Energy efficiency

Generation C - The new standard for deep groove ball bearings

In 1883, Friedrich Fischer designed a ball grinding machine in Schweinfurt, Germany that, for the first time, made it possible to produce absolutely round steel balls by grinding. This invention is regarded as the foundation for the entire rolling bearing industry and set out to conquer the whole world.

Speciality Lubricants from Klüber Lubrication –
always a good choice

Owners and operators are constantly challenged to extract their target minerals or precious metals in the most cost-effective and reliable way and need to rely on the up to date knowledge, experience and expertise of specialists in the long-term care of their assets wherever that facility may be situated. Internationally, Klüber Lubrication carry the endorsement of OEMs and operators alike especially on critical assets e.g. mill or kiln gear drives to not only assure their effective operation but also pushing back the boundaries of lubrication technology to bring state-of-the-art girth gear / pinion lubricants that dramatically reduce consumption (with spin-off benefits of reduced transportation costs, improved housekeeping, lower inventory levels, easy tooth flank inspection even during operation and lower disposal costs).

The energy efficiency of rolling bearings has increased significantly in recent years, mostly due to new bearing designs to reduce friction losses.

What is the lubricant's role in this context?

Klüber Lubrication developed a new test rig to gain insight into the influence of lubricants on energy efficiency in bearings, optimising the basis for its consulting.

Lower Friction Improves Efficiency Figure 1 shows the friction coefficients of several base oils measured on a two-disk test rig. This test rig allows friction coefficients to be determined under conditions as prevail in gears. It can be seen that the polyglycol-based gear oil Klübersynth GH 6-150 in particular leads to significant friction reduction.

Synthetics and energy efficiency With regard to energy efficiency, some gear oils are more energy efficient than others due to their lower coefficient of friction. Polyglycols, for example, absolutely shine as the most efficient and lowest wear type of oils, particularly in high-sliding applications such as worm and hypoid gears. In these applications, PAGs offer a lower coefficient of friction within the gearbox, resulting in less power loss