Interlube into LAP
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• Interlube Systems of Plymouth has again chosen London Artid Plastics (LAP) to make critical mouldings, this time for its new XL automatic lubrication system for trailers.
Eighteen months ago, the Slough-based company provided technically demanding mouldings for reservoirs and Interlube's XGS and MX systems.
This time LAP is also manufacturing the reservoir's nylon top-covers and the pump housing. The translucent reservoir allows the user to check the level and quality of the oil.
For this reason, it is essential that it remains translucent; also, since the four-litre reservoir is the main structural element of the assembly, bolted directly to the trailer chassis, it must withstand vibration and fatigue and remain unaffected by heat.
A feature is a heat distribution shield, which circulates the heat generated by the pump motor throughout the contents of the reservoir, ensuring that the lubricant remains uniformly viscous at low temperature.
Without adequate heat distribution, cold weather would cause the lubricant at the outer perimeter to chill and adhere to the reservoir wall.
Only the relatively warmer Liquid close to the pump motor would be circulated, leaving a conical void, which would cause the pump to draw in air and break down.
The material chosen for the reservoir is 30% glass filled Nylon 12 UV stabilised; Homopolymer acetal was selected for the pump housing.