in the performance and life of a rolling element bearing. Less than 10 percent of bearings reach their theoretical L10 life, and poor lubrication can be attributed to 80 percent of those that fall short. Ideally, a lubricant forms a film layer between moving components in a bearing, separating moving parts, minimizing friction and preventing wear between balls or rollers, raceways and retainers. Lubricants also protect metal surfaces from corrosion and moisture, dissipate heat and can even prevent the ingress of contaminants.

Lubrication management should be standard operating procedure at any manufacturing facility. Vital to both operational and maintenance personnel, a strong, coherent and specific lubrication program will have lasting results in machine efficiency and maintenance. Of course, even those with the best intentions can’t always keep up with the challenges presented day-to-day on the manufacturing floor. Thankfully, PTE is here to help with eight steps to selecting, storing, analyzing and managing your lubrication requirements.

Dale Renner, CBS and sales representative at Bearing Headquarters Co., explains how his bearing expertise helped solve a customer’s problem and saved significant downtime and cost.

In 1941, the federal Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory set up shop in Cleveland, Ohio. This year, and several name changes later, what is now the NASA Glenn Research Center celebrates its 75th anniversary. As part of the year-long festivities, Glenn’s adjunct Lewis Field main campus will be open to the public May 21 and 22, and Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio will hold its open house June 11 and 12.

Latest news about upcoming products.

Power Transmission Engineering is collaborating with the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA) on a special section within the magazine. Bearing Briefs will present updated reports on bearing topics for each issue in 2016. Complimentary access to all BSA Bearing and Industry Briefs is available on the BSA website at www.bsahome.org/tools.

Energy’s endless energy efficiency game of whack-a-mole, motors have historically always been one of the go-to moles. They’ve been in the spotlight since 1992. Over the past few decades, repeated efficiency laws have seen motor efficiency get whacked into tighter and tighter shape.

Modeling and simulation is a key driver of innovation. Whether it’s general manufacturing, consumer goods or life sciences, the ability to realistically model and simulate the response of parts, sub-systems and complete assemblies to increase accuracy and repeatability is vital in today’s analytical world.

An independent cheese packager in central Wisconsin packages millions of pounds of cheese every year. Whether shredded, sliced, crumbled or waxed, each package is designed specifically for a customer’s unique needs. As a “toll processor,” production line speed is critical to productivity as well as profitability.

Michael Odom, certified bearing specialist and customer sales and service at Applied Industrial Technologies, explains how he used his bearing expertise to save a customer both money and downtime.