The True Cost of
Bearing Lubrication
By Matt Mowry
Product Manager
The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion | 1
Table of Contents
introduction................................................................................................................................2
hidden Costs of Lubrication ....................................................................................................3
Ancillary components for OEMs .......................................................................................3
Other costs not required for self-lubricating bearings .......................................................4
self-Lubricating Plastic Bearings ............................................................................................4
Benefits of plastic bearings ...............................................................................................4
Application parameters not conducive for self-lubricating plastic bearings ......................6
field applications using high-Performance Plastic Bearings..............................................6
2 | The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion
Introduction
Today, machine and equipment manufacturers are feeling more pressure than ever to reduce
costs without sacrificing machine performance and this balancing act can be difficult to achieve.
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) often overlook a simple solution that can have a posi-
tive, long-term impact on profitability for themselves and their customers: the elimination of bear-
ing lubricant. By eliminating lubrication systems where possible, OEMs can reduce production
costs, while at the same time making their equipment more marketable and less expensive to op-
erate for the end users.
What are the issues with bearing lubricant? According to a major ball bearing company, 54 per-
cent of bearing failures are lubrication-related (see Image 1). In a study by the Massachusetts In-
stitute of Technology (MIT), it was estimated approximately $240 billion is lost annually (across
US industries) due to downtime and repairs to manufacturing equipment damaged by poor lubri-
cation.1 Improper bearing lubrication or re-lubrication accounts for up to 40 to 50 percent of ma-
chine failures. By eliminating lubrication from machinery, OEMs can minimize the costs and risks
associated with maintenance for the end user. At the same time, costs related to the proper dis-
posal of oil can be eliminated and the initial expenditure for ancillary components and processes
(grease lines, zerks, manifolds, etc) can be decreased.
There is a lower cost, easier-to-maintain machine component that eliminates the total cost of
bearing lubricants: high performance, dry running plastic bearings.
Image 1: Types of lubricated-related bearing failures. Source: SKF, USA Inc.
The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion | 3
Hidden Costs of Lubrication
Proper lubrication delivery is critical for the operation
of ball bearings, and most require continued mainte-
nance for re-lubrication. The re-lubrication process
typically requires scheduled machine downtime, which
increases maintenance costs and causes a loss of
production time. In addition, re-lubrication mainte-
nance practices often fall short. While some
processes are automated, the majority of re-lubrication
is performed manually using a grease gun. This
seemingly simple task actually involves a number of
critical steps to ensure proper lubrication delivery,
including correct amount of lube, the right grease gun,
proper cleaning, and careful storage and handling con-
ditions, just to name a few. In addition, it is critical to
use the same grease for the entire lifespan of a
bearing. The Technical Training Division of Life Cycle
Engineering conducted a study that found 80 percent
of maintenance workers surveyed scored less than 50
percent when it came to the basic technical skills
needed to perform their job;2 and “bearing lubrication”
was noted first on their list of tasks.
re-lubrication maintenance practices
fall short due to:
Lubrication not being properly or consistently
administered;
Image 2: Proper lubrication is critical for the operation
of ball bearings.
There are also additional parts required to protect
them from contaminants. According to McNally
Institute, the leading cause of bearing failure is due to
contamination of the lubrication by moisture and solid
particles. If as little as 0.002 percent water gets mixed
into the lubrication system, it increases the probability
of failure by 48 percent. Just six percent water can
3
Lubrication points not being easily accessible;
Maintenance personnel not being properly
trained; and
Using the incorrect or improper quantity of lubricant.
i. ancillary components for oeMs
Using lubricated bearings can increase manufacturing
complexity and expenses. They often need to be fitted
with grease zerks and manifolds, oil lines, and some-
times oil reservoirs and pumps. Not only are there
extra costs associated with purchasing these compo-
nents, there are also manufacturing costs associated
with the machining and assembly of the mating parts.
ancillary components for
lubricated bearings:
Grease fittings / zerks / oil lines / pumps
Wipers / scrapers / felt wicks / seals
Grease guns
Grease / oil / lubrication
reduce the lifetime by 83 percent.
Ball bearings require seals to keep oil in and unwanted
water and liquids out, as well as wipers / scrapers to
keep dust and debris out. Seals only last so long and
do not perform well in dirty and dusty environments
and can also increase friction in the application. In
agricultural machinery and lawn mowers, where dust
and debris are prevalent during operation, seals and
wipers may require frequent replacement.
extra costs for lubricated bearings*:
Gravity-fed oil reservoir/lines: $50 to $300
Zerks: $2 to $40 (for four bearings and
machining)
Seals, wipers and felt wicks: $4 to $12 (per
bearing)
Automated oil reservoir / line: $1500 or more
Oil / grease / lubrication disposal
*Keep in mind; self-lubricating plastic bearings do
not require any of these additional parts.
4 | The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion
ii. other costs not required
for self-lubricating bearings
a. Labor
A major oil company studied the time
required to manually lubricate a single
grease point. The results showed
manual lubrication takes an average
of three minutes per point. The
average machine has 20 grease
points to maintain. This correlates to a
total labor cost of $7,300 annually for
maintaining 20 grease points on one
machine, every day, seven days per
week.4 Another source claims that the
average plant employs 2,196 bearings
and spends $60,000 in re-lubrication
costs per year; of that $60,000,
$57,000 is used for labor alone.
b. Downtime
Improper bearing lubrication or re-
lubrication accounts for up to 40 to 50
percent of machine failures. When a
bearing fails prematurely, a number of
actions may need to be taken.
Replacement of the bearings,
shafting, and even motors and other
parts can be very costly. If the
machine needs to be taken off-line,
Image 3: Comparison chart comparing ball bearings to self-lubricating
plastic plain bearings.
expenses can potentially skyrocket. In a six-sigma
lean manufacturing guide5, it is estimated that the
average cost for downtime is $500 per hour, and in
some automotive and other high-volume production
factories, downtime costs are considerably higher. In
addition, unplanned downtime can cause a ripple
effect that impacts a plant’s production schedule.
c. Disposal costs
According to Valin6, proper disposal of lubricants by a
process management company can amount to
approximately 20 percent of the cost of annual
lubricant expenditures. This means if a plant spends
$50,000 per year on lubricants, they will spend
approximately $10,000 in disposal costs. In addition,
the cost of the lubrication itself can impact overall
expenditures, as it is normally petroleum-based and
directly linked to the price of oil.
Image 4: igus® lines of self-lubricating plastic bearings
are made from high-performance polymers, which are
corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free.
The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion | 5
Self-Lubricating Plastic
Bearings
Self-lubricating plastic bearings are made of high-
performance polymers and, unlike rolling-element
bearings, slide instead of roll. They consist of a base
polymer, which is optimized with fiber reinforcement
and solid lubricants. The fiber reinforcements increase
load carrying capabilities and wear-resistance, and the
solid lubricants are transferred from the bearing to the
micro finish of the shaft in order to reduce friction. No
external oil or grease is needed for their operation;
self-lubricating bearings operate completely dry. They
are an ideal solution for applications in labs and food-
processing machinery that require clean, oil-free
operation. Plastic bearings also perform well in dirty
environments since there is no oil to attract dust and
dirt, like the agricultural industry. They can be used on
softer shafting, even anodized aluminum, which has
excellent corrosion resistance and is usually less
expensive and easier to machine than case-hardened
material or stainless steel.
Benefits of plastic bearings:
No maintenance
Oil free, dry-running
Corrosion-resistant
Cost less than ball bearings
Handle contamination well and often do not
require seals or scrapers
Ideal for very short-stroke applications, unlike
linear ball bearings
self-lubricating bearings are ideal for:
Harsh, extreme environments – dirt, dust,
agriculture, outdoor equipment
Sensitive, clean environments – biotech, lab
machines, medical equipment
Wash-down applications – packaging, food
processing
Weight-sensitive applications (aimed at
reducing fuel consumption and / or lowering
the inertia of moving parts)
i. eliminate maintenance costs
Using high-performance, self-lubricating plastic
bearings can significantly reduce maintenance costs,
as well as reduce unplanned downtime due to bearing
failure. OEMs that use self-lubricating plastic bearings
are able to deliver a maintenance-free system that
increases their end customer’s production throughput
and the overall marketability of their product. In the
event that a self-lubricated bearing does need
replacement, the replacement part (a small,
inexpensive plastic sleeve) can be purchased for a
fraction of the cost of an entire re-circulating ball
bearing.
ii. Lower production costs
Plastic bearings do not require the machining and
other processes required to install ball bearings. They
are less expensive and do not require grease fittings,
lines or pumps. Plastic bearings also can be used on
less expensive shafting, such as aluminum or cold-
rolled-steel. Some companies offer online calculators
to predict bearing lifetime to ensure it is ideal for the
application; this eliminates the need for testing and
saves time and errors in material choice.
iii. application parameters not conducive
for self-lubricating plastic bearings
High loads with high speeds: These lead to exces-
sive frictional heat buildup and wear.
Highly cantilevered loads: Since self-lubricating
plastic bearings slide (unlike ball bearings that roll),
linear applications with higher coefficients of friction
may result in uneven movements for highly can-
tilevered loads or drive forces.
Extremely precise applications: Plastic bearings
have a higher running clearance than ball bearings,
sometimes .001” to .002”, and therefore are not
ideal for applications needing extreme precision.
Extreme temperatures: Plastic bearings are not
recommended for applications with long-term
temperatures exceeding 484 degrees Fahrenheit.
6 | The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion
Image 5: *Based on 3/4 inch closed linear bearing and assuming replacement is required once per year.
Field Applications Using High-
Performance Plastic Bearings
agricultural
A manufacturer of equipment specifically for the
farming industry produces ‘The Pick Planter’, which
creates individual planting row units using walking
gauge wheels to deliver a consistent planting depth.
Oil-impregnated bronze bearings with graphite plugs
were used to facilitate this movement until they began
causing severe problems. They were even requiring
replacement two to three times a season. On the West
coast, the bronze bearings were experiencing high
wear and premature failure due to the very abrasive
conditions caused by high levels of volcanic ash in the
soil. On the East coast, the high salt content in the air
caused corrosion and seizure.
By replacing all 144 bronze bearings with iglide® self-
lubricating plastic bearings from igus®, the pick arms’
lifespan was increased by 500 to 600 percent. The
actual bearings cost 70 to 80 percent less than bronze
bearings and were more reliable.
Packaging
One manufacturer specializes in vertical, form, fill and
seal (v/f/f/s) packaging equipment for handling a wide
range of products: from green beans to candy to deter-
gent. The machines are capable of reaching up to 160
cycles per minute and withstanding loads up to 15
pounds, while operating at speeds of 750 feet per
minute.
The manufacturer had been using metal linear ball
bearings. After the metal bearings scored the shafts
and leaked grease on some of the machines, the com-
pany decided to replace them with self-lubricating
The True CosT of Bearing LuBriCaTion | 7
DryLin® R linear plain bearings. To date, the linear
bushings have surpassed the 10-million cycle mark on
some of the company’s packaging machines with little
to no noticeable wear.
Medical
In the quest to improve the way prostate cancer is
detected and treated, a team of researchers from the
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in
Massachusetts have developed a specialized mag-
netic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible
piezoelectric actuated robot.
To facilitate different types of motion, the robot uses a
DryLin® linear guide system and iglide® plastic self-
lubricating plain bearings. The linear guides facilitate
translational motion of the positioning module, which
provides gross positioning for the robot’s needle
driver. The needle driver is a vital part of the system,
as it enables the rotation and translational movement
of the needle cannula: a flexible tube inserted into the
patient’s body cavity for MRI-guided diagnosis
and therapy.
The needle driver has a needle guide sleeve, a collet
locking mechanism and passive optical tracking fidu-
cial frame. Two plastic plain bearings are used in the
front and rear of the driver to constrain the needle
guide. The bearings enable the robot’s motor to rotate
the needle using the collet mechanism by way of a
timing belt. This rotating needle would reduce tissue
damage while enhance targeting accuracy. Another 10
plain bearings were used to create a revolute joint,
also known as a “pin joint” or “hinge joint”, to provide
single-axis rotation.
The linear guides chosen are comprised of hard-
anodized aluminum rails and carriages and
high-performance plastic sliding elements, which do
not interfere with the MRI procedure. The linear slides
operate without messy lubrication, which is important
in a sterile medical environment. They also feature a
lower-profile for applications where installation space
is an issue.
The specific plastic plain bearings used were an ideal
choice for the robot, as they are comprised of FDA-
compliant polymers specifically designed for applica-
tions with contact to food or drugs.
About igus®
igus® develops industry-leading products based on a
belief in making functionally advanced, yet affordable
plastic components and assemblies, including iglide®
plastic plain bearings, igubal® spherical bearings, and
DryLin® linear bearings and guide systems. No lubrica-
tion, less maintenance, lower costs, longer life cycles –
these key principles apply to all igus® products, sys-
tems and services. Tried and tested in terms of
durability, friction properties and stability, igus® plastics
are the technological core of the company’s range.
igus® inc.
PO Box 14349, East Providence, RI 02914
1-888-803-1895 | [email protected] | www.igus.com
igus, iglide, igubal, and DryLin are registered trademarks of igus Inc.
All other company names and products are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
1 http://www.azom.com/news.asp?newsID=11342
2 http://www.lce.com/pdf/trainingneeds.pdf
3 http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/02-html/2-10.html
4 http://www.lubricationautomation.com/ez.php?Page=2087
5 http://www.plant-maintenance.com/articles/lean_maintenance_for_lean_manufacturing.pdf
6 http://www.valin.com/index.php/blog/15-filtration/117-cut-lubricant-costs-up-to-50
