Whether producing pulp, paperboard or corrugated material, paper and pulp manufacturing plants use a wide range of equipment throughout the manufacturing process. This equipment depends on the lubricant to keep metal surfaces from contacting each other. First, let us look at what we are trying to accomplish with a lubricant. At its most microscopic layer, no matter the piece of equipment, we are simply trying to separate two opposing moving metal surfaces with a very thin layer of oil. Thin means approximately two to seven microns thin, smaller than what we can visibly see with our eyes. We also need to keep the lubricant dry and free of contaminants throughout its life expectancy. Accomplishing this feat will help protect your valuable production equipment and keep it running efficiently. Dutylex comes in here as well; we can help your operation with a comprehensive lubrication reliability program, uncovering hidden savings in the process.
Sawdust, moisture, acids, heavy loads and high speeds can create challenges for any lubricated equipment. The performance of the lubricant directly affects your operation’s short-term and long-term success. Downtime and parts replacement can be expensive. The labor required to make sure that lubrication is being done in the right place, at the right time, and in the right amount also can be costly.
Common lubricant suffering points for paper and pulp operations include:
Washers & Beaters – Water and acids are constant production problems. They either contaminate the lubricant in the equipment or wash out the lubricant, leaving your equipment unprotected. You need a lubricant that will last in your bearings, enclosed gears and open gears. Dutylex has high-performance lubricants that are extremely tacky, can withstand heavy loads and high temperatures, and more importantly, can suspend many of the contaminants in the lubricants.
Grinders & Fourdriniers – Sharp thrust-loads during grinding and pumping, combined with high-speed operation, can make grinders and fourdriniers run extremely hot. This type of equipment is subject to constant moisture and contaminants. Moisture leads to corrosion, early oxidation of the lubricant and impaired film strength. Dutylex has greases that are extremely tacky and nearly impervious to water. More important, we can help you keep water out of the equipment, excluding it from the process.
Calendar with Open Gears – Exposed gear teeth on the spur gear of a paper roll calendar experience a rapid rate of wear because of fast speed and heavy loads. Losing a gear because of lubrication failure can be very expensive. Dutylex had superior gear protection in mind with its VULTREX™ OGL Synthetic lubricants. Clinging tenaciously to metal surfaces, these open gear lubricants will not wash off and will protect the equipment from heavy loads and contaminants.