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BEARINGS, SEALS & GASKETS
FEATURE
REMANUFACTURING: A SUSTAINABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO NEW BEARINGS
Chris Johnson, managing director at bearing relubrication specialist SMB Bearings, examines how remanufactured bearings can offer a cost-effective, environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to buying new bearings
specifications – is gaining in popularity. According to SKF, it reduces the amount of raw material needed by around 62%, and creates 70% less waste. This is because making a new bearing from scratch involves more than 100 separate processes. In remanufacturing, this is cut to under ten. This is therefore a cost effective and environmentally friendly way to buy bearings. Bearings with more than 30% of their
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remaining service life can be remanufactured, and they can use a combination of reused, repaired and new parts. The remanufacturing process involves several steps including inspection, reclassification, refurbishment, and remanufacturing.
INSPECTION & RECLASSIFICATION First, the bearing is inspected thoroughly and compared with the initial specification drawing. It is then disassembled, cleaned and degreased.
earing remanufacturing – rebuilding a used bearing to meet or exceed the original manufactured product’s
After a visual inspection, microscopic inspection, dimensional inspection and testing will occur, which will result in a detailed analysis report that details recommendations for appropriate refurbishment and remanufacturing processes. Reclassification services – which encompass
minor repair, demagnetisation, dynamic testing, relubrication, reassembly, and packaging for the bearing’s return to the industry – then occur. If further intervention is needed, then
refurbishment might be necessary. This step will include the previous actions in addition to one or more of the following: replacing rolling elements or components like seals and snap rings, remanufacturing the bearing’s cage, plating mounting surfaces or polishing the bearing’s raceways. Finally, the component is altered by grinding,
installing a new ring and modifying it. At this point, engineers have the option to enhance the performance or characteristics of the initial bearing, which can lead to increased operational efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements in the future. Upgrades may include the addition of features such as black oxidation, or the incorporation of extra sensor functions for condition monitoring.
LARGE BEARINGS Smaller bearings may not be cost-effective to remanufacture, partly due to the cost of disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, and reassembling
them, but also because the amount of wear and damage that can be repaired may be limited. Remanufacturing larger bearings,
on the other hand, offers a favourable
cost-benefit depending on their condition, complexity, price and application. Large bearings – such as spherical roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings, tapered roller bearings, caster bearings and slewing bearings – are good candidates for remanufacturing. For example, if a large industrial bearing in a pumping system fails unexpectedly before the end of its service life, remanufacturing could increase the life cycle of the bearing by more than 50%, and provide up to 60% savings compared to the cost of a new bearing. Relubrication services, such as those offered by SMB Bearings, can extend a bearing’s service life and improve operational performance at an affordable price. Indeed, relubrication is crucial if you intend to repurpose old-yet-healthy bearings for a different application. By doing so, businesses can save money as opposed to repeatedly purchasing new bearings, which makes it a smart and efficient form of recycling. Furthermore, remanufacturing can also reduce lead times significantly.
ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY Bearing remanufacturing reduces the unwanted use of natural resources and the disposal of components when they become damaged or fail. Remanufacturing feeds into the circular economy model by recovering and regenerating products and materials, unlike the traditional make- use-dispose industrial model. The energy requirement for remanufacturing is also as low as 90% when compared to the production of a new bearing, which minimises the need for new raw materials and offers quicker manufacturing turnaround times. It can also help reduce the carbon footprint associated with producing new bearings. Remanufacturing can also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation, as such bearings can often be sourced locally rather than being shipped from other locations.
SMB Bearings
T: 01993 842555
www.smbbearings.com
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 37
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