Stick Slip Stability by Transfer Lubrication

A transfer lubrication technique has been used successfully in stabilising the vibratory motion of a mechanical system subject to stick slip. The most effective transfer lubricants were found to be p.t.f.e. and graphite lubricating steel on steel and cast iron on cast iron junctions respectively. In addition the effectiveness of three different surface finish conditions for the slideway has been examined. Experimental results are shown to correlate well with current stability theories and also indicate the practical limitations of the transfer lubrication technique in converting stick slip to a steady continuous slip motion.