Thomson has introduced Lube for Life self-lubricating linear bearing pillow blocks designed to reduce maintenance requirements for OEMs and after-market applications.

Lube for Life assemblies are said to 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 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 retrofit kit for existing non-self lubricating pillow block assemblies.

Ellen Steinbrunner, product manager at Thomson, said: '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 bush bearings and Thomson 60 case shafting, users can achieve an increase in linear bearing life than could otherwise be attained with conventional ball bushing bearings, along with the shaft life that is double that of ordinary hardened and ground shafting,' Steinbrunner added.

Thomson Super Smart ball bushing bearings are claimed to offer more than 200 times the life of a conventional ball bushing bearing.

Combined with a Lube for Life assembly that offers up to three times the life of a bearing that is lubricated just one (and not subsequently) during installation, OEMs and after-market applications can realise important benefits.

OEMs will benefit from maintenance-free machines that deliver 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 shipping, 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.

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