?

#Technology

How can technology improve lubrication management?

Technology is an enabler. The big change comes when we move away from reactive behaviour to a preventive, predictive or even on-demand way of operating. The next step is to combine different processes into solutions that give operators and managers even more options to be proactive.

#Digitalization

How can lubrication management become digital?

Lubrication is part of the equipment reliability ecosystem, where all the data and information are present, giving a solution based on reliability, combining different techniques and feeding models to increase reliability in our customers' equipment.

#Effectiveness 

How can lubrication become more effective?

Effectiveness comes from the customer's perspective. Effective lubrication practices, knowing when and how to lubricate, make it safer and more accessible for the crew. Lubrication management makes life easier for everyone involved.

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