In a bid to gain better control over their lubrication process, the customer, a leading metal processing business, reached out to a SKF Authorised Distributor to assist them with the replacement of their existing lubricators with the advanced System 24 automatic lubricators at one of their processing plants.

“During 2017, we phased in some 120 System 24 units per month, gradually switching the customer’s entire processing plant in Witbank, Mpumalanga, to our automatic lubricator solution,” says Eddie Martens, SKF Product Manager - MaPro. “The scope of work included replacing the lubrication points on all the equipment associated with metal production to System 24. The customer was responsible for the installation of the System 24 lubricators following training provided by SKF in collaboration with our Authorised Distributor.”

After just nine months, the customer reported an impressive 46% cost saving as a result of decreased lubrication. The SKF System 24 lubricators added further value for the customer by contributing to time saving and subsequent better utilisation of employees. The overwhelming success of the lubrication project convinced the customer to convert a total of seven plants to System 24 automatic lubricators.

“Upon receiving the go-ahead from our customer at the end of 2021, we commenced with the rollout of the lubrication project.” Martens explains that each of the seven installations is being completed gradually until all lubrication points have been converted. Completion of all customer plants is envisaged for February 2023.

The System 24 solution comprises two types of single point automatic lubrications, the LAGD gas driven and TLSD cabled series. Both series are renowned for their ultra-reliable performance. The LAGD units are supplied ready-to-use straight from the box. The lubricators are filled with a wide range of high performance SKF lubricants and feature a flexible dispense rate from one to twelve months. The tool-free activation and time-setting capabilities allow for easy and accurate adjustment of lubrication flow.

The cabled single point TLSD automatic lubricator series has been specially developed for applications that do not run continuously. The lubricator can be set to deliver the correct quantity of lubricant over a set time period and when the equipment or machines are running. Offering an alternative to battery-powered drive units, the TLSD is cable-connected to enable direct power supply and signal transfer. TLSD lubricators are highly suited for critical applications where extreme reliability and additional monitoring is required.