Southern Africa-focused bearings and power transmission products distributor Bearings International (BI) recently conducted a product focus designed to educate staff on the benefits of using reaming, tapping and drilling lubricant RTD, to strengthen its long-standing supplier- distributor relationship.

The product from UK-based industrial lubricants manufacturer Rocol is distributed by BI from all its branches in South Africa.

Cost-conscious mining and industrial operations can reduce costs by capitalising on the benefits of hand-applied metal-cutting tool lubricant RTD, says BI product manager Richard Lundgren.

BI has been distributing RTD locally since 1994 and has supplied the lubricant to a number of operations. RTD doubles the life of cutting tools by reducing wear and tap breakages, subsequently resulting in the tools having to be replaced less often.

“Mines, for instance, fabricate many parts, equipment and machinery on site to avoid the cost of engineering contractors, and can further massively cut costs by changing to using RTD,” Lundgren enthuses, adding that it further facilitates reduced downtime and increases productivity.

RTD provides increasing rates of metal removal which reduces scrap, increases efficiency, and produces a superior end- product, owing to an “excellent surface finish”, he points out.

Lundgren declares RTD the world’s leading hand-applied metal-cutting tool lubricant, as he says it has been tried and tested against products from leading competitors using international testing standards, emerging well above the competition in the ensuing results.

Further, he points out that RTD has an international reputation for its ability to reduce friction and enhance tool life where conventional cutting liquids fail. He says it is suitable for all metals, including hardened steel and titanium, which present the most severe cutting operations.

RTD facilitates dimensional accuracy and repeatability and also facilitates greater feeds and speeds. Lundgren says this product “does it all”, adding that the RTD formula includes extreme pressure additives, significantly reducing friction and providing superb cutting performance in drilling operations.

Lundgren indicates that RTD is available in liquid form in a 400 mℓ aerosol spray, as a compound or paste, or as a foam spray. He notes that the RTD aerosol and foam sprays are ideal for use in situations where accessibility is a challenge, explaining that the aerosol-applied version can be applied directly to moving tools, while the foam spray can be applied to the most difficult to reach areas.

Lundgren notes that the calibre of RTD is commensurate with the company’s reputation of distributing high-quality products and of aligning with reputable global brands that represent such quality. “This results in long-standing supplier-distributor relationships that benefit the valued customer,” he concludes.