Press Lubrication

[jlind]

Curious whether anyone in cyberpress world has ever tried a product called Motorsilk in their printing press(es).
According to what I have recently seen in a slide show at viridissolutions.com, a printer might be interested in this for a few possible reasons:
1. Lubrication is greatly improved, and maybe use less energy while operating the press
2. Wear of press and oil is greatly reduced, requiring longer time between oil changes
3. The technology might make an older model behave like a new model

Now, before you put anything into a new press, you should make sure that it is an approved product to not void warranties. For German presses, I think FOGRA tests such additives for deleterious effects on elastomers and seals. I'm not sure whether Komori has a similar Underwriter's program.

Just curious. No, I'm not a distributor. Yes, I discovered it as an automotive application, since like 1 and 2 above, it promises increased gas and operation efficiency, and we all know what's happening with the price of energy. I look forward to a few comments.

John Lind
Cranberry Township, PA
724-776-4718

 

[gordo]

According to what I have recently seen in a slide show at viridissolutions.com

The correct URL is: Viridis Solutions :: Boron CLS Bond®

best, gordon p

 

[Servicetech]

One of the main problems with such a product is that as an automotive product, it is designed to change the properties of a given amount of engine oil, say 4-8 quarts (or more for a large truck application)

Take a 5 color Komori for example that will hold 20+ gallons of oil, for an additive (friction modifier) to change the properties of that amount of oil, it would likely cost a small fortune for enough additive to make any difference.

All oils already have an additive package in them, Gear oils are different from hydraulic oils, which are different than internal combustion engine oils...ect, For example an IC engine has a far different lubrication environment than a printing press, therefore if you use an automotive oil, you may not be lubricating your press properly because the oil/additive is designed for a completely different environment.

I would also note that it is possible to modify the properties of the oil with an additive in a negative way, this is exactly why most major oil makers say to NEVER use an additive, as an after market oil additive will have an essentially unknown effect on any given oil with an existing additive package in it.

Just $0.02 take it or leave it.

 

[Kostagh]

As far as I can make it the technology seems quite reliable. First of all, the product BORON CLS BOND does not aim at modifying the properties of the lubricant. Instead, it achieves a very hard coating on the metal surface of the parts involved (regardless of metal in question), coating that also performs as a solid lubricant, easing friction between conjugated parts (shaft and bearing for instance or gear teeth). I would dare to say therefore (though I'm not a specialist in lubrication chemistry) that it is less prone to modification of the lubricant (except for the fact that boron delays metal catalised oxidation of oils, a normal process that takes place in the present of an oxygen based atmosphere). In my opinion, delay of oil oxidation is definitely a positive thing. Protection of metal from corrosion is another positive thing, while covering the metal with a hard layer is also positive. The amount used does not depend on the amount of oil but rather on the surfaces that need covering. I for one intent to test it, for starting in less important machines (I've got an old saddle stitcher for instance and an even older three sided trimmer that I think are just fine). The trimmer uses hidraulic pressing so, I will use it in the hidraulic too. And also an ancient baling press... Hmmm... But first we'll see what are the costs. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[turbotom1052]

id stick with the manufacturers suggested lubricants. one think you need to consider putting an additive into any oil for any application is the effect the additive will have on seals. from my many years of working with motorcycles i can tell you that gaskets can be effected by some oil additives. Id hate to see you add a bunch of expensive snake oil only to find that your gaskets all deteriorate and start weeping oil. before i went with an oil additive id be looking to find out if on the list of manufacturers "APPROVED" lubricants there isnt an option for a fully synthetic oil. Im a firm believer in the use of sythentic lubricants when it comes to automotive applications. Ive got to think that a full synthetic or a synthetic blend would at the least offer some better lubricating properties than a conventional fossil lubricant.