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Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

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Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#91

Post by timhall99 »

twic wrote: post #80

Are you competing with equipment manufacturers at all? I worked with one big manufacturer briefly, and they were cramming telemetry and electronics into everything they could, so they could provide this kind of cloud-based preventative maintenance service (although i never heard anything specific about grease). Is there a chance you eventually won't be able to sell because machines already come with grease intelligen…

Yes, we are aware that big manufacturers are starting to roll out lots of telemetry into their equipment. i've only seen the greasing angle addressed by manufacturers on mobile equipment (bulldozers etc) The problem with these platforms is that they are designed to encourage lock in. Lets face it, most customers don't buy one type of equipment for their entire plant. With many different brand specific platforms, it may not be palatable for customers. Our strategy is to be light, retrofittable, simple and easily integrated into customer's larger management systems (like SAP)

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#92

Post by timhall99 »

Nathanael_M wrote: post #78

Very cool! I live in a mining town and the number one issue is just getting the mines to adopt new technologies. A lot of people very set in their ways. I've heard of million+ dollar projects just sitting unused because people weren't bothered to charge an iPad. Do you manage the installs, maintenance, and training yourselves? Have you had any issues with people purchasing the system, but not using it? I wish you the…

Thanks Nathanael, Yes, tech adoption is a risk and something that we are trying very hard to address. Our strategy is to keep the tool & system as simple as possible. Our head unit has no buttons, only a screen and a charge port and is retrofitted onto existing grease guns. We want to allow operators to work as they normally would but to have the tool that augments them and makes their job easier. We know its not going to be an easy task, but simplicity in design is our strategy to overcome this.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#93

Post by timhall99 »

EVa5I7bHFq9mnYK wrote: post #85

Why so mnay zerks in breweries, more than in superyachts?

pumps to flow god's nectar through the pipes.. also conveyors and screw pumps to carry raw ingredients (barley, hops etc) from storage locations into the vat.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#94

Post by toomuchtodo »

SteveGreaseBoss wrote: post #48
toomuchtodo wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anything unique about the head unit you could patent?

We have patents on the head unit and the whole system

Tremendous. Best wishes and much success.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#95

Post by SteveGreaseBoss »

ryanchan001 wrote: post #35

We should chat Steve!! Sounds like a lot of interesting potential and congrats on the launch! - Ryan from UpKeep (www.onupkeep.com)

Thanks Ryan, I'll reach out, I had you on my radar for post-YC.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#96

Post by sigmaprimus »

My neighbor has been working full time in a sawmill for 40 years as an oiler, as well as greasing bushing and bearings, part of his job is filling oil resivoirs. This may be another industry that could benifit from your tech offerings.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#97

Post by petercondoleon »

Nathanael_M wrote: post #78

Very cool! I live in a mining town and the number one issue is just getting the mines to adopt new technologies. A lot of people very set in their ways. I've heard of million+ dollar projects just sitting unused because people weren't bothered to charge an iPad. Do you manage the installs, maintenance, and training yourselves? Have you had any issues with people purchasing the system, but not using it? I wish you the…

Yes adoption risk is very real for us. We have encountered some operators who are as you describe but interestingly liked the idea for keeping other operators in check particularly in cases where there are teams of people doing the lubrication.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#98

Post by timhall99 »

sigmaprimus wrote: post #96

My neighbor has been working full time in a sawmill for 40 years as an oiler, as well as greasing bushing and bearings, part of his job is filling oil resivoirs. This may be another industry that could benifit from your tech offerings.

Thanks Sigma, Yeah, this is not the first time that we've heard this.. Its another one thats on our product roadmap at the moment...

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#99

Post by timhall99 »

oakwhiz wrote: post #63

Interesting concept - I have heard of grease "dose" devices before, AvE on YouTube takes one apart in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydhndNX_8KI It's effectively an unattended, disposable piston that uses an electronic timer to periodically generate gases to push the grease out. Everything is calibrated so that it dispenses approximately the right amount over the right time period. For machines that can…

Yes, these auto lubricators are widespread and a competitor to our current product. That being said, these auto lubricator do have their downsides and our customers have been very open about these. One of our customers is using GreaseBoss to replace auto lubricators as it gives much better control over the greasing. Additionally, we do have a second product in development that works with auto lubricators to overcome some of the core issues that our customers are experiencing with them.

Re: Launch HN: GreaseBoss (YC W21) – Real-time system to manage industrial greasing

#100

Post by petercondoleon »

sigmaprimus wrote: post #96

My neighbor has been working full time in a sawmill for 40 years as an oiler, as well as greasing bushing and bearings, part of his job is filling oil resivoirs. This may be another industry that could benifit from your tech offerings.

Absolutely. We've been throwing ideas around for OilBoss, AirBoss, FuelBoss and ExplosiveBoss. Obviously we're going to to focus on getting GreaseBoss right first but there are some other very exciting problems out there to solve!
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