How to choose the right lubricating grease for the stepper motor?

For stepper motors, the proper grease is very important. If the inappropriate grease is selected, it will lead to high motor noise, excessive current, increased motor wear and motor failure.

This article will help you choose the right grease for your motor from the principles of motor lubricating grease selection, classification, factors that should be considered and precautions when choosing stepper motor lubricating grease.

Selection principle of motor lubricating grease

1. Working environment

The working environment mainly refers to the minimum and maximum temperature of the working environment, air humidity, whether it contains corrosive gas or excessive dust, etc. For example, when the motor is used outdoors in severe cold areas, lithium-based low-temperature grease should be used, and calcium-based grease should be used in places with high humidity and water.

2. Working temperature

That is, the highest temperature that may occur during the operation of the motor. When the working temperature is high, high-temperature grease with a high dropping point should be selected. The actual maximum working temperature should be 10-20°C lower than the dropping point of the grease (synthetic grease should be 20-30°C).

3. Load condition

For heavy loads, grease with smaller cone penetration (that is, relatively thick and high viscosity) should be selected. When the motor works under high pressure, the lubricating grease is not only required to have a small cone penetration, but also requires high oil film strength and extrusion performance, such as using aluminum-based lubricating grease (but it should be noted that its maximum temperature resistance is low).

Classification of lubricating Grease

The main property of grease is to reduce friction and reduce wear. In general, greases can be divided into the following categories:

1. General-purpose grease: easy to use, cheap, and easy to obtain, but usually not suitable for special applications;

2. Special grease: more powerful, more professional, can meet specific requirements, but the price is more expensive, generally difficult to buy;

3. Hybrid grease: between the first two types, it can not only resist wear but also increase the speed, but may require special additives;

4. Semi-synthetic lubricating oil: similar to glycerin in petroleum, it is produced on the basis of fat and has good lubricity and anti-oxidation properties, but it has certain pollution to the environment.

Factors You Should Consider When Choosing a Stepper Motor Grease

1. Select the corresponding type of grease according to the part of the motor where the grease is used. For example, if the lubricating grease is used in the gearbox of a stepping motor, the anti-wear, low-viscosity grade product should be selected; secondly, the noise reduction performance and durability of the lubricating grease should be considered;

2. Choose the appropriate type of grease according to the characteristics you require, such as high speed, anti-wear, lower current and lower noise. For stepper motors, under normal circumstances, oil products with an extreme pressure rating of no more than 3.0mmHg/kg can be selected;

3. In order to avoid oxidation problems, grease with good oxidation stability should be selected.

Precautions

When adding grease to the stepper motor, the following points should be paid attention to:

1. Choose the right grease. Lubricating oil and grease are different concepts. The correct choice will help reduce frictional resistance and increase transmission speed;

2. Strictly control the amount, and only after the optimal amount of grease is determined can it play its maximum role;

3. Avoid using too much or too little grease. Excessive amount on the motor can damage the winding insulation and cause excessive accumulation of dirt and dust by the motor. too little may not guarantee a good sealing effect;

4. After the grease is used, it should be sealed and placed in a cool and dry place, which can effectively extend the shelf life of the grease.

In short, it is best to use high-quality grease for stepper motors, which can effectively protect the motor from various conditions and prolong the service life of the motor.

Article source: https://article-realm.com/article/Product-Reviews/44794-How-to-choose-the-right-lubricating-grease-for-the-stepper-motor.html