NSK is currently developing a world first: a high-precision method for quickly and accurately diagnosing the remaining service life of lubricants in rolling bearings and linear units. The solution will be available as a mobile app that allows users to determine the condition of the lubricant on site.

Grease-lubricated drive elements such as rolling bearings, ball screws and linear guides are used in a wide range of machines, systems and vehicles - from machine tools to rail vehicles. However, as the lubricant degrades or changes its properties over time, on-site inspection is important to maximize uptime and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). In this context, many companies have changed their maintenance strategy from "time-based" to "condition-based" in recent years. A method for diagnosing lubricant condition that can be used quickly and with high accuracy on site would be helpful here - ideally as an app. Such an app would also be useful in view of the shortage of skilled workers and would support efforts to make maintenance as CO2-neutral as possible.
With the new NSK app, the user can analyze the degree of lubricant wear using a small grease sample.

This is how the process works:

Over time, heat and oxidation lead to chemical changes in the base oil and in the additives of a lubricating grease. This changes the molecular structure of the lubricant - with the result that more short-wave light is absorbed. This has a visible effect as the color of the grease changes. Initially it is white, over time it turns yellow or orange and finally black - at which point it has reached the end of its service life. The diagnostic app developed by NSK qualifies the grease based on its color in order to calculate the remaining service life and displays the result. As part of condition monitoring, the user knows exactly whether lubricant needs to be refilled or not.

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