Precision with Klüber Lubrication Special lubricants ensure reliable, productive and economical operation of linear motion guides

Page Lubricants lined up for smooth operation From plain bearings to load rollers: an overview of linear types How lubricants must perform - and how to find the right one Oil / fluid grease lubrication Grease lubrication Dry lubrication Initial grease lubrication Grease relubrication Relubrication or lifetime lubrication? Miscibility of thickeners Miscibility of base oils Product overview: Lubricating greases for linear motion guides and threaded spindles Product overview: Fluid greases for linear motion guides and ballscrews Product overview: Lubricating oils for linear motion guides and ballscrews Request...

It all sounds so simple in theory: A carriage is used to move a certain mass straight along a path, i.e. perform linear motion. It has rollers running in a grooved guide rail. In practice, however, this straightforward principle will soon reach its limits. Reliability, productivity and economy - they all depend on utmost precision! Linear motion guides are found in machine tools, machining centres, manufacturing robots, measurement and control systems as well as in medical diagnostic scanners. Accurate straightness and evenness of all components is a prerequisite of their correct function. Other...

From plain bearings to load rollers: an overview of linear types Sliding motion Rolling motion Linear guides and guidance systems Linear plain bearings / Linear ball bearings / sliding bushes shaft guides, ball bushings Profiled rails with sliding layer Profiled rails with recirculating balls Profiled rails with recirculating rollers Flat guides / Flat cage guides / guide rails with longitudinal guides with balls, sliding layer Roller guides Drive systems Trapezoidal screw drives Ball screw drives Roller screw drives Combined drive and guidance systems Robots, linear tables, linear modules, tooth-and-rack...

The choice of lubricant has a strong impact on the service life and performance of linear motion guides. The consequence of a starved lubrication regime resulting in the development of tribocorrosion may be as severe as total component failure. To avoid this, we will provide you with the right lubricant, which must ensure the following: □ Lowest torque when starting up the system, i.e. under mixed-friction conditions □ Wear protection of the linear motion guide components □ Noise-dampening effect at high speeds □ Good corrosion protection when exposed to aggressive media □ Sealing effect protecting...

Oil / fluid grease lubrication Oil lubrication is often selected on equipment where other machine elements are lubricated in this manner via use of a centralised lubricating system. Whilst fairly complex in design, this type of lubrication method offers nevertheless a number of benefits, provided adequate care is dedicated Linear type Application / requirement NLGI class Fluid grease all Universal, low speed NLGI 00/000 Fluid grease all Universal, medium speed NLGI 00 Fluid grease all Universal, high speed NLGI 0/00 Fluid grease all Elevated temperatures NLGI...

to the aspect of sealing. Lubricant supply is continuous, which effectively prevents lubricant starvation and consequently component failure. The oil flow rate is normally quite high, which means that heat is dissipated from the friction point and contaminants are reliably removed. NOTE: When lubricating linear motion guides with oils, please bear in mind that the oil tends to flow from the linear guide system far more rapidly than grease. To combat this eventuality a continuous supply of oil provided to the upper part of the guide is advisable.

Grease lubrication Because of a trend towards minimum-quantity lubrication, longer lubrication intervals and simplified design there is increasing demand for special lubricating greases offering high performance and good corrosion protection. Bene- Lubricant type - grease Linear type Rolling motion guides primarily with balls Application/requirement Selection criterion Rolling motion guides primarily with balls Medium speed Rolling motion guides primarily with balls High speed Miniature guides Roller screw drives Trapezoidal thread drives Plastic nut Trapezoidal thread drives Plastic nut Trapezoidal...

fits: grease lubrication offers better emergency running characteristics, better noise dampening and a reliable sealing effect.

Dry lubrication There are certain extreme operating conditions that forbid the use of a “wet” lubrication regime. The most obvious example is outer space, where applications involving very short sliding distances are found for experiments Linear type Selection criterion Bonded coating Ball screw drives Threaded spindle Ultra-high vacuum Electroplated coating Ball screw drives Threaded spindle Ultra-high vacuum In the following text are some “lubrication hints” that may help to facilitate your everyday work. ❑ Centralised lubrication is also feasible for greases K according to DIN 51825 of NLGI...

and operation under ultra-high vacuum. Depending on the individual requirements, it may make sense to combine self-lubricating plastic materials or a bonded-coating with oil or grease lubrication to improve emergencyrunning properties. For information on the coating of elastomers and thermoplastics, please ask for our technical brochure on this subject or request technical consulting. Initial grease lubrication □ Aspects to consider at an early stage are compatibility of the lubricant with anticorrosion agents, sealing and plastic cage materials (see also under www.klueber.com, service section:...

We recommend cleaning the guide rail or spindle with a lint-free cloth prior to relubrication. The relubrication quantity is approx. 50% of the initial lubrication quantity. Frequent relubrication is desirable, i.e. application of small quantities at shorter intervals. If a different lubricant is used for relubrication purposes, compatibility with the original lubricant should be determined. Greases used for relubrication should match the previous grease’s basic composition (base oil type, thickener, base oil viscosity, NLGI class). Please check with the grease manufacturer. Relubrication or...