PRESS RELEASE

Oil contamination identified as a major cause of machinery failure

Between 70 and 80 per cent of all hydraulic failures, which can lead to machinery failure, can be traced back to contaminated oil, according to leading drives and controls manufacturer, .

The warning has been issued due to increasing concerns that engineers

continue to rely on component monitoring as a means of early detection of machinery problems. Experts at Bosch Rexroth believe that

only 20 per cent of all unplanned downtime can be identified through component monitoring with oil analysis a more reliable option.

Rexroth has identified three types of oil contamination that are causing machinery problems, namely solid particles such as dirt and dust; liquid contamination, such as water and other fluid mixture, and gaseous contamination, such as air.

an expert in oil contamination -in during the manufacturing process, such as welding residue, or it can be external contamination entering via piston rods or poor seals and vents. It can even be generated during the working life of a drive via seal abrasion or

Bosch Rexroth GB, Melanie Bright, Marketing Executive, 15 Cromwell Road, St. Neots, PE19 2ES. www.boschrexroth.co.uk

70 to 80 per cent of hydraulic drive failures are caused by contaminated

Focused monitoring of oil cleanliness and conducting oil analysis provides information on the condition of the operating medium at an early stage and thus contributes to preventing expensive repairs, downtimes and unnecessary oil changes. Extended oil intervals cut costs in the short run, but in the long term, they increase the risk of damage caused by oil

degradation.

However, there remain concerns that oil analysis is not forming part of the regular machinery servicing schedule. the regular checks needed to identify problems before it becomes too late Gray. This can lead to a whole host of problems, such as valve and pump failure, which can result in unplanned machinery downtime and potentially costly repairs or the need to replace components entirely.

Ends

Bosch Rexroth technologies. Under the Rexroth brand name, the company supplies more than 500,000 customers with tailored solutions for driving, controlling, and moving. Bosch Rexroth is a partner for Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, Factory Automation and Renewable Energies. The company provides customized solutions tailored to the needs and specifications of each individual market. As The Drive & Control Company, Bosch Rexroth develops, produces, and sells components and systems in over 80 countries. As part of the Bosch Group, Bosch Rexroth and its 38,400 associates generated approximately 6.4 billion euros in revenue in 2011. To learn more, please visit www.boschrexroth.com

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In 2013, its roughly 281,000 associates generated sales of 46.1 billion euros. (NB: Due to a change in accounting policies, the 2013 figures can only be compared to a limited extent with the Page 2 of 3

2012 figures). Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Automotive Technology, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises GmbH and its more than 360 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 50 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth.

In 2013, the Bosch Group invested some 4.5 billion euros in research and development and applied for some 5,000 patents. This is an average of 20 patents per day. The Bosch by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company

The company was set up in in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-

Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. 92 percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.co.uk and www.bosch-press.com

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