The Formtek Blog

Roll Forming Machinery Lubrication Guide

Written by Formtek | May 25, 2023

Machine lubrication is a critically important step of your roll forming maintenance schedule. Proper lubrication keeps your machinery in top working order so you can form consistent, high-quality products and make the most of your equipment investments. In this post, we'll outline a standard roll forming machinery lubrication guide for your operators and maintenance technicians to follow.

As an important note, lubrication requirements will vary depending upon design and operating conditions. Be sure to consult manufacturers' operating procedures and recommendations for maintenance and lubrication, especially for custom or specialized roll forming machinery.

Lubrication Guide for Common Roll Forming Machinery

Machine Part Type Service Period Lubricant
Cold Roll Forming Machines and Tube Mills Bearings Anti-Friction Every 8 Hours Mobilux EP2
    Plain Sleeve Every 8 Hours Mobilux EP2
  Gear Drives

Combination Spur and Worm

Maintain Levels Mobil Gear 630 (See note 1)
    Spur Only Maintain Levels Mobil Gear 630 (See note 1)
    Worm Only Maintain Levels

Mobil Gear 630 (See note 1)

   

Slow Speed Gear Sets

Maintain Levels

Mobil Gear SHC 630 (Synthetic) (See note 1)

    Gear Cases w/ Forced Lube System or Spray Fill as Required

Mobil Gear SHC 630 (Synthetic) (See note 1)

    Double Enveloping Worm Gears or Cone Drive Units    

Mobil Gear SHC 630 (Synthetic) (See note 1)

 

Chain Drives

Silent - Open or Closed

Weekly Mobil Vactra Oil Extra Heavy
   

Enclosed Roller Chain

 

Mobil D.T.E. 26

 

Couplings

Chain Type

Monthly

Mobilux EP2

   

Gear or Enclosed Type

Yearly

Mobilux EP2

 

Hydraulic Power Units

Pump and Motor Supply Systems - Petroleum, Mineral Oil based

 

**Mobil D.T.E. Series Oils

   

Phosphate Ester or Water Glycol Systems Are Based on User Requirement - All Pumps, Seals and System Components Must be Compatible

   
 

Pneumatic Systems

Cylinders & Other Pneumatic Actuators

Filter, Regulator, Lubricator Units - Fill as Required

Mobil D.T.E. 24

 

Welder Bearing Boxes

 

Every 3 Months

Tower RL-2

 

Mill Sumps

Dilutes up to 19:1 (5%) with tap water

 

Tower Oil Rollform 1054-RF

Automatic Cutoff Machines Mechanical

Bearings

Anti-friction and plain

Every 8 hours

Mobilux EP2

 

Pneumatic Cylinders

 

Regulator, Filter, Lubricator Units - Fill as Required

Mobil D.T.E. 24

 

Air Clutch

 

Do Not Lubricate

 

 

Ways

 

Weekly

Mobil Vactra 4

Automatic Cutoff Machines Pneumatic

Bearings 

Anti-friction and plain

Every 8 hours

Mobilux EP2

 

Pneumatic Supply Systems

 

Regulator, Filter, Lubricator Units - Fill as Required

Mobil D.T.E. 24

 

Guide Posts

 

 

Tower RL-2

Automatic Cutoff Machines Rotary

Bearings

Anti-friction and plain

Every 8 hours

Mobilux EP2

 

Gear Drives

   

Mobil Gear 630

 

Chain Drive

Silent

 

Mobil D.T.E. 26

 

Hydraulic Power Units

Pump and Motor Supply Systems - Petroleum, Mineral Oil based

 

**Mobil D.T.E. Series Oils

   

Phosphate Ester or Water Glycol Systems Are Based on User Requirement - All Pumps, Seals and System Components Must be Compatible

   
 

Pneumatic Cylinders

 

Regulator, Filter, Lubricator Units - Fill as Required

Mobil D.T.E. 24

 

Ways

 

Weekly

Mobil Vactra 4

Automatic Cutoff Machines Abrasive or Saw

 

Bearings

Anti-friction and plain

Every 8 hours

Mobilux EP2

 

Hydraulic Power Units

Pump and Motor Supply Systems - Petroleum, Mineral Oil based

 

**Mobil D.T.E. Series Oils

 

 

Phosphate Ester or Water Glycol Systems Are Based on User Requirement - All Pumps, Seals and System Components Must be Compatible

   
 

Pneumatic Cylinders

 

Regulator, Filter, Lubricator Units - Fill as Required

Mobil D.T.E. 24

 

Ways

 

Weekly

Mobil Vactra 4

Automatic Central Lubrication Systems

 

All

Fill as Required Set Cycles to System Requirements

Mobilux EP1

** Grade selection to be based upon hydraulic pump manufacturer’s specifications and conditions.

Note 1: At strip speeds of less than 30 fpm, use Mobil SHC 630