Metering devices for progressive lubrication systems
Progressive lubrication systems are characterized by the fact that the lubrication points are supplied with oil or grease one after the other. The progressive metering device is of particular importance in this lubrication system. It ensures that the lubrication points are progressively supplied with a precisely defined amount of lubricant. Block distributors, disc distributors and modular distributors are generally used in such systems. These differ both in the number of outlets and in the flow rate per outlet.
Progressive lubrication systems can provide oils and greases with a working pressure of up to 250 bar. Thanks to the progressive metering device, which can be expanded almost as required, up to 150 lubrication points can be supplied in complex systems. If a quantity limiter is used, around 1,000 lubrication points can even be supplied with oil.
In addition to the metering device, the progressive system consists of a pump and the necessary main and lubrication point lines. Depending on the application and the number of points to be supplied, metering devices are divided into main and secondary metering devices. Progressive lubrication systems with block, disc or modular distributors are mainly used in mobile machines and vehicles as well as in presses, machine tools and wood and metal processing systems.
Technical basics of progressive metering devices
Progressive metering devices differ from single-line metering devices on the one hand in terms of the number of lubrication points per distributor and on the other hand in terms of the way they work. Metering devices in progressive lubrication systems can supply up to 20 lubrication points depending on the model. The lubricant is delivered gradually and not at the same time as with other systems. The progressive system is suitable for both consumption and circulation lubrication systems.
Technically, the progressive metering device is based on a sophisticated combination of pistons and dosing elements. In the first step, the lubricant conveyed by the pump presses the piston of a dosing element into its end position, causing the oil on the other side to exit the valve and be transported to the assigned lubrication point. Since this movement releases the piston of the next dosing element, this process is repeated until all lubrication points have been supplied. This principle of operation is basically the same for block metering devices, disc metering devices and modular metering devices.
Advantages of lubrication systems with progressive metering devices
Progressive lubrication systems ensure permanent lubricant delivery from many different lubrication points and can therefore be used in complex systems. Both the dimensioning as well as the construction and operation are comparatively uncomplicated and economical to do.
If required, the system can be expanded at any time with further progressive metering devices to supply even more lubrication points. If, for example, a system has a central main metering devices and two sub-distributors, then a further sub-distributor can be installed to supply lubrication points if required.
Block distributors, disc distributors and modular distributors
The three types of block distributors, disc distributors and modular distributors differ primarily in terms of the number of outlets. Disk distributors are suitable, for example, for small to medium-sized plants and are often used in vehicles and construction machinery. The design can be operated with oil as a lubricant at up to 200 bar and with grease at up to 300 bar. Block distributors are suitable for similar pressures and can supply between 3 and 20 outlets with lubricant. So-called segment distributors are also suitable for larger systems and provide up to 3,200 mm³ of lubricant for each outlet.
