NSK Develops ROBUSTGRD™ Seizure-Resistant Grease for Machine Tool Spindle Bearings
NSK has developed ROBUSTGRD, an environmentally friendly grease lubricant that improves seizure resistance and contributes to higher productivity and long-term stable operation of machine tools.
ROBUSTGRD improves seizure resistance and reliability in machine tools using cutting fluid and enables the adoption of environmentally friendly grease lubrication in applications typically covered by oil-air lubrication.
Production of ROBUSTGRD will begin in spring 2023, and NSK is targeting 4 billion yen in sales by 2026.
NSK will be exhibiting the new grease at “JIMTOF 2022 The 31st Japan International Machine Tool Fair” to be held at Tokyo Big Site from November 8-13, 2022.
Background
Oil-air lubrication is widely used in machine tools for its excellent lubrication performance. However, oil-air lubrication uses a large amount of compressed air and consumes a lot of electricity, so there is a need to reduce power consumption to reduce running costs and pursue carbon neutrality.
Grease lubrication does not use compressed air, leading to energy savings compared to oil-air lubrication, but reliability improvement has been an issue.
In the development of the new grease, NSK aimed to further enhance reliability while enabling more machining applications to use more environmentally friendly grease lubrication.
Product Features
1. High Seizure Resistance
Optimized grease composition to achieve 5 times higher* seizure resistance compared to our conventional grease.
* Under accelerated test conditions of approximately 3 times the typical usage conditions
2. High Reliability in Machine Tools Using Cutting Fluid
Previously, a concern of grease lubrication was that cutting fluid or coolant could infiltrate the bearing, causing the oil film to break and adversely affect lubrication performance. The newly developed ROBUSTGRD maintains the protective oil film by reducing the adverse effects of cutting fluid or coolant that enters the bearing.
Product Benefits
Improved seizure resistance and reliability in machine tools using cutting fluid or coolant enables the adoption of grease lubrication to reduce power consumption of machine tools. In addition, the increased reliability contributes to improved productivity and long-term stable operation.
About NSK
NSK began its journey manufacturing the first bearings in Japan in 1916, and has since developed into a global organization researching, designing, and manufacturing Motion & Control™ solutions essential for mobility and industrial applications. NSK is the top supplier of bearings in Japan and is the third largest supplier in the world by market share.
Our responsive products and technologies enhance automotive performance and industrial productivity while reducing energy consumption to unprecedented low levels. In the early 1960s, we set our sights outside Japan and have established over 200 business locations in 30 countries alongside a vast network of joint ventures and partnerships in all corners of the world.
NSK Corporate Philosophy
NSK contributes to a safer, smoother society and helps protect the global environment through its innovative technology integrating Motion & Control. As a truly international enterprise, we are working across national boundaries to improve relationships between people throughout the world.
