2024-09-11
Oil Seal Installation: A How To
One of the main principles of power transmission is consistent lubrication. Shaft seals play a hugely important role in this. Imagine a situation involving a shaft-mount reducer – electric motor prime mover, driven by belts, motion controlled by a torque arm – with an improperly seated seal. A blown-out input shaft seal is a nightmare situation, necessitating an entire breakdown and reassembly, not to mention re-aligning and re-tensioning the belts.The oil seal is our first line of defense in regards to keeping lubrication inside the reducer. It might also be described as the last line of defense – keeping contaminants outside the reducer where they belong. The average seal is incredibly simple in design – made up of a case, a lip or lips, and frequently a garter spring. Of course, some are exponentially more intricate and are manufactured with unusual materials, but the majority are straightforward.The care taken during the installation process will pay off by allowing the seal to work quietly and operate efficiently behind the scenes of your application.