![]() ![]() If the pathway to the bearing is obstructed, a change in the normal pressure can be measured and recorded. The grease fitting, orifices and bearing create resistance to flow that can be measured with a pressure gauge. Simply define the volume required to relubricate the bearing then deliver that volume, thus eliminating the variability. A grease gun-mounted flow meter eliminates the guesswork. So if a new grease gun is purchased, and the new gun delivers more or less grease per shot than the previous model, overgreasing or undergreasing will occur unless the work order is modified to reflect the change. The volume of grease delivered per shot varies from one grease gun to the next. When a formula is used to calculate the amount of grease to apply to a bearing, we have historically translated this into the number of shots required, and this estimate gets worked into the preventive maintenance (PM) work order. This can be useful in troubleshooting for seal problems, caking of expired thickener and a host of other conditions. The key is that these ultrasonic devices can help optimize both the regrease interval and the volume of lubricant applied.Ī flow meter, when attached to the grease gun, enables the lube tech to apply the prescribed amount of grease if a calculated approach is employed, or to record the volume of grease required to lubricate if the sonic/ultrasonic approach is employed. Some ultrasonic listening devices offer both visual and audio feedback options. While some use visual meters, others modulate the signal to an audible frequency so that the lube tech can listen to the bearing as it is being greased. Some of these devices attach to the grease gun. This signal cues the technician to discontinue adding more lubricant, thus reducing or eliminating the chances of overlubrication. An ultrasonic listening device produces an audible signal from the friction caused by churning. Once grease is applied to a running bearing, the bearing “quiets.” When the lube tech has filled the bearing’s internal reservoirs, adding more grease will result in overlubrication. ![]() Whether the interval is condition-based or schedule-based, these devices can also be used in conjunction with a grease gun to ensure that the proper volume of grease is applied. Such a device may be used to drive condition-based regreasing schedules, or to confirm or optimize the validity of scheduled regreasing intervals. Properly equipped sonic and ultrasonic monitoring devices can detect when the bearing needs to be lubricated. When a bearing needs to be greased, it produces a detectable acoustic signal. Let’s briefly review some of these new technologies and discuss the impact they can have on machinery lubrication. ![]() If used correctly, however, grease guns equipped with the right technologies can yield many multiples of return on investment (ROI) by eliminating machine failure that is linked to chronic mistakes in machinery lubrication. ![]() While the grease gun itself is not undergoing major changes, we are starting to bolt on various instruments and devices that materially alter the appearance and the function of the grease gun, which can increase the cost of the device from about $50 to more than $2,000! Well, that’s changing - and at a rapid pace. Apart from adding pneumatic or electric power to some models, changes to the original design have been only modest in scope and impact. The lever-action style grease gun has changed little since it was first developed in the early 1920s. Today’s technology is paving the way to a more precise and cerebral approach to the seemingly simple act of greasing a bearing. When the act of greasing a bearing is viewed as a purely physical task, the plant has little chance of developing a world-class machinery lubrication program that delivers machine reliability, profits and competitive advantage. One grabs the grease gun, pumps it full of grease or installs a cartridge, goes to the machine, attaches the gun to the grease fitting and pumps the lever to deliver grease - right? Regrettably, this is too often the case. Manually greasing a bearing is an act that, at least on the surface, appears to be purely physical. ![]()
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