Challenges in Grease Selection Without Full Bearing Specifications Bearing manufacturers have provided a significant amount of detailed advice for lubricant selection, application, and replenishment. Formulas used by the machine designers incorporate details that are...
During inspection and maintenance activities, it is common to identify possible sources of lubrication-related failures, and one of the most recurrent is the constant leakage of oil in grease-lubricated bearings. This problem, often underestimated, can cause dryness...
In most industrial facilities, over 50% of all lubrication points are lubricated with grease instead of oil. Don't believe me? Just count the number of electric motors in your plant. Unlike most oil-lubricated assets, where OEM recommendations provide at least a...
All machines with moving parts have bearings of some type. The bearings may be as simple as flat surfaces working against other flat surfaces, such as the slideway in a machine tool, or they may have sophisticated geometries like a ball screw. Plain and element...
The lowliest and most ubiquitous device in the world of lubrication recently celebrated its centennial anniversary. Designed as a simple yet efficient mechanical gateway device, the grease nipple has only one job: to connect to a manual grease-delivery gun and provide...
Grease has been used since ancient times, and new technologies and equipment design require us to improve our understanding and perception of it. These advancements enable those working with grease to recognize better its impact, effective properties, and the proper...
Grease guns seem simple enough. But how well do you know yours? Do you know how to correctly cartridge and bulk load your gun? Do you know how to expel trapped air from it? Do you know its shot size in cc or cu in (e.g., in cubic centimeters or cubic inches)? Do you...
Years ago, I had my first encounter with one of the predictive maintenance technologies. Since then, I have seen its potential, especially when combined with other PdM tools. Airborne ultrasound for bearing inspection is probably one of the simplest, most versatile...
Onsite oil analysis is an effective tool to analyze samples and optimize maintenance activities quickly. As part of a comprehensive condition-based maintenance program (CBM), oil analysis effectively complements other diagnostic technologies like vibration analysis,...
Wire ropes are surprisingly ubiquitous and are used in various industries. I see them daily in Tangier Med Port, where I work. They are visible here in handling equipment in the container terminals. They are used to lift and pull heavy containers in Ship-To-Shore...
