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FEATURE BEARINGS, SEALS & GASKETS tough...


going gets


when the


Bearings are one of the most often


replaced components in all industries, but even more so in construction and


aggregates due to the exceptionally harsh operating conditions. Alan


Stewart, Rubix bearing product manager –


SKF Products, explains how to maximise their life expectancy


C


onstruction and aggregates sites are notoriously wet and dusty and are often impacted by extreme temperatures.


Furthermore, the machinery and vehicles in operation are heavy duty, placing substantial loads on to the bearing units. With open bearings


quickly becoming damaged from ingress of dirt, the use of proper sealing solutions – such as sealed bearings and shaft seals – is essential. Sealed bearing units are initially lubricated and


then sealed, preventing dirt from entering and mixing with the lubricant. For such a sector, specialist sealing solutions have been developed, including SKF’s Three-Barrier Solution which consists of a sealed spherical roller bearing,


8 bearing units.


health & safety The main cause of casualties in the construction and aggregates industries occurs during maintenance and repairs, with maintenance on conveyors being one of the major culprits. Every time a piece of equipment fails, safety is compromised. Using optimised bearings,


3 DESIGN SOLUTIONS DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023


bearing housing with labyrinth S seals and a specially formulated lubricant to act as a contamination barrier. The barriers protect the bearing from contaminants, leading to extended bearing service life on average three times longer than standard open bearings. This is particularly well suited to conveyor systems. To function in applications where heavy loads


are the norm, you want a bearing that is both hard and tough. It is also important to consider both axial and radial loads when choosing your bearings. Double row tapered roller bearings are a good option as they accommodate combined loads and can locate a shaft axially in both directions with a precise axial clearance or preload.


Remote locations


Remote locations can make next day part delivery doubtful, so ensuring maximum bearing life to minimise costly downtime is essential. This means using product that is fit for purpose – and this applies to the bearing itself, plus sleeves, housings, seals, and transmission products. Ineffective lubrication represents over half of


all bearing failures. We therefore recommend having a lubrication strategy in place. Alternatively,


consider the use of


single point or multi- point automatic lubrication systems which will safely apply the correct amount of lubricant, regardless of where the site is located. A further option is to simply


avoid relubrication issues altogether by opting for sealed


sleeves, housings and seals can improve machine reliability and ease of assembly and disassembly. SKF ConCentra Roller Bearing Units (ideal for conveyors), for example, come ‘shaft-ready’, i.e., they simply slide onto the shaft and are locked into place by tightening the screws.


sustainability


Poor bearing performance can directly affect energy usage. Although the amount of energy per bearing is relatively small, when you consider how many bearings are used in machinery on a given site, it starts to mount up. Choosing the right product makes for a more energy efficient approach, including those that have lower operating temperatures and vibration levels. Ensuring product is correctly fitted also


has a part to play – misalignment can lead to friction and vibration which can significantly increase energy consumption, as well as the risk of premature failures. Look for products that don’t require realignment, such as SKF Cooper Split Spherical Roller Bearings that do not require the drive coupling or the cantilevered drive to be dismounted to replace the bearing. These bearing types are easily and safely replaced in situ. Although bearings may not be the most


expensive part of onsite machinery, they are in widespread use. So, apply the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Reduce the number of replacement bearings


you use by using good quality bearings that have been designed to both do the job at hand and operate in the appropriate environment. When it comes to Reuse, some manufacturers


offer a remanufacture service which can significantly prolong bearing service life, as well as reduce cost and lead times. Bearing remanufacturing can significantly reduce carbon emissions, consuming around 10% of the energy of making a new one. Recycle bearings at end of life. Not every


part of a bearing can be recycled and not every manufacturer can do this. Check to see if your supplier offers this service.


Rubix uk.rubix.com/supplier/skf/ constructionandaggregates


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