Short answer
Use the lubricant named by the robot or reducer manufacturer, in the quantity and at the interval in its maintenance manual. Strain-wave, cycloidal, and planetary reducers are qualified with specific lubricants, and warranty coverage can depend on following that specification. Do not substitute a general-purpose grease or mix lubricant types.
Harmonic drive, cycloidal, and RV reducers: know each axis
Industrial robots commonly use strain-wave (often called harmonic) reducers in wrist and smaller axes and cycloidal or RV-type reducers in larger axes. Collaborative robots and newer humanoid and mobile designs often use compact actuators that combine a motor, reducer, and bearing in one sealed unit.
The robot’s maintenance manual lists each axis, the reducer type, the specified lubricant, the fill quantity, and whether the axis is greased, oil-filled, or sealed for life. Record that table for every robot model on your floor.
Manuals from industrial robot makers such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Kawasaki, and Universal Robots each set their own lubricant list and schedule. Brand names here identify equipment only; A1 Synthetic Oil is not affiliated with any robot manufacturer.
Find the specified lubricant and interval
The interval is usually expressed in operating hours, calendar time, or both, whichever comes first. Heavy payloads, high duty cycles, and elevated ambient temperatures can shorten it; the manual or the manufacturer’s service group defines how.
Some controllers track reducer running time and display a lubrication reminder. Use the controller record together with the written schedule rather than relying on either alone.
Plan the service before opening a port
Many reducers require an exhaust or relief port to be opened during greasing so that old grease can escape and internal pressure does not damage seals. The manual specifies the port order, the robot posture, whether the axis should be moved during filling, and whether the robot must be run afterward to distribute the lubricant.
Overfilling can be as harmful as underfilling. Measure the quantity the manual specifies, and follow its lockout and safe-access procedures; a robot under service must not move unexpectedly.
Keep a robot preventive maintenance record
Log the date, controller hours, axis, lubricant name and lot, quantity added or replaced, and the condition of purged grease. Discolored, metallic, or unusually thin purged lubricant is worth reporting to the robot manufacturer’s service group.
A consistent record supports warranty claims and helps your maintenance team plan downtime across a fleet of robots.
Separate robot work from plant lubrication
The equipment around the robots, including compressors, hydraulic units, conveyors, and plant vehicles, has its own manuals and lubricant specifications. Plan that work separately so a general plant grease never ends up in a robot axis.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a general-purpose grease in a robot reducer?
No. Use the lubricant specified by the robot or reducer manufacturer. Reducers are qualified with specific lubricants, and a substitute can affect service life and warranty coverage.
What grease does a harmonic drive or RV reducer use?
The one the robot or reducer manufacturer specifies for that model and axis. Check the robot maintenance manual or the reducer maker’s documentation rather than choosing by grease type.
How often should robot grease be changed?
At the operating-hour or calendar interval in the robot’s maintenance manual, whichever comes first. Heavy payloads, high duty cycles, and heat can shorten it.
Can different reducer greases be mixed?
Do not mix lubricants unless the manufacturer states they are compatible. Follow its procedure for purging old grease when a specification changes.
Do collaborative robots need grease changes?
Many cobot joints are sealed for life. Follow the cobot maker’s maintenance schedule, which may call for inspection or joint replacement rather than regreasing.
Does A1 Synthetic Oil sell robot reducer grease?
No. A1 Synthetic Oil does not recommend AMSOIL products as substitutes for a specified robot reducer or actuator lubricant. Obtain the specified product through the robot or reducer manufacturer’s parts channel.
General maintenance information. Always follow your vehicle or equipment manufacturer’s requirements and the current product data. Questions? Email [email protected].