D D Engineering of Kings Lynn produces an item that, quite literally, fills a hole in the Self-lube Bearing greasing market, as David Dew explains.
“There are several ways of lubricating parts that are buried deep in machinery. On complex equipment a pumped automatic greasing unit that supplies oil to all the parts may be incorporated – but this is expensive. One popular method is pressurised grease-filled pots squeezing lubricant into bearings. When the pot is empty, it needs to be accessed for replacement. Or you can use an adaptor in the bearing housing and apply the lubricant using a standard grease gun, via a nipple and a pipe. These are the components we supply through bearing distributors.’
Marketed under the name of ‘Do-Its’, there are several adaptor kits for different bearings, and copper or high strength nylon piping for use on agricultural machines, canning equipment, quarries, conveyors and similar assemblies.
One such item is a right-angled stem elbow used for tight bends when there is little room above the bearing. Originally, this elbow was bought-in as a machined hot-brass stamping. However, when the manufacturer increased the price to an unacceptable level, Mr Dew set about designing an alternative.
“By creating the right angled joint from two simple pieces of machined bar, and bonding them together, I would achieve the same function and, importantly, maintain my price structure,” he explains.
Of course, the two parts needed to resist several hundred bar internal grease pressure if they are to be satisfactory. Already familiar with its Loctite brand products, David turned to Henkel for the solution.
Calculations showed that Loctite 603 anaerobic adhesive met the requirements. Its oil tolerance avoided cleaning operations and, being anaerobic, it only cures when air is excluded from the joint. Any adhesive left outside the joint can be readily wiped away.
After the adhesive has cured, the assembly is drilled, opening the internal passageway. The nut and olive is then assembled in a manner that provides a lower head-height than was previously the case.
According to Mr Dew, using Loctite adhesive has enabled him to remain competitive and supply a product that is totally reliable.