Material selection for bearings, chains and other motion components is one of the most influential yet overlooked factors affecting TCO. By taking a more strategic approach to material choice at the design stage, engineers can significantly reduce operating costs while improving long-term reliability and sustainability.
Understanding total cost of ownership in engineering design
Total cost of ownership refers to the complete cost of a machine or system over its entire operational life. This includes initial procurement, installation, maintenance, energy use, downtime, repairs, and end-of-life disposal. For motion components, ongoing maintenance and unplanned failures often outweigh the original purchase cost many times over.
Design decisions made early in a project, particularly around materials, have a lasting impact on these costs. Once a machine is in operation, opportunities to influence TCO become limited and expensive to implement.
Read the full article in DPA's March 2026 issue