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FEATURE BEARINGS, SEALS & GASKETS


Bearings may be subject to frequent washdowns


Bearing in the Mind the challenges of the food & drink sector


Alan Stewart, Brammer Buck & Hickman bearing product


manager, guides us through the top three


challenges faced in the food & drink sector and how to ensure your bearings meet them


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earings used in the food and drink sector are subject to some of the most demanding environments. Not only are


they required to perform across a wide range of temperatures, but they will be subject to frequent washdowns, and be guided by ever more stringent regulations. Cost is a further consideration. As with any component specified, the bearings


will be required to provide long, trouble-free, performance. To maximise lifetime expectancy, the bearing must be correctly installed, lubricated and maintained. It is also vitally important to select the correct bearing for the application which, in the food and drink sector, is constrained because of the tough conditions and requires careful consideration. So let’s take a look at the top three challenges faced in this sector and suitable bearing options to meet those challenges.


Food SaFety


With contamination prevention a top priority, there are three important aspects to focus on when it comes to contamination prevention in bearings. The first is to opt for a bearing unit


that has been designed with hygienic housing geometry to reduce potential contamination traps. The back seal should seal statically against the housing and dynamically against the shaft, and the end cover should fully seal against the housing on the front side, preventing process material from entering the bearing. The second is to ensure seals are


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manufactured from food safe sealing materials and are coloured blue for optical detectability, complying with FDA and EC recommendations. The third is your lubrication strategy. Use high-


quality food safe lubricants that are NSF, Halal, Kosher and CFIA approved. Greases that are free from allergens as listed by the EC are also very important. Where there is potential for incidental food contact, NSF category H1 lubricants are essential. Applying the correct amount of lubrication, at the right time, is also key so consider replacing manual lubrication with automatic lubrication systems or opt for relubrication free bearings.


CoSt Control


When it comes to understanding the cost of bearings, the total cost of ownership (TCO) needs to be taken into consideration. This includes the unit purchase price, but also other factors. Whilst energy usage per bearing is very small,


the large numbers of bearings in use mean that even small reductions have the potential to make a positive impact. The key to reducing energy consumption in the bearing is through reducing friction, so look for bearing units that focus on this. You also need to take into account the energy expended in cleaning bearings. Consider swapping from open bearing units to re- lubrication free sealed units to reduce this cost. Relubrication requirements impact on TCO, not


only in terms of the cost of the lubricant but also machinery downtime to relubricate the bearings. Swap to relubrication-free bearings to avoid this. For a more specialist solution, if you are operating commercial fryers, consider using SKF Fryer Bearing Units which use the hot cooking oil inside the fryer to enter the bearing and act as a lubricant – essentially free lubrication!


to lubrication-free bearings, will overcome this particular challenge. Washdown can also reduce the lifetime of a


bearing unit. Use sealed rather than open bearing units to reduce the damage water and detergent can do to a bearing. You can also invest in bearings with specialised sealing systems, such as SKF’s sealing system featuring internal gutters to guide detergent away from the bearing in order to achieve high levels of performance.


SuStainability


Reduce water and detergent usage in washdown, plus bearing grease contaminated waste water, by using sealed, relubrication-free bearings such as SKF’s Food Line ball bearing units – Blue Range – which require 33% less heated water for cleaning when compared to open bearing units. When it comes to bearings and GHG


emissions, CO2 is the main issue. CO2 is generated in the manufacture of the bearing,


in its energy consumption when operational, and in its disposal. By investing in good quality bearings that are specifically made for use in the food and drink sector, greater longevity can be expected from the product. In addition, check to see if your bearings can be recycled.


SKF’s Food Line ball bearing units 4 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MAY 2022


Brammer Buck & Hickman https://uk.rubix.com/supplier/skf/ foodandbeverage


Planned downtime for relubrication has a


cost implication, but unplanned downtime has a far higher cost. Unplanned downtime attributable to bearings is mostly down to early bearing failure, with 50% in the food and drink sector resulting from a lubrication issue. Using automated lubrication systems, or swapping


Seals must be made from food safe materials


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