• Grease Test Rig RHF 1

Grease Test Rig RHF 1


The purpose of the test is to measure the ability of a grease to lubricate at various high speeds, temperatures and axial loads. The grease quality is measured by recording the number of running hours before the grease ceases to lubricate and, as a consequence, the bearings fail. The longer the number of running hours in the test unit, the more effectively the grease lubricates under those conditions. In this way the maximum operating speed, temperature and load for a particular grease can be determined.

  • Advanced flexibility
  • Customer application test possible
  • Free programmable test parameters
  • Frequent monitoring of test parameters
  • Windows 7-based software
  • Cast-iron housing with integrated heating system and temperature insulation. The housing contains two test bearings mounted on a high-precision shaft
  • High-speed frequency motor drive
  • Base frame including motor drive lubrication system and pneumatics for applying axial load
  • External cooling system for motor drive
  • Electrical cabinet with integrated PC and machine control systems

The Grease Test Rig RHF 1 essentially consists of three parts – a mechanical test unit, an electrical cabinet which incorporates the PC, the keyboard and the screen, all control functions for the test mechanics and an external cooling system supporting the high-speed spindle drive. All important parts of the machine can be accessed from the front side. Various test bearings can be used. For the shielded bearings, the shields are delivered separately. The high-precision shaft is rotated by a frequency-controlled high-speed spindle drive. The cast iron housing contains two heating elements. Each half of the housing has a temperature probe to check and regulate the temperature. The bearings are mounted on a high precision shaft in the housing and the whole mechanical test rig is assembled. The bearings are slowly brought up to the speed and temperature at which the real test starts. These tests can be long-life grease tests or short-term grease tests to evaluate the condition of the test grease after a certain test temperature is reached. Each bearing is individually temperature-controlled by means of a thermocouple. When the test temperature increases beyond preprogrammed limits, the unit will be switched off automatically (Sudden Death Test).The test bearings are standard bearings with separate shields or without shields. They are washed, rinsed, dried and lubricated with a specified quantity of test grease. In the Grease Test Rig RHF 1, greases are checked for their grease life in high-speed and/or high-temperature applications. The longer the running time, the better the quality of the grease. Two test bearings run as a pair in the cast-iron housing. Consequently, when one of the bearings fails due to temperature rise or seizing, both bearings will stop running, although the other bearing may still be in excellent condition (Sudden Death Test Strategy).

Spindle Speed:

K94800/K94890: 60,000 RPM
K94801/K94891: 75,000 RPM

Test temperature: Up to 230 °C

Axial test load: 50 to 1 100 N/bearing

Drive: high-speed spindle

Operating system: Windows 7

Evaluation system: Industrial panel PC

Test bearings
For pure high-speed grease testing (synthetic cage):7005
For high-temperature/speed testing (metal cage): 6204 shields delivered separately in the package

Grease filling grades
For pure high-speed grease testing: 10 to 15% of the free volume 0,71 to 1,06 cm3
For high-temperature/speed testing: 20 to 30% of the free volume, 1,4 g corresponds to 30% when the specific weight is in a range of 0.9 to 1.0 g/cm3

Test parameters
For pure high-speed grease testing:
Speed rating for grease acc. 50,000 RPM = 1,8 mill. n × Dm
Maximum spindle speed possible 60,000 RPM = 2,16 mill. n × Dm
Maximum spindle speed possible 75,000 RPM = 2,7 mill. n × Dm
Axial load 50 to 350 N load applied pneumatically
Ambient temperature
Speeds and loads freely selectable and changeable during test duration

For high-temperature/speed testing:
Test bearing with shields or without shields
Speed rating for grease acc. 32,000 RPM = 1,072 mill. n × Dm
Maximum spindle speed possible 60,000 RPM = 2,01 mill. n × Dm
Maximum spindle speed possible 75,000 RPM = 2,7 mill. n × Dm
Axial load 50 ... 1,100 N load applied pneumatically
Temperature up to 230 °C
Speeds, temperature and loads freely selectable and changeable during test duration

400V 50Hz 30 kVA 3 Phase
480V 60Hz 30 kVA 3 Phase

Valve Control Voltage: 24 V
Pneumatic System: Air Pressure 6 bar (87 psi) at least, clean, dry air

    wxdxh,in.(cm): 65.1 x 28.3 x 68.1 (165x72x173)

    Net Weight: 1,934 lbs (895kg)

    • K94800-1 Test Setup for Bearing Type 6204 For 60,000 RPM Model 
    • K94800-2 Test Setup for Bearing Type 7005 For 60,000 RPM Model 
    • K94801-1 Test Setup for Bearing Type 6204 For 75,000 RPM Model 
    • K94801-2 Test Setup for Bearing Type 7005 For 75,000 RPM Model 
    • K94800-3 Test Bearing 6204 
    • K94800-4 Test Bearing 7005 
    • K94800-5 Shield Pressing Tool for Type 6204 Test Bearing