11.Automatic Grease Lubrication System: Equipment, Applications, and Solutions

Automatic Grease Lubrication System: Equipment, Applications, and Solutions

An Automatic Grease Lubrication System (AGLS) is a centralized grease lubrication system designed to automatically deliver accurately measured grease to multiple lubrication points of industrial and heavy-duty equipment. By replacing manual greasing operations, the system ensures stable lubrication, reduces friction and wear, prevents contamination, and significantly improves equipment reliability, uptime and operating life.

Modern industrial applications demand stable lubrication under continuous operation, high load, vibration, and harsh environmental conditions. An Automatic Grease Lubrication System ensures the right amount of grease is delivered at the right time—fully eliminating the common problems of over-lubrication and under-lubrication.

System Overview

By using pump pressure, grease is evenly distributed to all lubrication points, enabling continuous and stable lubrication—even while equipment remains in operation.

An AGLS supplies grease according to preset intervals and volumes while the machine remains in operation. A complete Automatic Grease Lubrication System typically includes:

Grease Pump:
Provides pressure to deliver grease across the system. Options include electric, pneumatic, and manual-assisted configurations.

Grease Reservoir:

Grease reservoirs are available in cup-type and bellows-type designs, providing flexible solutions for different system requirements. A cup-type grease reservoir supports both manual and pneumatic refilling, offering flexible capacity options. However, proper handling during refilling is essential to prevent air ingress and contamination, which may affect lubrication performance.

A bellows-type grease reservoir, also known as a bellows-type grease cartridge, is a sealed and collapsible grease container designed to dispense grease without air intake. This design effectively reduces contamination risks and maintenance downtime, while ensuring stable and reliable grease delivery for automatic lubrication systems.

Piping Network:
High-pressure tubing designed to withstand grease viscosity, delivery pressure, and mechanical vibration.

Distributor/Metering Valves:
Precisely regulate the grease to each lubrication point. Depending on system design, metering devices may include progressive divider blocks, dual-line metering valves, single-line injectors, or micro-dosing elements.
Related Products: CFB Type Grease Volume Distributor or CV Type Progressive Feeder

Control Unit (e.g., PLC or timer):
Manages lubrication intervals, pressure monitoring, cycle timing, fault detection, and alarm outputs. Ensures proper system functionality and predictive maintenance capability. With automatic delivery at preset intervals and accurate metering volumes, the system stabilizes lubrication performance and reduces maintenance costs throughout the machine’s lifecycle.

Automatic Grease Lubrication System eliminates the common problems of over-lubrication and under-lubrication that naturally occur with manual maintenance.

Comparison: Automatic vs. Manual Lubrication

Item	Manual Lubrication	Automatic Lubrication System
Lubrication Consistency	Operator-dependent, excessive or insufficient lubrication	Precise and consistent dosing with stable performance
Labor Costs	High labor request	reduced manpower and maintenance time
Machine Downtime	Requires shutdown for lubrication	lubrication during operation
Safety	Direct exposure to heat or hazardous areas	No manual contact needed, higher safety
Component Lifespan	Shortened due to inconsistent lubrication	30–50% service life extension

System Types and Configurations

To support different machine structures and lubrication requirements, Automatic Grease Lubrication System(AGLS) can be configured in several types:

Lubrication System Type Key Features

Resistance Lubrication Type Simple structure and economical installation. Suitable for small to medium machines with moderate lubrication demands. Relies on pressure and line resistance for grease flow.

Progressive Lubrication Type Uses progressive dividers to sequentially deliver grease. Ideal for equipment with many lubrication points and offers clog-detection capability.

Back-Pressure / Pressurized Lubrication Type Uses pressure-controlled metering devices to ensure stable output even under long piping distances, high back-pressure, or demanding environmental conditions.

Dual-Line Lubrication Type Designed for large-scale equipment with long lubrication distances. Alternates between two main lines for reliable grease delivery in harsh environments such as steel mills or mining operations.

Micro Grease Lubrication Type Provides ultra-small, precisely metered grease quantities for high-speed or high-precision mechanisms requiring minimal residual grease.

Industrial Lubrication Applications

Automatic grease lubrication systems are widely used across industries including:

Heavy machinery and construction equipment

CNC machines and industrial automation machinery

Mining, quarrying, and material processing

Steel, metalworking machinery, and foundry applications

Transportation fleets and commercial vehicles and agricultural equipment

These systems ensure consistent lubrication even under harsh environments such as dust, high temperature, and heavy load, intermittent operation, and outdoor conditions.

Advantages of an Automatic Grease Lubrication System

Accurate and consistent grease delivery

Reduced downtime and energy consumption

Lower maintenance labor cost and improved workplace safety

Extended bearing and mechanical component life

Enhanced system reliability and stability under continuous operation

Enhanced equipment reliability and productivity

Conclusion

An Automatic Grease Lubrication System is essential for modern industry, providing precise, reliable, and highly efficient lubrication performance. With years of expertise in Centralized Lubrication System design and manufacturing, Chen Ying offers comprehensive lubrication solutions tailored to diverse industrial needs. Selecting the right system type and maintaining proper operation ensures long-term equipment protection and stable production performance.

Lubrication System Type	Key Features
Resistance Lubrication Type	Simple structure and economical installation. Suitable for small to medium machines with moderate lubrication demands. Relies on pressure and line resistance for grease flow.
Progressive Lubrication Type	Uses progressive dividers to sequentially deliver grease. Ideal for equipment with many lubrication points and offers clog-detection capability.
Back-Pressure / Pressurized Lubrication Type	Uses pressure-controlled metering devices to ensure stable output even under long piping distances, high back-pressure, or demanding environmental conditions.
Dual-Line Lubrication Type	Designed for large-scale equipment with long lubrication distances. Alternates between two main lines for reliable grease delivery in harsh environments such as steel mills or mining operations.
Micro Grease Lubrication Type	Provides ultra-small, precisely metered grease quantities for high-speed or high-precision mechanisms requiring minimal residual grease.