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FEATURE
BEARINGS
HOW BEARINGS CAN MEET THE DEMANDS OF
AGRICULTURE 4.0
Speciality bearings are an essential component in Agriculture 4.0, as Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings, explains
and competitiveness’, stated the European Commission (EC). In fact according to the EC, everything from artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, to the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G, will all ‘offer invaluable support for farmers and agribusinesses’. Reflecting this, Forbes has said: ‘[The]
‘
autonomous-farming industry is beginning to boom, with approximately 200 AI-based agricultural startups in the US alone’. The Forbes report cites ‘self-driving tractors and combine harvesters, robot swarms for crop inspection and autonomous sprayers’ as being among key Industry 4.0 technologies that will revolutionise farming, or ‘Agriculture 4.0’. These technologies can converge with smart actuators, intelligent sensors, electric motors and alternative drive systems.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE AI can help optimise crop management thanks to real-time data analysis from intelligent sensors. This data can then guide smart actuators, which produce a motion by converting energy and signals going into a system like an autonomous sprayer. The actuators can control the height or angle of the crop sprayer, positioning the nozzle to work more effectively. Another example would be an electric
motor controlled by a variable speed drive (VSD). The motor’s performance can be guided by AI algorithms to optimise its performance and energy consumption, again based on real-time data. These processes are being referred to as
‘precision agriculture’, where automated Agriculture 4.0 devices operate more effectively and accurately based on a hotbed of real-time data. Essential variables like soil conditions, crop health and other environmental factors can be monitored to optimise yield, resource efficiency and sustainability. Moreover, this data management and remote control of equipment can be accelerated by high-speed 5G connections, enabling farmers to make faster and more valuable decisions.
36 DESIGN SOLUTIONS MAY 2024
The digitalisation of the European agricultural sector has the potential to revolutionise the industry, promoting efficiency, sustainability
Higher demands are, however, also being
placed on equipment – self-driving tractors, for example, still require ongoing maintenance. The onus is on maintenance engineers to guarantee high quality equipment, in order that modern farmers can stay competitive and get the most from Agriculture 4.0.
AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT This brings us to an essential component in Agriculture 4.0, which the latest technologies like smart actuators, intelligent sensors and alternative drive systems all rely upon: speciality bearings. Bearings are essential for providing smooth
and precise linear motion in smart actuators. They support the movement of the actuator shaft or rod, ensuring minimal friction and efficient operation. Bearings distribute the loads applied to the actuator evenly, which prevents excessive wear and facilitates consistent performance. This is especially important in applications where precise force and
positioning are required. In electric motors, bearings support the
rotor and shaft, allowing them to rotate with minimal friction. This is crucial for the efficient and reliable operation of the motor. Bearings handle both axial and radial loads in electric motors, ensuring stability and smooth rotation. This is particularly important in high-speed Agriculture 4.0 applications where precise control is necessary. Speciality bearings can also help maintain the alignment of Industry 4.0 sensor components for more accurate data collection, which is especially useful to today’s farmers. Smart bearings with built-in sensors – which gained popularity in automotive anti- lock braking systems (ABS) – are now being
increasingly adopted by industry. Smart bearings can be affixed to Agriculture 4.0 technologies to gather various data, including measuring force and torque measurements, or external factors like weather conditions, crop characteristics and more.
But which speciality bearings should engineers choose for faster, more precise Agriculture 4.0 tasks?
MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS Engineers should consider non-conductive bearings that resist corrosion and can withstand damp outdoor farming conditions. The bearings also need to have an extended lifespan to significantly cut down on the maintenance of precision agriculture equipment. Plastic bearings are
less suited to this environment as they tend to wear down quickly. Instead, ceramic bearings are a more durable option due to their non-conductive
properties and the material’s stiffness. Both the rings and balls are
entirely made from ceramic, and are not to be confused with hybrid bearings, which have steel rings and ceramic balls. Various types of ceramics are worth
considering for precision farming applications. Zirconia is a popular option because of its high density and wide temperature range. Moreover,
full ceramic bearings in zirconium oxide (ZrO2) typically handle 65 to 75% of the load of a steel bearing, which is crucial for heavyweight farming machinery. Unlike plastic bearings, full ceramic ones need minimal upkeep, resulting in much longer intervals between replacements.
SMB Bearings
T: 01993 842555
www.smbbearings.com
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