How to maintain the lubrication system of a vertical lathe?

I. Daily Lubrication Check and Basic Maintenance

Before each shift, the oil level in the lubrication system must be checked, paying particular attention to whether the oil cups and oil windows are within the normal range and must not be lower than the lower limit of the oil level indicator. For CNC vertical lathes using automatic lubrication pumps, it is necessary to confirm that the lubrication pump is starting normally and that there is a continuous supply of oil from each oil outlet to avoid oil loss in critical parts due to oil circuit blockage.

Manual lubrication points such as the vertical tool post guide rail, crossbeam bearings, and side tool post wedges should be lubricated with L-AN46 total loss system oil every shift using an oil gun, ensuring "lubrication every shift, no leaks."

If the equipment is to be shut down for more than 8 hours, it should be run at low speed for 3-5 minutes before restarting to confirm that the lubrication system has built up pressure and the oil circuit is unobstructed before putting it into operation.

II. Operating Procedures for Key Lubrication Components
The spindle box, gearbox, and worktable transmission system typically use pressure lubrication or splash lubrication. N32–N46 machine oil is recommended, and it should be changed every 6 months. The first oil change can be performed 10–20 days after operation to remove metallic impurities generated during the initial break-in period.

The worm gear pair and lead screw nut of the beam lifting mechanism have higher lubrication requirements. The worm gear pair uses splash lubrication, and N70–N90 guide rail oil is recommended. The lead screw nut needs to be manually lubricated before each movement; N10 automotive machine oil is recommended to prevent dry friction and decreased accuracy.

For the meshing gears between the beam and the feed box, etc., yellow dry grease (ZC-3) should be added every 6 months to ensure even coverage of the gear surface and prevent oxidation and corrosion.

III. Periodic Deep Maintenance Measures
The lubricating oil in the main lubrication chambers such as the spindle box and slide box should be changed every 50–60 days. The oil tank, oil pipes, and oil filter should be cleaned with kerosene to prevent sludge buildup from affecting lubrication. New oil should be filtered before injection to ensure it meets cleanliness standards.

Regularly check the working pressure and oil output stability of the lubrication pump. If low oil pressure or slow build-up is detected, promptly investigate for pump wear, pipeline leaks, or filter blockage.

For equipment operating for extended periods, it is recommended to clean the lubrication pump tank every 3 months and clean the oil filler filter annually to prevent impurities from entering the core lubrication circuit.

IV. Common Lubrication Fault Identification and Handling When there is no oil dripping from the oil window, dry lubrication points, or abnormally high bearing temperature, immediately stop the machine for troubleshooting. Common causes include insufficient oil, filter blockage, pump failure, or pipeline leaks. The oil circuit can be tested by disconnecting the oil pipes and manually applying oil to determine if cleaning or component replacement is necessary.

For severe spindle box oil leakage, consider using molybdenum disulfide solid lubricant instead of traditional liquid oil. This not only completely solves the oil leakage and contamination problem but also simplifies the lubrication structure. It has been successfully applied in the modification of some C616 lathes.

To prevent cutting oil from contaminating the lubrication tank, it is recommended to add an independent filter to the system, or eliminate the cutting oil tank altogether and use MoS2 wax to lubricate the tools, achieving separation of lubrication and cooling.

V. Environmental Adaptability Maintenance Recommendations When operating in high or low temperature environments, a wide-temperature performance lubricant should be selected, such as Kunlun KTL(EP) extreme pressure turbine oil, with an applicable temperature range of 65–110℃, effectively addressing the risk of thermal deformation. During prolonged shutdowns in winter, accumulated water in the cooling system and water pumps must be drained to prevent frozen and cracked pipes from affecting the normal operation of the lubrication circulation system.