Chain lubrication change saved GBP 30,000

Following the changeover to the new food grade oil, savings in non replacement of chain were some GBP 30,000, and can output increased up to almost 3 million cans/year.

Can manufacturers are constantly striving to meet the requirements of their customers who need a regular and consistent supply of high quality cans in order to meet the demands of the retail market.

Can coating/decorating is just one area in the manufacturing process which can seriously affect the production output due to the excessive downtime on the pin chains.

Over 12 months ago such an example of chain failure due to lubrication problems was brought to our attention.

Reputed to be the most difficult within the group, this area had a history of over proportional down time with excessive operational costs and poor production output.

Lubrication problems on this line led to can contamination which meant a programme of continuous can inspection.

With chain life in the region of only 1 - 2 months, replacement chain costs in the region of GBP 8,000 a time and suppliers demanding food grade manufacturing assurance, system improvements were critically required.

Kluber Lubrication were consulted and a long term support programme was initiated using the specially designed Kluber synthetic NSF H1 authorised food grade oil, Kluberfood NH1 C6-150, for lubrication of the high speed, high temperature pin chain system Kluberfood NH1 C 6-150 is a special synthetic high-temperature oil on a polyglycol base developed for the lubrication of chains operating through can and tin-plate curing, lacquering and decorating ovens.

Its formulation, incorporating a special additive package, enables significant friction reduction and good protection against wear and fretting corrosion particularly in the highly stressed pin/bush areas.

Kluberfood NH1 C 6-150 has a good viscosity-temperature behaviour resulting in lowest oil losses and good wear protection when permanently exposed to high temperature influences.

Twelve months later, following the changeover to the new food grade oil and with Kluber support, the situation has vastly improved with savings in non replacement of chain - at approximately GBP 30,000 - and increased production can output up to almost 3 million cans/year.

* Tangible benefits achieved from the use of Kluberfood NH1 C6-150 : * NSF H1 food grade lubrication regime attained.

* Ovens much cleaner internally, less residues, less cleaning required.

* Five fold increase in pin chain life.

(10 months chain life achieved to date).

* Greatly improved service-support realised from partnership with Kluber Lubrication (GB) compared to previous lubrication supplier.

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