What are the advantages of an Air/Oil system and why would I use one on a low speed application?
Air/Oil systems are ideal for delivering the very small, but constant volumes of oil required by high speed rolling element bearings (250,000 DN and above) such as found in high speed machining spindles. They also provide air pressure within the bearing housing which prevents the ingression of bearing destroying contamination (water, dust, chips, scale, steam), and the air flow cools the bearing. In addition, the much smaller volumes of lubricant used reduces both the cost of the lubricant and the eventual disposal costs for used lubricant. For these reasons, Air/Oil systems have been successfully applied to High Speed Machining Spindles, Paper Machine Dryer Can Bearings, Steel Mill Work and Back-up Roll Bearings, Continuous Casters, Forming Rolls, Fan Bearings and Large Gear Type Speed Reducers.
