Lubricants Innovative Lubrication Application Systems for Stamping and Forming

Related Vendors

LBI oil free GmbH

REA Elektronik GmbH

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

A combination of oil-free lubricants and precise pressure systems enables economical, clean, and precisely controllable lubricant application, improves the quality of workpieces, and contributes to sustainable manufacturing.

In industrial sheet metal processing, particularly in forming and punching, the targeted use of lubricants plays a central role. They reduce friction and wear, improve workpiece quality, and extend the service life of tools. At the same time, environmental aspects, occupational safety, and cost-efficiency are becoming increasingly important. In this context, modern systems for the precise, pinpoint application of oil-free lubricants are gaining importance.

The combination of the oil-free special lubricants from LBI oil free GmbH and the industrial marking and application systems from REA Jet represents a forward-looking solution for these requirements.

Challenges with Conventional Lubrication Systems

Conventional lubricants are often based on mineral oil substances, which not only require significant cleaning efforts after processing but also have problematic effects on the environment and health. Overdosing, uncontrolled misting, or widespread wetting cause unnecessary costs and hinder subsequent processes such as welding, painting, or bonding. Traditional application systems often cannot apply lubricants in a targeted and controlled manner or can only do so to a limited extent—this results in high consumption, machine contamination, and an unproductive manufacturing environment.

Oil-free Lubricants

LBI oil free specializes in the development and production of oil-free special lubricants for metal processing. These formulations are specifically designed for the requirements of cold forming and stamping and offer numerous advantages:

• Residue-free processing: Components are "touch-dry" after processing and can be further processed without cleaning.
• Process compatibility: The agents are compatible with welding, gluing, and painting processes (e.g., KTL).
• Environmental and occupational safety: VOC-free, oil-free, and typically biodegradable formulations improve sustainability and are based on renewable raw materials.
• Cost-efficiency: Targeted application reduces consumption, minimizes waste, and extends tool life.

Precision in Application

For the application of these lubricants, LBI oil free uses REA Jet's printing technology. The contactless inkjet systems enable targeted and high-resolution lubricant application on strips, sheets, or individual workpieces—directly before forming or stamping. Advantages:

• Point, line-precise, or area-wide lubricant application
• Mist-free application, no enclosure or extraction required
• Contactless printing – even at high movement speeds
• Minimal waste (resource efficiency) through precise dosing
• Easy integration into existing production lines
• Reproducibility and digital control for high process reliability

The combination of REA printing technology with the special lubricant range LUB print, specifically developed by LBI for this printing technology, creates a particularly effective overall system: economical, clean, and digitally measurable. For the first time, costs per part regarding lubricant expenses can be evaluated.

Applications and Industry Examples

The systems are used in various industrial sectors, such as the automotive supply industry, electrical engineering, and the white goods sector. In the stamping of electromagnetic motor laminations, the lubricant is applied precisely along the stamping/forming contour. This reduces tool stress while ensuring that subsequent processes such as insulation coating or bonding are not affected.

The benefits are also evident in the production of housings, brackets, or fasteners: the application of the lubricant can be precisely adapted to geometries and, if needed, automatically switched— even with changing components during cyclic operation.

Digitization and Quality Assurance

REA systems enable digital integration into presses/stamping machines and documentation of each individual lubricant application. Combined with the traceability of workpieces, this results in a high level of quality assurance — an essential requirement to avoid production errors, accurately record costs, and meet customer requirements.

The combination of oil-free lubricants from LBI oil free and the precise printing systems from REA sets new standards in the metal processing industry. It enables economical, clean, and precisely controllable lubricant application, improves the quality of workpieces, and contributes to sustainable manufacturing. The system combines environmental protection, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness—making it perfectly suited to the demands of modern production facilities.

*Managing Partner, LBI oil free GmbH, and Project Management, REA Elektronik GmbH