Checking for Robot Grease Leaks

Checking Your Robot Grease Leaks

As part of your daily robot inspection, all robot axes should be visually checked for signs of grease leakage. Early detection of a grease leak allows corrective maintenance to be scheduled before additional damage occurs to the robot reducer, bearings, seals, or surrounding components.

Grease leaks are commonly caused by a worn or damaged reducer seal. When a seal begins to fail, grease can escape from the reducer housing and collect around axis joints, wrist assemblies, or the robot base. If left unaddressed, a grease leak can result in accelerated component wear, contamination of surrounding equipment, unplanned downtime, and in severe cases, catastrophic reducer failure.

Inspection Procedure

1. Visually inspect all robot axes for grease accumulation, residue, or signs of leakage.
2. Check around reducer housings, joint seals, wrist assemblies, and the robot base.
3. Look for grease buildup mixed with dust or debris, which is often an early indicator of a developing leak.
4. Inspect the floor and surrounding equipment for grease that may have migrated from the robot.
5. If a leak is identified, document the affected axis and monitor the severity until repairs can be scheduled.