Published 2023-05-31
Safe temperatures important for leading lubricant producer
In a state-of-the-art facility in Västerhaninge, FUCHS Lubricants Sweden AB produces 38,000 tons of lubricants annually for customers throughout the Nordic region. Accurate temperature measurement is essential in both the laboratory and in manufacturing. As part of ensuring high quality in all parts of the business, some 50 sensors are calibrated each year by Nordtec.
Founded in Germany in the 1930s, FUCHS is one of the world’s leading lubricant companies. Since its inception, it has had a strong focus on research and development and has worked closely with customers to understand their realities and needs. This philosophy also permeates FUCHS Nordic, which has provided customers in Sweden and its neighboring countries with customized lubricants in the premium segment since the 1990s.
State-of-the-art lubricant production
The FUCHS product portfolio consists of more than 1,300 different products in the form of engine oil, hydraulic oil, gear oil, metalworking fluids and so on. These oils are produced for the vast majority of applications and industries from automotive and manufacturing to forestry, power and food industries.
– “All production is based on orders and many steps and flows are automated,” says Karin Lagerstedt, head of the technology department.
Mixtures with specific properties
Briefly, the production of lubricants is as follows: the basic raw material of a lubricant is base oil, which is then mixed with a number of different additives to provide or improve different properties.
– This may involve optimizing the oil’s lubricating ability or optimizing how the oil’s viscosity changes with temperature,” says My Persson, lab manager and responsible for quality control.
– The oils are also adapted to be used in either low or high temperatures and to work optimally in certain contexts, for example in a certain type of gearbox,” says Karin Lagerstedt.
The mixtures of oils and additives are heated with stirring to dissolve and become homogeneous lubricants.
It is always quick and easy when Nordtec calibrates our instruments.
My Persson
Laboratory manager at Fuchs
Several rigorous quality controls
– “When the mixture is ready, a sample is taken and sent to the quality control department, where the lab performs a number of analyses to ensure that the oil meets the requirements specification,” says My Persson.
– Such an analysis package can take anywhere from half an hour to up to 16 hours depending on the specific characteristics of the oil and how it will be used.
A successful analysis means that the oil goes on to filling – where it undergoes a further check. After the green light from the lab, the oil is bottled in different packaging, put into storage or sent directly to customers.
Extensive sustainability work
FUCHS has a strong focus on sustainability in a number of areas. For example, they are actively working to find alternative, lower-rated chemicals in their mixtures.
– We see it as an obligation to do everything we can to minimize the impact of our products on the environment and people, directly and indirectly,” says My Persson.
Circular flows through the reuse of used oils is another hot development area that is much talked about in the industry and something that FUCHS has a strong focus on. Energy consumption is another priority area. FUCHS has started installing solar panels to power its facility.
Full control of temperatures
Keeping a close eye on temperatures is important from a manufacturing point of view but also to ensure good energy optimization.
– “It is important that the raw materials are at the right temperature, because if they are too cold they become highly viscous and difficult to pump into the production process,” says Karin Lagerstedt.
– It is very important for us to keep track of the temperature levels in our mixers, otherwise the end products will not be good. At the same time, we want to avoid heating them too much and risking large energy losses,” adds My Persson.
FUCHS has been working for many years with Nordtec, which annually calibrates around 40 temperature sensors in tanks used both for the storage of raw materials and in production. In addition, about ten sensors are calibrated in the lab. The sensors are calibrated at measuring points of 20, 60 and 100 °C, which are representative temperature levels for all parts of the operation.
Cost-effective field calibration
The field calibration, i.e. the fact that all calibration is done on site, offers great advantages for FUCHS.
– It is a very cost-effective solution for us, says Karin Lagerstedt and elaborates:
– It eliminates the need to disassemble and send our sensors to Nordtec’s lab, which saves us a lot of time. We would then also need many extra temperature sensors. Basically double sets of everything.
Karin and My appreciate the cooperation with Nordtec for many reasons. Since FUCHS is a certified supplier to the automotive industry, measuring equipment must undergo an accredited calibration, something that Nordtec can offer.
Estimated presence in Mälardalen
– “It is always quick and easy when Nordtec calibrates our instruments,” say Karin and My.
Nordtec’s calibration engineers are familiar with the operation and have learned when it is best to calibrate the sensors in different parts of the plant.
– They are flexible and always perform the calibrations without affecting the production of lubricants. There is simply as little disruption as possible for us.
Nordtec’s new establishment in Uppsala last year is also something that Karin and My highlight. They appreciate the proximity and increased level of service that this brings.
– The fact that Nordtec now has a local presence in Mälardalen is a clear advantage for us. We see this as very positive!
FUCHS
Business: FUCHS Lubricants Sweden AB is part of a global group with German roots that develops, produces and distributes a wide range of lubricants. In close cooperation with its customers, FUCHS develops innovative and customized lubricant solutions for all industries, such as automotive, manufacturing, construction, energy and transport, food, forestry, steel, metal and cement industries.
Measurement service: Around 50 temperature sensors in the lab, warehouse and manufacturing are calibrated (at the 20, 60 and 100°C measurement points) annually by Nordtec so that FUCHS is aware of accurate temperature levels in all areas of the business.
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Contact persons
CALIBRATION
Maria Almestål
Responsibilities: Lab Manager – Calibration
maria.almestal@nordtec.se
031-704 10 82
031-704 10 70