Slideway oils

Slow moving slides and tables in machine tools are subject to jerky motion due to alternating slipping and sticking of the sliding surfaces. Consequently, specially developed lubricants are required to prevent and/or reduce the stick-slip phenomenon. Slideway oils usually contain polar surface-active compounds, mostly fatty acid derivatives, together with anti-wear additives and oxidation inhibitors. The polar surface-active agents form oriented boundary layers which prevent adhesive friction. 

Plain slideways are preferred in the majority of applications. Only a thin film of lubricant is present, so its properties - especially its viscosity, adhesion and extreme-pressure characteristics - are of vital importance. If lubrication breaks down intermittently, a condition is created known as stick-slip , which affects surface finish, causes vibration and chatter and makes close limits difficult to hold. Special adhesive additives are incorporated into the lubricant to provide good bonding of the oil film to the sliding surfaces, which helps to overcome the problems of table and slideway lubrication. On long traverses, oil may be fed through grooves in the underside of the slideway. 

The use of hydrostatic slideways - in which pressurized oil or air is employed - completely eliminates stick-slip and reduces friction to very low values but there are disadvantages in the form of higher costs and greater complication. 

The lubrication of leadscrews is similar in essence to that of slideways, but in some instances may be more critical. This is especially so when pre-load is applied to eliminate play and improve machining accuracy, since it tends to squeeze out the lubricant. Leadscrews and slideways often utilize the same lubricants. If the screw is to operate under high unit stresses - due to pre-load or actual working loads - extreme-pressure oil should be used. 

Tramp oil is caused when heat slideway, gear, hydraulic and spindle lubricants leak into water-based cutting fluids and can cause problems such as ... 

G Mineral oils with improved 68 Slideways Lubrication of all types of machine May also be used for the... 

May also be used for the lubrication of slideways, when an oil of this viscosity is required... 

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