# An Analysis of the Process of Applying Technical Lubricating Coatings
###### Abstract
Increasing production rates, minimizing set times, and maximizing savings on expensive coatings and lubricants are a few objectives processors strive to achieve when choosing an automated lubrication or coating spray system. The spray nozzles can be utilized to coat chains, conveyors, and trays with minimal waste [30]. Another major concern for processors is that of overspray. Eliminating overspray is not only beneficial to operations, but also to the health and safety of workers. The overspray that drips off from conveyors and surrounding equipment can spill onto the floors which poses a dangerous risk for workers. One of the many benefits of using atomizers is that they are able to apply coatings and \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**NLGI Consistency Class** & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Penetration**} & **Consistency** & **Basic Application** \\ \multicolumn{1}{c}{**(DIN 51 818)**} & **According to PN/C-96-04095 (0.1 mm)** & & \\ \hline
000 & 440–480 & liquid & Mechanical transmissions, central lubrication systems \\
00 & 395–435 & semi-liquid & \\
0 & 350–390 & semi-liquid & \\ \hline
1 & 305–345 & very soft & Rolling and sliding bearings, central lubrication systems \\
2 & 260–300 & soft & central lubrication systems \\
3 & 215–255 & medium & \\ \hline
4 & 170–210 & thick & Other uses; most commonly used as a sealant for fittings \\
5 & 125–165 & very thick & Other uses; most commonly used as a sealant for fittings \\
6 & 80–120 (penetration in a resting state) & hard & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Classification of plastic lubricants according to their consistency (NLGI) [19]. lubricants with high accuracy, which leads to reducing or eliminating overspray altogether and decreased waste of costly coatings and lubricants, which ultimately leads to increased savings for the operator. In the food industry, a spray system is ideal for pan coating and other bakery and snack coating applications. The system can also be used for rolled metal lubrication applications. Beverage can lubrication, stamping, and general industrial applications all require a system that is able to coat with a heated lubricant. In addition, the spray systems are ideal for applying lubricants and corrosion protection fluids to blanks, coils, pipe sections, stamping and forming tools, wires, bars, and more [31]. Furthermore, to select a spray system that improves efficiency, many manufacturing plants are looking to use systems which are able to reduce their company's environmental impact. Using a spray system that is able to control and precisely apply lubricants can reduce liquid consumption by up to 90% [32]. There are many methods of applying coatings; among the most important one that should be mentioned is various methods of spraying. The operation is the better one if the desired, stable effect can be obtained at lower investment costs. The authors of the article [33] showed that simple air-spraying gives well-performing solid lubricating coatings with better friction and wear properties for WS\({}_{2}\) compared to Bi\({}_{2}\)S\({}_{3}\), even at an elevated temperature of 200 \({}^{\circ}\)C. It is a much better solution than plasma spraying. In this work, the process of applying technical lubricating coatings using liquid lubricants will be analyzed and discussed. The aim of the work was a comparative analysis of the process of applying technical coatings that were plastic lubricants. Using a pressure-time valve, material tracks were sprayed. The influence of atomization pressure, the geometry of the nozzles used, and the properties of the plastic greases used on the width of the obtained material track and the angle of the spray was studied.