Turn Complexity Into Simplicity With Smart Lubrication
The job of a maintenance manager is complex. And part of that complexity comes from tasks maintenance managers wish they could cut out of their daily routines – but can’t. Not without smart lubrication. Our OPTIME smart lubricators combine all the benefits of automatic lubrication with award-winning smart technology. The OPTIME C1 is the world’s first truly smart lubricator and has been eliminating tasks such as lubricating by hand or having to manually check on lubrication points for years.
But sometimes, you just need more – such as more outlets for machines with multiple lubrication points. Or more insights for even more peace of mind. To provide you with a Smart Lubrication solution in these and many more situations, the FAG OPTIME C4 has been part of our portfolio since 25.09.2025.
Simplifying Machine and Bearing Lubrication for the Process Industry
Did you know that 74% of all lubrication points in the process industry are still manually lubricated – making machine maintenance complex and time consuming?
Easy to install, use and refill: OPTIME lubricators make planning maintenance simple
The smart lubricators are easily activated via NFC technology. You can use the OPTIME Mobile App to monitor lubrication – from wherever you are. With its extremely intuitive user interface, the app will tell you which lubrication points are insufficiently supplied and which cartridges need to be refilled or replaced.
This helps eliminate premature and unexpected bearing failure caused by insufficient and/or incorrect lubrication – and reduce expensive downtime. It’s as easy as that.
Discover the benefits
Smart Multi-Point Lubrication System – The FAG OPTIME C4
A smart lubricator for multiple lubrication points, the FAG OPTIME C4 expands the portfolio – and simplifies machine lubrication even more.
When you need more
Since manual machine lubrication is particularly prone to error, smart lubricators are an ideal way to reduce maintenance efforts and unplanned downtime. To offer a Smart Lubrication solution for even more applications and requirements, we’re expanding our current portfolio with the FAG OPTIME C4.
Thanks to additional features and functionalities, it offers maintenance managers more convenience and relief in their everyday work. Whether it’s an individual machine, a complete production line or the concrete needs of a maintenance team – the FAG OPTIME C4 offers more when more is needed.
More condition-based greasing – for even more Smart Lubrication
Just in time for the launch of the FAG OPTIME C4, a new feature is also being added to the OPTIME Ecosystem that makes it even easier to ensure that machines are optimally lubricated. OPTIME Condition Monitoring can now detect a lack of lubricant in a machine based on vibration data. You will then receive a warning notification in the app. If you use OPTIME lubricators, you can easily identify the affected lubrication point. This way, you will immediately know which lubricator you need to adjust to keep your machine running smoothly.
Having lubrication and condition monitoring combined in one system makes the OPTIME Ecosystem – and with that, the FAG OPTIME C4 – unique. This gives you an edge when it comes to lubricating machines.
Smart Single-Point Lubrication System – The Optime C1
The electro-mechanic lubricator was the first to combine the advantages of automatic lubrication with smart monitoring technology – and became the first representative of OPTIME Smart Lubrication.
Our OPTIME lubrication systems reliably deliver the specified amount of lubricant – and therefore ensure that your machines are always optimally supplied.
As the amount of grease dispensed is precisely determined, you can reduce lubricant waste by up to 60% by using smart lubrication systems. This lowers costs and minimizes the ecological footprint. Friction caused by improper lubrication is also reduced, which, in turn, offers energy savings of up to 3%.
In the long run, the optimal lubrication offered by this smart lubrication system also improves the overall lifetime of your bearings and machines. At the same time, they reduce the scrap rate caused by unplanned downtime.
Three unique challenges – and how smart lubricators can help you overcome them
Customer Success Stories
Discover how our smart lubrication systems are already simplifying machine lubrication for other maintenance managers.
FAG OPTIME C4 - More filling capacity and fewer hazardous routes
To ensure that all lubrication points on the fans located on the roof of the hardening plant are optimally supplied, maintenance staff have to undertake time-consuming and potentially dangerous routes. To reduce the frequency of these rounds and ensure that the lubrication points are effectively supplied according to their individual requirements, the maintenance team implemented the FAG OPTIME C4 lubricator. This reduces the number of rounds required, increases safety and can be easily integrated as a new element of the OPTIME Ecosystem. It supports more lubrication points with greater volume and provides transparency to the maintenance team via the OPTIME app.
Annual savings: €15,000 plus more time.
OPTIME C1 - Time savings and enhanced safety thanks to digital lubricators
At the Schaeffler plant in Schweinfurt, 30,000 metric tons of steel are hardened every year. To ensure that the hardening furnaces are running smoothly, they must be supplied with the right type and amount of lubricant at the right time.
To minimize lube rounds and lower the risk of accidents on machines with impeded access, the maintenance team uses OPTIME C1. Thanks to the smart technology, they can keep an eye on the status of the lubricators. This means that significantly fewer manual checks are required and unplanned downtime is avoided thanks to precise lubrication.
OPTIME C1 - Optimizing lubrication and saving money
To avoid unplanned downtime, the lubrication of spherical plain bearings of the multi-stage press at the Schaeffler plant in Herzogenaurach had to be checked every month. This required appropriate planning, cost working time and led to production losses.
With the OPTIME C1, all that is history. What’s more, the digital solution means that the maintenance team can keep their machines running thanks to location-independent access to machine data.
Total savings: more than 137,000 EUR saved for each prevented multi-stage press breakdown.
How the Smart Lubrication Systems Work
The OPTIME C1 and FAG OPTIME C4 smart lubricators are part of the OPTIME Ecosystem – which consists of many elements working together to reduce downtime. Learn more about the different components below.
With the user interfaces in the mobile OPTIME App, the OPTIME Dashboard (web-based), and the OPTIME ExpertViewer (optional), users can easily access the information they need – anywhere, at any time.
With its high computing power and capacity, the OPTIME Cloud & Analytics component captures huge amounts of data and prepares them for easy understanding and processing.
Connection of all OPTIME Ecosystem devices via the gateways – the automated, self-healing OPTIME Mesh Network configures itself, requires little energy, and offers a very large coverage area.
The OPTIME REST API makes it easy to connect the OPTIME Ecosystem to other existing systems and get the most out of the data collected. Existing customer ecosystems may include maintenance and asset management systems, databases, and other elements.
With the OPTIME Connector Service, you can easily connect SmartCheck, ProLink CMS, and other devices to the OPTIME Ecosystem.
Expert Services complement the OPTIME Ecosystem with key services such as integrated in-app access to vibration experts, training, and support offerings to help you get the most out of your OPTIME Ecosystem.
With wireless vibration sensors, you can monitor your machines, even in hazardous areas, from wherever you are.
OPTIME 3
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Simplify how you lubricate your machines with the world’s first truly smart lubricators – the OPTIME C1 and the FAG OPTIME C4.
The OPTIME Gateway collects data from OPTIME vibration sensors and lubricators. It is a standalone device that makes secure cloud connectivity easy without requiring integration into your IT/OT networks and can also be used in hazardous areas up to Zone 2/21
Turning competence into value
Ready to turn your competencies into value? With the new OPTIME training offering, you can now easily unlock the expertise you need to keep your machines rolling.
Intuitive, interactive and available online via the Schaeffler Training Campus on medias
Accessible whenever you want and from wherever you are, the on-demand offering lets you learn at your own pace
Offers easy insights into OPTIME fundamentals, installation and operation – and with more to come!
