Regal Rexnord Corporation has announced the launch of its new AirMax Pro Smart Breather, a connected device that protects industrial gearboxes from moisture and particles. 

A leading cause of gearbox failure is lubricant contamination or corrosion inside the box as a result of intrusion of moisture or particles, leading to machinery failure caused by abrasion, erosion, fatigue and corrosive wear. The cost of removing particles and moisture is also 10 times the cost of prevention. 

Keeping the inside of the gearbox clean and free of these harmful materials is therefore critical to a long life of operation. In addition, being able to monitor contamination levels inside the gearbox is essential to the efficient and safe operation of plant and equipment. 

Regal Rexnord’s new AirMax Pro Smart Breather is specifically designed to protect gearboxes and ensure they operate at maximum efficiency in the harshest of environments, such as grain handling. It extends the life of industrial lubricants by preventing contamination with desiccant breathers, removes contaminants with filtration systems, and detects lubricant problems with visual oil analysis.

In addition, the breather detects and records any unusual spikes in humidity and water ingress by integrating with Regal Rexnord’s Perceptiv connected technology, which uses cloud-based technology to track, report, communicate and share performance data. 

This connectivity enables users to monitor the status of their equipment through a variety of modules, sensors, and other connected products. Early detection of system upsets, avoidance of equipment failures and unplanned downtime saves the operator money while maintaining operational efficiency.

The AirMax Pro Smart Breather is particularly powerful when installed in Regal Rexnord’s gearboxes, such as its Falk V-Class and Planetgear drives, which are specifically designed for use in the harshest industrial environments, including wood products and mining where environmental impacts can affect the life of a gearbox.