7.2.12 Lubrication
General
Choice of lubricant is an important consideration and must therefore be defined during the development phase of the machine or application. From experience, choosing the lubricant after the design is finalized leads to significant difficulties later on. A carefully thought out lubrication concept is therefore a feature of a state-of-the-art and well-planned design. Technical and economic considerations determine the lubricant used.
The guideways should be kept free of cutting oils or water-soluble coolants and lubricants as they thin or wash off the lubricant. In addition, coolants tend to become sticky as they dry out. Lubricants with solid additives are not suitable.
Long-term Lubrication
SCHNEEBERGER's long-term lubricant LUBE-S is introduced in Chapter 8.1.
Customized Lubricants
Specific lubricants are used for specific purposes. For example lubricants for use in vacuums, cleanrooms, for high or low temperatures, for high speeds or high-frequency strokes. SCHNEEBERGER can supply the guideways with the appropriate lubricant for all of these applications.
Additional important information on lubricants can be found in Chapter 16.3.3.