Art Godfrey (retired)
Birclar Electric & Electronics

My first exposure to synthetic lubricants for rolling element bearings was during repair of high-speed, automotive engine-test dynamometers. For several years, our service center had repaired similar machines with rolling element bearings, but they were all oil lubricated by pump systems with specially-selected fittings near the bearings to deliver only small amounts of oil per minute.

We began to see rolling-element-bearing machines in for repair that were grease lubricated, and these displayed a specific make and type of lubricant on the nameplate. We purchased what was specified on the nameplate and all was well. Over time, we began to see more machines specifying the same make of grease, but a different grade or type. This led me to begin looking into the differences in the products, since each one was fairly costly and had a limited shelf life (for instance 24 months if in an unopened container).

Topics covered include:

• Details of the process
• Range of synthetic greases
• Things to carefully consider

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