MATERIALS
for the bearings that he would install in refurbished wind vanes. “It doesn’t make sense to use
inferior products for the bearings since this is the only part that wears out,” says Mc Bride, noting that traditionally the bearings require lubrication with water and are often inaccessible, meaning Vesconite Hilube’s self-lubricating properties are advantageous. Mc Bride has refurbished
five Aries Wind Vanes since he started repairing this specific component two years ago.
ENGINEER ENDORSEMENT OF BEARINGS He says that engineers who have seen his choice of bearings for the refurbishments have “backed him up 100%.” Several bearings may need to be
replaced during any refurbishment, including those that fit to the cross shaft to which the wind vane is fitted and the top-hat bush that fits to the cross shaft that links to the water paddle below it. These are all exposed to
harsh environmental conditions, including salt water and UV radiation.
Roy McBride carries out a dial gauge test with Vesconite Hilube in the lathe
VESCONITE HILUBE Vesconite Hilube is Vesconite’s flagship bearing material, designed for particularly difficult operating environments, such as moist and underwater applications. These include the pump and marine industry, where
regular maintenance is not practically feasible or cost-effective. The company argues that the
bearing has superior wear life, especially in poorly lubricated and dirty conditions, and that it has been shown to offer up to ten times the life of bronze bushings. The bearings incorporate an
History of bearings
Ancient Bearings: The Ancient Egyptians, known for their Pyramids, Sphinx’s and Pharoah’s are also known for the use of bearings. There’s much speculation that Ancient Egyptians used bearings to build the pyramids.
Middle Ages Much later, polymath and artist, Leonardo Da Vinci included the idea of roller bearings in many of his designs, including the helicopter in 1500 AD.
The Industrial Revolution Bearings played an integral part in the industrial revolution allowing machinery to work more efficiently. The first bearings ‘patent’ was awarded to British inventor Phillip Vaughan from Carmarthen, his modern design incorporated a ball running along a groove in an axle assembly – dubbed a ball bearing.
The War Bearings were a vital part of many of the components of the second world war and many historians argue that ball-bearing factories across Europe were a coveted piece of intelligence.
internal lubricant that translates into an exceptionally low friction coefficient. Combined with good dimensional stability, low wear rates and a high load-bearing capacity they have a PV rating (pressure x velocity) four times that of nylon bushings. Fully saturated, Vesconite Hilube
has a negligible moisture absorption rate (0.5%). Its linear swell rate of 0.07% allows for fine clearances in the majority of applications. By contrast, nylons absorb moisture by as much as 9% of total mass – resulting in high swell rates and critical loss of clearance (which can lead to seizures.)Vesconite is available in a wide range of rods, bushings, plates, and machined custom parts. ●
For more information visit
https://www.vesconite.com/ vesconite-hilube/
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