The relationships we have built with our customers and users have always been the foundation of our paradigm of evolution and growth. The FBT-3 User Meeting provided an opportunity for all Four Ball Tester (FBT-3) users to strengthen this bond by sharing their experience with the instrument and some of the results they obtained through their testing procedures.
In This Article:
The FBT-3 User Meeting was hosted by Azelis Italia Srl in their Lubricants & Metalworking Fluids application laboratory in Milan, Italy, bringing together researchers, engineers, and partners who use our scientific instruments. The event, held in a hybrid format, welcomed more than 40 Four-Ball Tester owners and lubricants R&D scientists, creating a vibrant and interactive environment that blended technical presentations, forward-looking discussions, and networking opportunities.
Tabletop Four Ball Tester (FBT-3)
The goal of this meeting was simple yet impactful: to foster a deeper exchange between our team and our user community, share new developments, and showcase customer success stories that highlight the versatility and reliability of our instruments.
The meeting was introduced by Fabio Alemanno, Key Account Manager at Ducom Instruments, who set the tone for the day by welcoming both on-site and virtual participants. He emphasized our ongoing commitment to supporting scientific research with high-performance instrumentation, pointing out how important it is to work with cutting-edge companies to keep pushing the boundaries of lubricants testing.
The floor was then given to Deepak Veeregowda, Global Head of Marketing and Sales at Ducom Instruments, who presented a forward-looking perspective on the future development of our instruments. This presentation delved into upcoming features – such as ultralow viscosity fluids testing in FBT-3 and long terms WP tests that differentiate WP additives and correlate better with field data –, enhancements, and research-driven innovations in FBT-3 testing, designed to meet evolving industry demands.
[If you’re interested in seeing the full presentation, click here. ]
From Our Community
FBT-3 Insights by our Customers & Partners
A highlight of the meeting was hearing directly from our customers, who generously shared their research findings and application results using our instruments.
This section was opened by Daniele Frigerio, Competence Center Manager LMWF at Azelis Italia, who introduced the company and the LMWF Application Lab in Milan, where the User Meeting took place. The presentation verted on the comparison of the tribological properties guaranteed by ZDDP and ETHAFLOW 6705 (phosphite free) additives through ASTM and DIN standard methods. Custom tests with moderate load and long durations (up to 20 hours) were performed to better simulate real operating conditions for greases and investigate on the reactivity of any additive.
[If you’re interested in seeing the full presentation, click here.}
Matt Tooze, R&D Chemist at Vickers Oils, presented an insight about his company and the improvements guaranteed by the investment in the FBT-3. Temperature automatic monitoring and great data repeatability are their key satisfactory factors. Their recent R&D efforts involve using the FBT‑3 to correlate data with MTM test results with the aim to locate probable starvation issues with the product.
[If you’re interested in seeing the full presentation, click here. ]
Ettore Caldarazzo, Powertrain Specialist at Maroil s.r.l. - Bardahl Italia, presented some results of their experimental activities, focusing on modified ASTM D4172 test methods to investigated on the effect of different temperature on the effectiveness of different additives. Motorcycle oils were tested through a step-load procedure and different competitors fluids were compared. At last, an insight on the properties of truck shock absorbers in hydraulic oils was dispensed.
[If you’re interested in seeing the full presentation, click here.]
In addition to technical and research-focused sessions, Marco Rocha, Application Engineer at Ducom Instruments, presented an in-depth overview of the Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) plan offered by Ducom. This session provided attendees with a clear understanding of the value and benefits of AMC.
[Want to learn more about our instruments or the AMC plan? Contact our team. ]
After the presentations, the floor opened for questions and answers, creating an engaging dialogue between attendees and presenters. Participants – both in person and online – had the opportunity to seek clarification, share their experiences, and suggest future features they would like to see in upcoming Four Ball Tester (FBT-3) releases. The event concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to connect with peers, exchange insights, and foster collaborations that extend beyond the meeting.
User meetings like this are more than just events: they are touchpoints in our partnership with the scientific community. They provide:
These interactions ensure that our instruments evolve in alignment with real-world challenges and emerging research priorities.