SKF Vectolub VTEC Guide

VTEC systems
SKF VectoLub
Installation and commissioning
Version 03
Date of issue March 2018
Publication number 951-130-440
Languages EN
Country/Countries ...

Minimal quantity
lubrication systems
VTEC
English translation of the original installation
and operation manual
1

Imprint
This manual – containing installation, opera-
tion and maintenance instructions complies
with EC-Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
and is an integral part of the described lubri-
cation system. It must be kept for future use.
This manual – containing installation, op-
eration and maintenance instructions was
created in accordance with the valid stan-
dards and regulations on documentation.
© SKF
This documentation is protected by copy-
right. All rights reserved. The photomechan-
ical reproduction, copying, and distribution
of this documentation or parts thereof by
means of processes such as data processing,
data carriers, and data networks is strictly
prohibited without the express permission of
SKF.
Subject to editorial or technical
modifications.
Service
For all technical questions, please contact:
SKF France
Lubrication Product Division
Bld Charles de Gaulle
B.P. 239
37540 St-Cyr-sur-Loire
FRANCE
Tel. [phone]
Fax [phone]
Or an SKF Service Centre, the addresses of
which are given on our website:
[e-mail]
www.skf.com
2

Contents
Minimal quantity lubrication systems
VTEC ............................1
Imprint ..........................2
Service ..........................2
Information concerning the EC
Declaration of Conformity and the EC
Declaration of Incorporation ........4
General..........................6
Meaning of symbols and corresponding
information .......................6
1. Safety instructions ..............7
1.1 Intended use...................7
1.2 Authorized personnel ............8
1.3 Danger relating to electric current . 8
1.4 Danger relating to system pressure. 8
1.5 Warranty and liability ............9
2. Lubricants ....................10
2.1 General ......................10
2.2 Selection of lubricants ..........11
2.3 Approved lubricants ............11
2.4 Lubricants and the environment ..12
2.5 Danger relating to lubricants .....12
3. Design and function ............13
3.1 Versions .....................13
3.2 Construction ..................15
3.3 Function .....................17
4. Installation instructions.........20
4.1 Positioning and installation ......20
4.2 Lubricant inlet connection .......21
4.3 Air inlet connection.............21
4.3 Outlet connection ..............22
4.4 Electric connection .............25
5. Transport, delivery and storage ..27
5.1 Transport ....................27
5.2 Delivery......................27
5.3 Storage ......................27
6. Activation.....................28
6.1 General ......................28
6.2 Bleeding and commissioning .....28
6.3 Micropump flow rate adjustment..30
6.4 Pneumatic pulse generator ......31
6.5 Carrier air pressure regulator ....31
7. Shutdown ....................33
7.1 Temporary shutdown ...........33
7.2 Permanent shutdown. . . . . . . . . . .33
8. Maintenance ..................34
9. Failures ......................35
10. Technical data ................38
11. Spare parts and accessories ....40
3

Information concerning the EC Declaration of Conformity and the EC
Declaration of Incorporation
For the product(s) designated below:
Minimal quantity lubrication system
Product line:
VTEC
SKF herewith certifies that it conforms to the
pertinent safety requirements set forth in
the following Council Directive(s) for the har-
monization of the laws of the Member
States...
• Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC
Note:
1 This declaration certifies conformity with
the aforementioned directive(s), but does
not contain any assurance of properties.
2 The safety instructions in the owner’s
manual must be observed.
3 The certified product must not be started
up until it is confirmed that the equip-
ment, machinery, vehicle or the like in
which the product was installed meets the
provisions and requirements of the na-
tional directives to be applied.
4 Operation of the products on non-stan-
dard main voltage as well as nonobser-
vance of installation instructions can affect
the EMC properties and electrical safety.
SKF further declares that the above men-
tioned product:
• is meant for integration into a machinery /
for connection to other machinery accord-
ing to the EC-Machinery Directive
2006/42/EC, Appendix II Part B. Starting
up the product is not permissible until it is
assured that the machinery, vehicle or the
like in which the product was installed
meets the provisions and requirements of
the regulations set forth in the EC Direc-
tive 2006/42/EC.
• with reference to the EC Directive 97/23/
EC concerning apparatus subjected to
pressure, this product must only be used
as intended and according to the Owner’s
manual. Especially observe the following:
–Products of SKF must not be used in
conjunction with fluids, group I (hazard-
ous fluids), according to the definition of
article 2 paragraph 2 of the Directive
67/548/EC dtd. 27thJune, 1967; and
are not approved for application with
such fluids.
–None of the products manufactured by
SKF can be used in conjunction with
gases, liquefied gases, pressurized gas-
es in solution and fluids with a vapor
pressure exceeding normal atmospher-
ic pressure (1013 mbar) by more than
0,5 bar at their maximum permissible
temperature.
4

–When used as intended, the products
supplied by SKF do not reach the limit
values listed in the Article 3 par. 1, sec-
tions 1.1 to 1.3 and par. 2 of the Direc-
tive 97/23/EC. Therefore, they do not
come under the requirements set forth
in annex I of that Directive.They are not
labeled with the CE mark with reference
to the Directive 97/23/EC. They are
classified by SKF to come under Article
3 par. 3 of the Directive.
–The EC Declaration of Conformity and
EC-Declaration of Incorporation is part
of the product documentation.
5

General
Meaning of symbols and
corresponding information
In this manual, the symbols and safety
wordings shown on this page are intended to
communicate a particular risk to persons,
material assets, or the environment.
All safety instructions must be respected
by person exposed to these risks.The safety
instructions must be communicated to all
other persons.
Instructions attached directly to the equip-
ment, such as
• rotational direction arrows
• fluid connection labels, etc.
must be respected and remain perfectly
legible.
It is essential to read these instructions
thoroughly and to respect the safety instruc-
tions given.
Table 1
Hazard symbols
Symbol Standard Meaning
DIN 4844-2 W000 General hazard
DIN 4844-2 W008 Voltage
DIN 4844-2 W026 Hot surface
DIN 4844-2 W028 Slippery floor
DIN 4844-2 W027 Risk of hand injury
DIN 4844-2 W55 Risk of pollution
6

1. Safety instructions
The described product was manufactured in
accordance with all generally acknowledged
regulations pertaining to technology, occu-
pational safety, and accident prevention.
However, dangers that can cause physical
injury to persons or damage to other mate-
rial assets might still occur during the use of
the product.
!These instructions must be read
and understood by all persons
who are involved with the installation,
operation, maintenance, and repair of
the product. These instructions must be
kept close to the equipment for future
reference.
Note that these installation instruc-
tions is an integral part of the product. It
must be handed over to the new opera-
tor of the product if the product is sold.
!In addition to the information pro-
vided in the installation instruc-
tions, all generally applicable regulations
on accident prevention and the environ-
ment must be observed.
1.1 Intended use
The described product is for supplying cen-
tralized lubrication systems with lubricant
and is intended for use in centralized lubri-
cation systems. Other use or use beyond this
purpose is considered unintended.
Products of SKF must not be used in con-
junction with substances and mixtures clas-
sified as hazardous by the Annex I part 2-5
of the CLP regulation (EC 1272/2008), and
identified with hazard pictograms GHS01-
GHS06 and GHS08.
None of the products manufactured by
SKF can be used in conjunction with gases,
liquefied gases, pressurized gases in solution
and fluids with a vapor pressure exceeding
normal atmospheric pressure (1013 mbar)
by more than 0.5 bar at their maximum per-
missible temperature.
Unless otherwise noted, products of SKF
must not be used in conjunction with explo-
sive atmospheres according to the ATEX-Di-
rective 2014/34/EU.
!All products from SKF may be
used only for their intended pur-
pose as described in this brochure and in
any instructions.
7

1.2 Authorized personnel
The products described in the installation in-
structions may only be installed, operated,
maintained, and repaired by qualified ex-
perts. Qualified experts are persons who
have been trained, instructed, and familiar-
ized with the end product into which the de-
scribed product is installed.
These persons are considered capable of
such tasks due to their education, training,
and experience with valid standards, condi-
tions, accident prevention regulations in ef-
fect, and installation conditions. They should
be able to carry out the required tasks and to
recognize – and thus avoid – any dangers
that might otherwise occur.
A definition of what constitutes a qualified
person and who are unqualified persons are
stipulated in DIN VDE 0105 and IEC 364.
1.3 Danger relating to electric
current
The electrical connection for the described
product may only be established by qualified,
instructed persons who have been autho-
rized by the operator or owner to carry out
this task. If the product is improperly con-
nected, substantial material or personal
damage my be the consequence.
DANGER!
Working on products that have
not been disconnected from the power
supply can cause serious injury or death
to persons. Installation, maintenance,
and repair work may only be carried out
by qualified experts on products that
have been disconnected from the power
supply. The supply voltage must be
turned off before any product compo-
nents are opened. .
1.4 Danger relating to system
pressure
DANGER!
Centralized lubrication systems
are under pressure when they are being
operated. Such systems must therefore
be depressurized before starting instal-
lation, maintenance, or repair work and
before making any changes to the
system.
8

1.5 Warranty
The instructions do not contain any informa-
tion on the warranty. This can be found in
the General Conditions of Sales, which are
available at: www.skf.com/lubrication.
9

2. Lubricants
2.1 General
!All SKF products must only be
used for their intended purpose
and in accordance with the specifications
of the installation instructions for the
product in question.
The intended use of this product is for the
centralized lubrication/lubrication of bear-
ings and wear points with lubricants. All
physical limitations of use stipulated in the
documentation of the product such as the
owner’s manual, technical drawings and cat-
alogs must be observed.
More specifically, we call your attention to
the fact that substances and mixtures classi-
fied as hazardous by the Annex I part 2-5 of
the CLP regulation (EC 1272/2008), and
identified with hazard pictograms GHS01-
GHS06 and GHS08, can only be used to feed
the SKF centralized lubrication systems,
transported or distributed by these systems
after consultation with SKF and obtaining
written permission.
All products manufactured by SKF are not
approved for use in conjunction with gases,
liquefied gases, pressurized gases in solution
and fluids with a vapor pressure exceeding
normal atmospheric pressure (1013 mbar)
by more than 0,5 bar at their maximum per-
missible temperature.
Should there be a need to use the product
to convey media other than lubricants or
hazardous substances, this must be dis-
cussed with SKF first and the company must
give express written permission.
In the opinion of SKF, lubricants constitute
a design element that must be considered
when selecting components and designing
centralized lubrication systems. The lubrica-
tion properties of the lubricants in question
must be considered.
10

!You must observe the machinery
manufacturer's information on
the lubricants to be used in the
machinery.
DANGER!
The manufacturer of the bearing
or machinery to be lubricated will specify
the lubricant requirements for each
point to be lubricated. You must make
sure that the required quantity of lubri-
cant is provided to the relevant lubricat-
ing point. If a lubricating point is insuf-
ficiently lubricated, the bearing may
become damaged or jammed.
While the machinery/bearing manufacturer
usually specifies lubricants, it is the owner/
operator (or maintenance person) who must
finally select the appropriate lubricant, with
the help of the lubricant supplier. When se-
lecting a lubricant, the type of bearing/wear
point, the stresses and strains to be expected
during operation, and anticipated ambient
conditions must be taken into account. All fi-
nancial/economic aspects must also be
considered.
!If required, SKF can help custom-
ers to select suitable components
for the conveyance of the selected lubri-
cant and to plan and design their cen-
tralized lubrication system.
If you have further questions, you can
contact SKF.
We can test lubricants in our own labora-
tory to establish their suitability for convey-
ance (e.g. 'oil separation' behavior) in cen-
tralized lubrication systems.
You can request an overview of lubricant
tests offered by SKF from our Service Center.
2.3 Approved lubricants
DANGER!
Only lubricants that have been
approved by SKF for use with the prod-
uct may be used. Unsuitable lubricants
can cause product malfunctions and
damage to property.
2.2 Selection of lubricants
11

Note that lubricants are harmful to the envi-
ronment and flammable; their transporta-
tion, storage, and processing are subject to
special precautionary measures. For specifi-
cations on transportation, storage, process-
ing, and dangers to the use and the environ-
ment for the lubricant, refer to the material
safety data sheet provided by or available
from the lubricant manufacturer. You can ask
the manufacturer of the lubricant for the
material safety data sheet.
DANGER!
Centralized lubrication systems
must be absolutely leak-free. Leaking
centralized lubrication systems can
cause a slip hazard. When performing
installation, maintenance, and repairs
test the centralized lubrication system
for leaks. Leaky parts of the centralized
lubrication system or components of the
lubrication equipment have to be sealed
immediately.
Leaking centralized lubrication systems or
components of the lubrication equipment
are a source of danger in relation to slip haz-
ard and the risk of injury. These dangers can
cause physical injury to persons or damage
to other material assets.
2.5 Danger relating to
lubricants
DANGER!
Different lubricants must not be
mixed together. Doing so can cause
damage and require extensive cleaning
of the products/centralized lubrication
system. To prevent confusion, we recom-
mend that you attach information indi-
cating the lubricant to be used on the lu-
bricant reservoir.
The described product can be operated with
lubricants that comply with the specifications
in the technical data.
Note that some lubricants may have prop-
erties that lie within the permitted limit val-
ues and yet not be suitable for use in cen-
tralized lubrication systems for other
reasons. For example, some synthetic lubri-
cants are not compatible with elastomers.
2.4 Lubricants and the
environment
DANGER!
Lubricants can contaminate the
ground and watercourses. Lubricants
must be used and disposed of in compli-
ance with the rules. Instructions and lo-
cal regulations must be observed when
handling lubricants.
12

Refer to safety precautions in the lubricant
manufacturer's material safety data sheet.
Lubricants are hazardous substance. It is
essential to respect any safety instructions
given in the lubricant safety data sheet. You
can ask the manufacturer of the lubricant for
the material safety data sheet.
3. Design and function
3.1 Versions
The VTEC system is a modular system,
which can comprise up to 8 modules. These
modules corresponds to bases with various
functions (†page 19).
Every model of a VTEC unit has a codifica-
tion, which the user has indicated when
ordering.
In order to easy identify the current VTEC
unit and to know its different functions, we
suggest you to write down the unit codifica-
tion given when the order has been placed.
The table hereafter will help you to identify
every module of the VTEC unit and the dif-
ferent functions.
The codification system is the same for
every module. A module has a three-char-
acters reference. The first module is always
the one with the lubricant and compressed
air inlets.
The last three numbers of the codification
correspond to the voltage key of the VTEC
unit:
!If a minimal quantity lubrication
unit is not listed in table 2, please
refer to the delivered technical sheet to
know the specific technical data of the
minimal quantity lubrication unit.
• + 428 : 230 V, 50/60 Hz
• + 429 : 115 V, 50/60 Hz
• + 924 : 24 V DC
13

Table 2
VTEC codification
VTEC - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . - . . . + . . .
First character
Abase alone
B base with pneumatic pulse generator
C base with air solenoid valve
D base with pneumatic pulse generator + air solenoid valve
E base + GS304P alone
F base + GS304P with pneumatic pulse generator
G base + GS304P with air solenoid valve
H base + GS304P with pneumatic pulse generator + air solenoid valve
I base with general air solenoid valve
J base alone (directly controlled by base ‘I’)
K base + GS304P alone (directly controlled by base ‘I’)
Second character
Amicropump, metering ring, max. flow rate 30 mm3/stroke
B micropump, thumb wheel, max. flow rate 30 mm3/stroke
C micropump, metering ring, stainless steel, max. flow rate 30mm3/stroke
D micropump, thumb wheel, stainless steel, max. flow rate 30mm3/stroke
E micropump, metering ring, max. flow rate 90mm3/stroke
F micropump, thumb wheel, max. flow rate 90mm3/stroke
G micropump, metering ring, stainless steel, max. flow rate 90mm3/stroke
H micropump, thumb wheel, stainless steel, max. flow rate 90mm3/stroke
Z no micropump (only with base ‘I’ – general air solenloid valve)
Third character
Zno air monitoring
M air flow monitoring with manometer
P air flow monitoring with pressure switch
14

3.2 Construction
The VTEC unit is a modular lubrication sys-
tem comprising up to 8 different modules.
The unit is mounted on a standard fixing rail.
Figure 1 shows one model of a VTEC unit
with 7 different modules. Every module has
a base with different functions.
This is a front side view with the com-
pressed air and lubricant inlets on the left
side.
The VTEC unit has one lubricant inlet with
quick-release connector, and two com-
pressed air inlet with quick-release
connector.
But only one air inlet port is used, the oth-
er being closed with a screw plug. The lower
air inlet port is used when the first module
has a “i” base (with a general air solenoid
valve). The upper inlet port is used with ev-
ery other bases.
Except the “I” base, with the general air
solenoid valve, all other bases work in the
same way.
Every module has on the top an outlet
port for coaxial hose air and lubricant with
two quick-release connectors. The quick-re-
lease connector for the capillary tube (lubri-
cant) is located beneath the quick-release
connector for the outer tube (air).The user
can set the carrier air pressure with a pres-
sure regulator. The air flow can be monitored
either with a manometer or with a pressure
switch.
A pneumatic micropump is mounted un-
der every module. The user can adjust the
flow rate of the pump with metering rings or
with a thumb wheel.
A module can have up to three different
additional equipments on the front side:
• a pneumatic pulse generator to adjust the
delivery frequency of the micropump
• an air solenoid valve to control the air inlet
for the pneumatic micropump.
• a flow sensor, type GS304P, to monitor
the oil flow of the module.
Every module can have one, two or three
of the equipment, and even none. According
to the equipment a module is “slave” or
“master”.
15

1 standard fixing rail
2 fixing clips
3 manometer, general air monitoring
4 manometer, carrier air monitoring
5 coaxial outlet port (air and oil)
6 pressure switch, carrier air monitoring
7 carrier air pressure regulator
8 air inlet port
9 air inlet port (module with a general air so-
lenoid valve)
10 Lubricant inlet
11 General air solenoid valve
12 Pneumatic pulse generator
13 Pneumatic micropump, setting with thumb
wheel
14
Pneumatic micropump, setting with meter-
ing ring
15 Micropump control solenoid valve
16 Pneumatic pulse generator and an air sole-
noid valve (control of micropump) put to-
gether with a connection plate
17 Base without additional equipment (A)
18 Oil flow sensor GS304P
19 Base without additional equipment (J)
Fig. 1
Overview of a VTEC unit
Model: VTEC-IZM-BBM-CAZ-DBP-ABZ-HBM-JAZ+ 924
1 2 3 5 6 7
8910 11
12
13 14 16
15 17 19
4
18
16

3.3 Function
When the VTEC unit is switched on, it is sup-
plied with compressed air (5 to 8 bar) and
with lubricant (0,1 to 0,5 bar).
The lubricant flows through the different
bases to the volumetric pneumatic micro-
pump. The delivery frequency of the micro-
pump ( max. 3 stroke/s) is independently ad-
justed with either a pneumatic pulse
generator or a solenoid valve, which is con-
trolled via a control unit. The flow rate of the
micropump can be adjusted with metering
rings or with a thumb wheel.
The micropump delivers a metered quan-
tity of lubricant, which goes through inner
channel of the base to the coaxial outlet port.
The lubricant flow can be monitored at the
micropump outlet with a flow sensor type
GS304P.
The compressed air also flows through
the different bases and is divided in two ways
in each of them. Some compressed air is
supplied to the micropump to actuate it. The
other part of the compressed air (called car-
rier air) is supplied to the coaxial outlet port
and goes through the outer tube of the hose.
The carrier air pressure of every base can be
adjusted with a pressure regulator. This
pressure can be also monitored by means of
a manometer or a pressure switch.
The low-pressure carrier air and lubricant
are simultaneously transported via the co-
axial hose to the nozzle. The carrier air is
swirled in the nozzle. As a result, the me-
tered quantity of lubricant is broken down
into microdroplets, which are transported by
the carrier air to the friction point without
causing any mist.The microdroplet size
(200/600 μm) ensures a perfect lubricant
coating without atomization.
Fig. 2
123
Projection nozzle for VTEC
1 Carrier air
2 Lubricant
3 Turbulence zone
17

3.3.1 Master module and slave module
!When a VTEC unit is seen from
the front side (as on figure 1), the
first module is on the left side with lubri-
cant and air inlets – module position or-
der from left to right.
When a module doesn’t have one (or several)
of the control equipments (general air sole-
noid valve, air solenoid valve or pneumatic
pulse generator) it will depend for this func-
tion on the module mounted upstream,
which has the equipment(s). The upstream
module with the equipment is called ‘master
module’ and the other ‘slave module’.
Table 3 shows the different modules with
their main functions according to their
equipment.
18