To be clear, “smart” bearings—i.e., bearings and sensors integrated into a component to monitor bearing performance—are not new. They’ve been around for decades, dating back to military applications circa World War II. Since then, they have played a vital role, according to the Bearing Specialists Association (BSA), i
For the most accurate measurements, miniature and instrument ball bearing dimensions should be measured with a calibrated air gauge. A good second option is a calibrated optical comparator. On occasion, it may be necessary to use a calibrated, hand-held micrometer to double-check a measurement or for simple verificati
A bearing service life prediction methodology and tutorial indexed to eight probable causes for bearing failure and removal are presented - including fatigue. Bearing life is probabilistic and not deterministic. Bearing manufacturers' catalogue (L10) bearing life is based on rolling-element fatigue failure, at which time 90% of a pop
During the past three decades there has been an evolution in the advancement and use of highly engineered plastics in bearing applications. Plastic bearings are no longer designed like their dime-a-dozen, injection-molded nylon ancestors. Today, plastic bearings cost and weigh less than their metal counterparts, but what many
Bearings are an essential component in the majority of mechanical designs and equipment. It is important to consider the most effective materials when designing industrial machinery, especially in applications where water or other liquids are present. Many materials will be unable to overcome the challenges associated with operating in a
The air-oil, two-phase flow inside the multiple-point, oil-jet lubrication ball bearing was studied based on CFD (computational fluid dynamics) theory and technique, and compared with single-point, oil-jet lubrication. The results indicate that the air-oil distribution inside the bearing with multiple-point, oil-jet lubricati
A Chicago-area bakery was replacing the tray support bearings in its ovens on a reactionary basis. Their weekly inspection cycle was resulting in two mechanics spending an average of 20 labor hours per week to replace failed bearings. The premature bearing failures were caused by a combination of the high heat and humidity in
At Hannover Messe 2020, processes and technologies that up until quite recently were regarded as separate and distinct will be showcased together in an integrated overview of process flows and solutions. “In the current age of Industry 4.0, the focus is on flexible manufacturing, standalone yet integrated machines and systems
The chemical and physical properties of gear oils may change, depending - more or less - upon their formulation and the environmental conditions under which they are used. This is why - after three years of use in a wind turbine - a gear oil was examined to determine if indeed changes were evident and if the protection of the gears and r
Many power transmission components require a certain level of customization for each individual project. The big bearing market is no exception. Construction, mining, steel, marine and wind applications arenâ™t exactly areas where customers buy bearings in bulk.
The signing of a contract for more than 5,000 sets of SKFâ™s latest high-capacity cylindrical roller bearings (HCCRB) for wind turbines will impart added load-carrying capacity, more reliability and longer life to the Nanjing Gear Companyâ™s (NGC) line of gearboxes for wind generation applications.
SKF’s slewing bearing manufacturing footprint in North America is being consolidated. As a result, the Group’s factory in Kalos, Mexico, will be closed during the fourth quarter of 2019. Customers will continue to be served from the Group’s other slewing bearing factories in North America, including in Monterrey, Mexico. <
B&R, a unit of ABB’s robotics and discrete automation business, announced the integration of ABB robots into its automation portfolio. With the ability to offer unprecedented levels of machine flexibility and precision, merging robotics with machine control into one unified architecture will enable manufacturers to embrac
Wind turbine gearboxes are subjected to a wide variety of operating conditions, some of which may push the bearings beyond their limits. Damage may be done to the bearings, resulting in a specific premature failure mode known as white etching cracks (WEC), sometimes called brittle, short-life, early, abnormal or white struct
Slow speed operation of fan systems within the air handling industry is generally performed due to two reasons: a coast down operation is required for hot (induced draft) fans to cool down before shutdown (often by using a turning gear), and operational efficiency improvements can be achieved during non-peak periods by slow s
Bearings used to support main spindles on machine tools must be capable of higher speed and greater rigidity. This is true in that any main spindle that turns together with a tool or work piece mounted onto it is one of the critical machine tool components that directly affects machining efficiency and accuracy of the machine
Siemens has announced the official launch and general availability of the Siemens Additive Manufacturing (AM) Network, following pilots and successful implementations with customers and partners, including Decathlon, Siemens Gas & Power, Siemens Mobility, HP and Materialise. The Siemens AM Network provides an advanced clo
