A manufacturer in the metallurgy and wire-drawing sector sought to improve lubrication efficiency on a critical sand mixer used in its foundry operations. The Eirich mixer featured eight lubrication points spread across vital components including the crown gear, drive pinion, and several heavy-duty bearings. Operating under heavy loads and in a dusty environment, the system demanded precise and reliable lubrication to ensure long-term mechanical performance.
MEMOLUB EPS
Reduced maintenance and improved reliability for a metallurgy and wire-drawing player.
Context
Problem
The existing lubrication setup consisted of an aging centralized system that had become increasingly expensive to maintain. Additionally, a separate gas-powered lubrication unit for the crown gear had become ineffective, often requiring manual intervention. The site was using a general-purpose grease that was not ideally suited to the mixer’s operating conditions. Lubrication was inconsistent, difficult to monitor, and labor-intensive, leading to increased component wear and maintenance frequency.
Solution
To resolve these issues, the plant installed a set of MEMOLUB EPS automatic lubricators operating on 24V power. The configuration included one unit with a pulverizer nozzle to spray lubricant directly onto the drive pinion of the crown gear. Two additional units were installed with splitters to supply grease to the main bearing of the rotating crown. A final unit with a three-outlet distributor provided grease to both upper bearings and the lower bearing, the latter receiving a double feed for improved protection. All systems used high-performance Tribol GR 400-2 PD grease, tailored for heavy-duty applications.
Results
The implementation of the MEMOLUB system resulted in regular and precise lubrication across all components. The gear teeth and pinion were fully coated with the correct grease volume, preventing dry spots and wear. Compared to the previously planned replacement system, the MEMOLUB EPS setup reduced the equipment investment by approximately 50 percent. In addition, the site achieved a significant reduction in manual maintenance time, estimated at over 60 percent. Lubrication intervals are now fully automated, which improves consistency and reduces the risk of oversight. The upgrade contributed to extended bearing life and greater machine reliability while simplifying ongoing maintenance tasks.
