Thomson introduces "Lube for Life" Self-Lubricating Linear Bearing Pillow Blocks. Lube for Life assemblies eliminate the need for expensive lubrication systems and provide continuous bearing lubrication and enhanced protection for maximum linear bearing life and true maintenance-free operation. Available for open or closed pillow block assemblies, Lube for Life can now be ordered as an option with Thomson Super Ball Bushing Bearing and Super Smart Ball Bushing® Bearing Pillow Blocks. They come as a complete assembly for new applications, or in a retrofit kit for existing non self-lubricating pillow block assemblies.
"Inadequate lubrication is far and away the most common and readily preventable causes of reduced bearing life and failure, and the Lube for Life option can be a big part of the solution. When Lube for Life assemblies are combined with Thomson Super Smart Ball Bushing bearings and Thomson 60 Case Shafting, users can achieve a dramatic increase in linear bearing life than could not otherwise be attained with conventional ball bushing bearings, along with shaft life that is double that of ordinary hardened and ground shafting," says Ellen Steinbrunner, product manager.
Thomson Super Smart Ball Bushing Bearings offer more than 200 times the life of a conventional Ball Bushing Bearing. Combined with a Lube for Life assembly that promises up to three times the life of a bearing that is lubricated just once (and not subsequently) during installation, OEMs and after-market applications can realize big benefits. OEM's will benefit from maintenance-free machines that deliver significantly longer life and increased reliability to their customers, while MRO specialists who need to replace linear bearings in existing applications will benefit from increased maintenance and replacement intervals for greater machine uptime and throughput.
Lube for Life pillow blocks work through self-lubricating cartridges pressed into each end of the pillow block housing, with the linear bearing itself initially lubricated with EP2 grease. The Lube for Life polymer is under constant pressure against the 60 Case shafting, ensuring a film of lubricant is always present between the ball bearings and the inner race. Thomson 60 Case Shafting is available for same and next day shipment, with no set-up fees on cut-to-length and special machining orders.
Also available from Thomson is the 531 LL Lube Block for the 500 Series Profile Rail Linear Bearings, which eliminates the need for maintenance and lubrication during the life of a 500 Series Profile Rail Bearing. The 531 LL Lube Block is installed easily on-site in the field for retrofit applications or can be factory supplied for new installations.
About Thomson
With more than 60 years of motion control innovation and quality, Thomson is the industry's premier producer of Linear Ball Bushing® Bearings and Profile Rail Bearings, 60 Case(TM) Shafting, ground and rolled Ball Screws, Linear Actuators, Gearheads, Clutches, Brakes, Linear Systems, and related accessories. Thomson invented the Linear Ball Bushing Bearing in 1945, and has set the standard ever since with an unsurpassed set of mechanical motion control solutions serving global commercial and aerospace & defense markets. Thomson Industries, Inc. has facilities in North America, Europe and Asia with over 2000 distributor locations around the world.
