What Is Acoustic Bearing Lubrication — and Why It Beats the Calendar

Acoustic lubrication (ultrasonic / precision acoustic lubrication) is a relubrication method where the decision to add grease — and when to stop — is based on the high-frequency friction signal, not only on the calendar.

Why it exists

Calendars are easy to plan against, but they ignore real load, dust, temperature, and residual grease in the cavity. The result is under-greasing (dry contact, wear) or over-greasing (churning, heat, blown seals) — see over-greasing.

How it works

1. A sensor listens in the ultrasonic band: rising friction sounds louder.
2. The tech adds grease in small shots.
3. If the film recovers, the friction signal drops.
4. When the drop stops or the signal rises — stop. Further pumps are over-greasing.

Temperature and classic vibration often lag. Acoustics reacts earlier to boundary friction. Full method: condition-based lubrication. Calendar limits: how often to lubricate.

What it is not

Not the same as	Why
A special “ultrasound grease” tub	You change the control process, not necessarily the grade
Dropping norms and maps	Dose ceilings and a point map still matter
“Listening on headphones only”	You need measurement, thresholds, and history per point
A timed auto-lubricator	A timer is still a calendar; smart auto = condition-based (compare)

Who it fits

Electric motors, pumps, fans with grease nipples; conveyor drums where mistakes are expensive; plants already overspending grease or blowing seals. It does not replace the right grease grade, clean gun technique, or warehouse discipline.

Instruments (SDT / KEG TRK Kazakhstan)

• LUBExpert — route grease assistant
• LUBEChecker — simpler quality check
• SDT340 — diagnostics + grease mode
• LUBExpert ON-GUARD — stationary condition-based auto-lube

Pillar overview: /products/ultrasound/pillars/lubrication.

One-week start

1. Pick 20–50 critical nipple points.
2. Mini-map: grade, dose ceiling, owner.
3. One instrument + train the stop criterion.
4. After a month compare grease use, overheats, and “skipped — OK” share.

Request a pilot — KEG TRK.