BEARINGS, SEALS & GASKETS FEATURE Lower operating temperatures help
extend lubricant life. Bearings with ceramic balls have been proven to last up to five times longer than conventional steel ball bearings, and systems equipped with ceramic hybrids show higher rigidity and higher natural frequency, making them less sensitive to vibration. Bearing precision also plays a big part
in efficiency and reliability and there is a direct relationship between precision class and bearing life. Those with the highest tolerances offer the highest precision levels and a longer life. Pump manufacturers should therefore look out for bearings classified as at least ISO P4S (ABEC 7) as standard to ensure they deliver the best performance.
Speed to market Manufacturers are under pressure to design and bring their pumps to market as quickly as possible in order to remain competitive – and one way to ensure that the process runs swiftly is to review the length of time taken for bearings to be designed. The industry standard lead time for
specialist precision bearings is between 40 and 60 weeks. However, this time has been drastically cut in half and bespoke bearings can now be delivered
in a little as 20 weeks, enabling pumps to be introduced more quickly. What’s more, this time is expected to be reduced even further, to just 15 weeks for tailored solutions.
Partnership and support Pump manufacturers are increasingly requiring more than just a product. They are ever more in need of a partnership with their suppliers. Pumping systems are complex with many parameters and true partners for the bearing element can deliver full support in calculating and modelling the system. For example, once a bearing enters the qualification stage and is tested it can be returned to the supplier for examination and running evidence of its performance. Leaving the modelling to bearing experts also frees up time for the pump designers to focus on their strengths and day-to-day tasks.
BEARING SPECIFICATION With increased demands for semiconductors and the current economic climate, pumps need to offer efficiency and reliability. Selecting specialist bearings with a longer service life compared to conventional
bearings means pumps such as dry pumps and TMP pumps can operate to their maximum performance levels and over many years. Precision bearings also contribute to
Example of a Barden Corporation vacuum pump bearing
an overall reduction in the total system costs. When calculating the indirect costs of frequent bearing replacement – which include not just inventory, but machine down time, lost productivity and labour – the cost savings potential become significant. Working with bearing experts that can
design bearings with the right geometries to deliver the best performance and speeds for the environmental conditions, as well as deliver quickly, can make all the difference to a manufacturer’s productivity and profitability. Seeking out partners that combine heritage and knowledge with a flexible approach – such as that offered by The Barden Corporation and its partnership with HQW Precision – means pumps can keep running at the right pressure levels time and time again without fail.
The Barden Corporation
www.bardenbearings.co.uk
HQW Precision
www.hqw.gmbh
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