Food and Beverage International magazine talks to Jean-Christophe Brossard, SKF food and beverage global segment manager, about trends in conveyor chain lubrication and the company's latest solution.
What are the main trends in the use and application of lubricants?
Jean-Christophe Brossard: Manual lubrication is increasingly not an acceptable solution for many food processing plants because of …
the long interval times involved, the risk of personnel injuries while chains are moving, and the risk of human error.
There are an increasing number of demands made of chain lubrication for different types of applications and environments (ie temperature, humidity, washdown etc.)
Many existing solutions are either too simple to warrant that the right amount of lubricant is delivered to the right place or are not fully compliant and adapted to food and beverage applications (ie brushes or air spraying solutions risk broken brush bristles or oil+air mist formation contaminating product).
Many aged systems need to be replaced.
What are the main drivers of developments in lubrication technology?
Jean-Christophe Brossard: Conveyor roller chains need the right lubricant at the right time at each chain link where friction occurs. Studies show that 60% of all chain defects can be traced back to incorrect lubrication caused by …
Too great an interval between lubrication
Inadequate lubricant quantity applied
Unsuitable use of lubricant.
SKF's new SKF ChainLube is an airless system that provides accurate lubrication of conveyor chains without connection to a compressed air supply, thus reducing the risk of potential food contamination from oil mist, or of oil evaporation in high temperature applications.
The SKF ChainLube system can withstand nozzle-area temperatures of -40˚C (depending on oil viscosity) up to 220˚C. The system is best suited for lubrication of parallel chains with speeds below three pitches per second in applications such as baking ovens, dryers, proofers, freezers or conveyors in wet areas.
The SKF ChainLube system will support our customers in improving the reliability of their chain systems while supporting their HACCP process (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points).
With only two parameters to set, it's designed to be easy to set up and use. The new lubrication system also helps our customers to reduce their food grade lubricant consumption.
The SKF ChainLube features a volumetric piston pump and a control unit that enable delivery of accurately metered lubricant volumes at preferred intervals, pitch by pitch. Projection nozzles, which have no mechanical contact with the chains, prevent dirt accumulation and applicator wear.
How does the SKF ChainLube airless system work without the use of compressed air?
Jean-Christophe Brossard: We are using a piston pump principle controlled with a solenoid connected via tubing to 'airless' projection nozzles.
What kind of applications is SKF ChainLube used for?
Jean-Christophe Brossard: Applications can be found in …
Proovers (bakery) – high humidity, elevated temperature
Freezers (ice cream etc) - low temperature
Smokehouse conveyor (meat) - temperature of 60˚C
Baking oven – high temperature of 200˚C
Conveyor (mushroom containers) – dust, high pressure washdown.
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