One of the most important things to do for machinery in the production process is to make sure they get lubricated on a regular basis. A failure to perform this vital task can result in a number of unfortunate events. When machinery isn’t properly lubricated it can overheat, grind vital components, be a safety hazard, overload electrical circuit breakers, and worst of all, halt production.

A properly lubricated piece of industrial machinery will minimize the level of wear and tear, reduce friction, decrease corrosion, and repel contaminants. It also keeps the machinery running at optimal performance while operating at safe temperatures. Industries who manufacture in the production process have enough to worry about as it is; therefore, keeping their machinery running is a top priority.

There are a lot of industries that use lubricants for their machinery for continuous operation; however, the machinery used in the production process requires more routine inspections and lubrication. Here are three industries that use lubricants in the production process.

1. Gas and Oil Industry

For gas and oil industries, machinery in their production process needs to operate at extremely high volumes and maintain a set schedule to meet deadlines. This can be especially true for industries that utilize offshore areas for their manufacturing process. The machinery in these locations is subjected to high levels of strain due to both extremely hot or cold weather environments.

For drilling and production operations, machinery needs to work in harsh weather and run without breaking down. To put this into perspective, just one day of downtime in this industry can cost the company more than the average citizen makes in one year. Lubrication for machinery in the gas and oil industry is needed for a smooth production process as well as machine safeguarding for individuals who are working extremly dangerous jobs.

2. Wind Power Industry

When you are driving in an area that has wind turbines, you will see them strategically placed in high elevations or in extremely windy locations with lots of open space. These type of windy environments put a tremendous amount of stress on the bearings and gears that allow these massive propellers to spin flawlessly. Without lubrication, these bearings and gears would grind themselves into oblivion and bring the production process to a full stop.

In the wind power industry, supply and demand for high-quality bearings and gears keep engineers busy, to say the least. The bearings and gears of a wind turbine are the two most vital components, so it’s important to keep them lubricated to cut down on repairs while providing the product they deliver to millions of customers.

3. Textile Industry

In the textile industry, the need to lubricate the production machinery comes at a cost too high if ignored. The speeds, vibrations, and loads by many different sets of bearings and gear assemblies are extreme in the production process. It’s for this reason, routine lubrication is needed for different friction points on the machinery. Without lubrication, the chances of breaking down during the production process are high.

The benefit of lubrication for textile machinery during the production process is a guaranteed greasy contact between metal surfaces. This will reduce the odds of engine failure, and engine failure in textile machinery can cost the company upwards of $100,000 or more. Lubrication is extensively used in the textile industry to prevent these types of catastrophes from happening while keeping the machinery running at maximum performance levels.

No matter the type of processing machinery or industry, lubricants are vital for any piece of machinery that has moving metal parts. When machines break down or blow an engine during the production process, the costs are sometimes passed on to the consumer. Lubrication might be vital to machinery, but it’s also an intricate part of our society, and its value goes without saying.