This paper deals with vibration and acoustic emission (AE) measurements evaluating the separation of the balls and raceways with lubricating film in a linear-guideway–type recirculating ball bearing (linear bearing) under grease lubrication. In the experiments, three types of commercial grease, AS2, LG2, and PS2, were used. The vibratory acceleration, AE, temperature, and electric conductivity (contact voltage) in the test bearing were measured, while a carriage of the test bearing was driven at a certain linear velocity. Experimental results showed that the measured vibratory acceleration, AE, and contact voltage of the test bearing were affected by the linear velocity and the base oil viscosity of the grease. Next, the rail side film parameter ΛR and the carriage side film parameter ΛC were examined for the test bearing in operation, and it was shown that the ΛR value was lower than the ΛC value. In addition, a condition for the separation of all the balls and raceways with lubricating film was presented. Finally, it was shown that the measured root-mean-square (RMS) values of vibratory acceleration or AE can be used for evaluating the separation of all the balls and raceways with lubricating film in the test bearing.
