Tribology is derived from the Greek word tribos (TREE-bos), which means to rub.

Automatic Lubrication System

Macro Systems

We live in a dynamic environment with many different kinds of particles (large and small). Most think of tribology as the practice of lubrication engineering which can be traced back to ancient times where animal fat was initially used to lubricate the wheels of a chariot. Scientists of the time quickly learned the axles and wheels did not get hot and wear out as fast with a coating of fat. Hence, the concept of bearings was born.

Early engineers and scientists solved their problems with empirical solutions born of hard-earned experience with precious little theory. Soon these early engineers and scientists teamed together with practical experience to study many types of wear and lubrication problems.

Typical cost effective systems today consist of a grease pump and a network (typically a set of progressive blocks and grease lines) to distribute the exact amount of grease to specific locations. Errors in this approach consist of running the pump dry, breaking lines that carry the grease to a blockage in the system. Besides breaking a line, and running the pump dry, we don't have an economical solution to detecting and fixing blockages, except for hands on debugging. When a blockage occurrs typically an over-pressure fault results which usually shuts the whole system down.

Misty Windmill is currently doing research to find an economical solution this dilemma, as well as modernizing the controller which will provide wireless communication back to the maintenance department as well as owners of the system.

Micro Systems

Tribology ideas can be extended to smaller levels than macro systems. Medicine has for decades concentrated on reducing plague in our body that allows nuetrients to flow. One of the main causes of heart attacks is basically the clogging of our arteries and veins.

Nano-Particle Molecular Tribology