Grease is the word - new single point automatic lubricator

Schaeffler states that its new arrival is suited to a broad range of industrial machines and devices, including electric motors, bearing housings, fans, blowers and pumps. The company also says that its CONCEPT1 eliminates the need for time-consuming manual lubrication procedures whilst preventing lubrication mistakes such as over (or under) greasing, either of which can cause unplanned equipment downtime.

"Approximately 60 per cent of electric motor failures can be traced to bearing-related problems that are typically due to lubrication issues", says David French, Product Manager for Industry 4.0 solutions at Schaeffler. "Accordingly, we designed CONCEPT1 to provide our customers with a versatile and easy-to-use solution that delivers the right grease in the right quantity at just the right intervals.”

Schaeffler’s new CONCEPT1 uses an electromechanical reaction to accurately and continuously supply the correct amount of lubricant and is claimed to be easy to install and operate. The company claims that CONCEPT1 can reduce plant maintenance costs by as much as 25% when compared to manual lubrication procedures.

The new lubricator is available pre-filled with Schaeffler’s range of Arcanol greases or alternatively, customers can purchase empty lubricant cartridges for CONCEPT1 and use their own grease. To reduce waste and help protect the environment, the new lubricator can be refilled up to three times using Schaeffler’s specially designed refill kits. 

Another advantage of the new lubricator concerns access: it is particularly useful, says Schaeffler, when machines or motors are located in difficult-to-access areas or are deemed as critical to the production process. The system is stated to be suitable for both OEM applications and retrofitting to existing machines or equipment.