A new development by Coo Space, aย Japanese company, could mean higher efficiency for tools that use bearingsโwhich is to say a LOT of power tools. The principle is simple:ย rather than using individual bearing retainers or cages to separate each bearing in a system,ย a new designย places tinyย divots in the track for the balls to roll over. When the balls hit these divots, they speed up and then slow downโever so slightly. Itโs the same effect as going over ra small speed bump, but the end results is that the balls within the bearingย donโt collide. The net effect is greaseless bearings with 10x less friction than even a greased bearing. In fact, thereโs no need for lubrication on these bearingsโat least not for speed or performance (heat is another issue).
Greaseless Bearings toย Reduce Friction
As this is just the beginning, it will be cool to see if additional advances will proceed to make the greaseless bearing concept even better. The use of ceramics comes to mind, as that would enable this idea to thrive under systems that generate a lot of heat from friction and (forced) high speedโlike what youโll find in many power tool applications.
Given the recent advances in battery technologyย (like theย Bosch 6Ah battery pack and the EGO 7.5Ah 56V battery) the efficiency of motors is another great way to see even more run-time and performance from existing tool technology. The development of greaseless bearings and additional technology to make tools run longer and with greaterย efficiency will only serve to help the pro market.
Weโll try to stay on top of this as the technology develops.
