Lubrication of linear guide rails of a pick and place - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 02:08:58 pm
content: My machine, an SMT460 purchased from YX Wenzhou, is running fine. This is a general maintenance issue, not a repair issue.The machine comes with VERY superficial maintenance documentation and as YX Wenzhou are more about sales than support, they haven't been much help so far.What I think I know (and what I know I don't know) is:1. Rails should be wiped clean before applying new grease.(1). Is wiping down the rails sufficient or will I need to disassemble the rails and bearings for regular maintenance?2. Grease/oil should be applied via grease nipples using a grease gun at about every 50km of travel.(2). My machine has two types of grease nipples (M4x0.7P and M5x1P). Are these regular sizes and will matching grease gun fittings be easy to find?3. Different types of grease/oil should not be mixed.(3). I don't know what type of lubricant was used from the factory and I don't know which type of lubricant to use going forward. There's a small amount of dark grey gunk present on the rails at the stops/extreme travel points. Would anyone have a suggestion on what type of lubricant I should use?Thanks!If it's not obvious, then yes, I'm basically inept when it comes to mechanics... yet I own a pick and place machine

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 02:54:15 pm
content: Do you have a brand of the linear rails ?Picture would also help.You do not need to disassemble anything.you would only use a grease gun for the carriages has to fit the nipples. Don't add too much, if it escapes on the sides you already had too much. Only a little bit and check the rails every few weeks if they are still feel a bit greasy. The carriages in turn will grease the rails while moving. If the carriages have wipers this will be a very thin layer.For the grease you would use the same as already in the carriages if the manufacturer will not say go to the manufacturer of the carriages. You choose the grease as usage fast speeds or heavy loads you choose different grease but in the end it will not matter that much as the viscose is about the same.For a good maintenance manual google for "HiWin Lubrication Instructions" it is a 30 page manual just read as generic info.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 03:08:56 pm
content: BTW this is an example of such a grease gun you can also have the smaller pushguns but tgese work better IME.There is a trick to remove it again, you click it on but for removal you need to push turn and then pull. Difficult to explain in words but it is just like removing a bnc connector I guees, you have to have done it a few times to get the hang of it.

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 03:16:04 pm
content: Thank you Kjelt.Rails are TBI Motion TR15 for the X-axis and TBI Motion TR20H for the Y-axis. I've skimmed through the documentation for TBI Motion rails, but didn't find a definitive instruction regarding type of lubricant.

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 03:18:44 pm
content: Surely the manufacturer of the machine should provide you with these guidelines? Or maybe I am just be presumptuousHave you tried asking them?I'd also suggest getting hold of some maintenance manuals from the more prominent manufacturers, their manuals should provide guidelines which would work for your machine too.

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 03:28:33 pm
content: Quote from: kayvee on April 24, 2022, 03:18:44 pmYes, I asked my contact at the seller which, as is often the case for chinese equipment, is not = the manufacturer.In other words: I don't know who the actual manufacturer is...

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 03:40:44 pm
content: Samsung (Hanwha) recommends AFE (THK) grease for the L/M guides and lead screws of my SM series machine, applied by gun every two months of use. Apparently it's specifically formulated as a high speed lubricant for these parts, as opposed to EP2 which is suitable general use on slower moving parts like on screen printers.

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 04:20:01 pm
content: THK AFE-CA seems to be very similar to the NSK LGU grease that I've been looking at. If I can find a distributor of either within the EU, I'll give it a shot and hope for the best.

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 04:47:59 pm
content: I think the critical part of the spec is that the one you choose (in your region) is made for high speed/low vibration applications, specific manufacturers aside, you should be good.

author: NorthGuy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2022, 11:49:00 pm
content: The standard grease gun connector is often called Zerk. There are various Zerk adapters (for different threads). The adapter is typically screwed into a special hole permanently and then you attach the grease gun to it when you want to grease. After applying the grease, you'll need to wipe out the excess from the rail/scew.Alternatively you can just apply a small amount of oil directly to the rail/screw and move the caret/nut back and forth so to spread the oil over the balls.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 10:58:54 am
content: The most important aspect of lubricating ball races is to not select a lubricant whihc will cause the balls to slide.The lubricant must make the balls roll in the guideway,Al other issues in this application are secondary,

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 25, 2022, 04:27:28 pm
content: On my machine (Quad/Samsung QSA30) the recommended grease is Shell GADUS S2 V220 2.It comes in cartridges for a grease gun.Jon

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2022, 12:39:34 pm
content: Quote from: IconicPCB on April 25, 2022, 10:58:54 amStupid questions: How do you select such lubricant? How do you know when balls are sliding inside their races or rather how does this unwanted ball slide manifest itself? What is the consequence/the implication of balls that are sliding rather than rolling inside the bearing races?

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2022, 12:46:59 pm
content: Pushed more for an answer from XY and got this photo. Seems generic. Brand is Kunlun made by Petrochina.I attached an image translate, but have not found a datasheet for this specific grease.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2022, 01:31:45 pm
content: Here you can order from a german company, choose the G05 standard grease which is more than good enough and you can also buy the grease gun there. They will ship in Europe.https://www.sorotec.de/shop/Schmier---Pflegeprodukte/Schmiermittel/

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2022, 01:47:20 pm
content: Thanks. I ordered a cartridge of this Liqui Moly White Universal Grease already:https://products.liqui-moly.com/white-universal-grease-2.htmlIt hasn't arrived yet so there's still time, if it's a bad choice.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2022, 06:29:49 am
content: Hey Lasses,Not a stupid question at all.Point being a ball bearing is not a sliding bearing it is a device which relies on the roundness of the ball to sustain either linear or rotational movement.As soon as the ball starts to slide it will experience wear on one spot.It will cease to roll and start to slide. The faster the movement the greater attrition of the ball and the bearing fails.Tribology is something we do not often come in contact with , however it is a science and oils aint oils to quote an old ad for engine oils.Bearing manufacturers usually specify grease or weight of oil ( thickness) rely on their recomendations.Sometimes greases which sound sexy are not the right product , for example molybdenum can produce sliding rather than sticking and therefore rolling action.

author: lasses
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2022, 08:30:20 am
content: Thanks for the brief intro to tribology, a term I didn't know for a science I assumed would exist.I feel smarter now... and more confused.The grease I've bought seems to tick all the boxes - particularly the "similar to the manufacturers grease of choice"-box.Btw. Liqui Moly is a brand name. I'm fairly confident there's no molybdenum in their White Universal Grease product, but I'm waiting for clarification from the local Liqui Moly technical service representative... the saga continues.

author: vstrulev
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2022, 11:03:32 pm
content: Quote from: lasses on May 01, 2022, 01:47:20 pmGood day. HIWIN manual states: Lubricants containing MoS2 or graphite must not be used. Looks like you've ordered Molibden containing stuff

author: Warpspeed
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 06:39:20 am
content: I would be VERY cautious about using any type of grease at all. Grease is for sliding bushings and rotating shafts.Grease will attract dust which then forms a thick paste, and it will accumulate and lodge in the concealed ball recirculation tubes of the moving carriage, where it cannot be easily cleaned or removed.As previously mentioned, the balls are designed to roll not slide and skid, so there should be little or no friction or actual wear.Its only if heavy grease and accumulated muck lock up the small circulating balls, that then have no option but to slide.Keep the rails clean, and perhaps fit foam wipers to the carriage to brush off any dust or hairs.These linear rolling bearings are best run completely dry.

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 07:28:41 am
content: Quote from: Warpspeed on September 12, 2022, 06:39:20 amPerhaps you should stick to your own domain of expertise.Every decent manufacturer of linear guideways and ballscrews has a lubricating instructions manual. You SHOULD stick to those instructions if you want to get a decent lifetime.Example of a Taiwanese manufacturer.https://hiwin.us/wp-content/uploads/lubricating_instructions.pdf

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 07:49:57 am
content: Quote from: vstrulev on September 01, 2022, 11:03:32 pmLooks like lithium grease with white pigment added from the datasheet.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2022, 09:30:06 pm
content: The only kind of ball bearings you would ever run dry, that I am aware of, are PEEK/PTFE/Acetal, or full ceramic.https://www.mcmaster.com/dry-running-bearings/Which aren't going to be used on a linear rail.