food & beverage When it comes to lubrication, first and


foremost you must ensure you are using 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. The exact type of lubricant will depend on the immediate environment and process in which the bearing is being used. 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 the next major consideration. Re-lubrication to purge often takes place after each washdown in the knowledge that cleaning media and rinsing water might have penetrated the bearing seals. You require sufficient lubricant for the bearing to perform to its best capacity, but not so much that it risks contaminating the product or dripping on to the floor where it becomes a potential slip hazard. Rather than manual lubrication, consider the


use of automatic lubrication systems, which deliver accurate lubricant quantities for increased HACCP compliance. However, for the ultimate safety solution when it comes to lubrication in the food and drink industry opt for relubrication free bearings, which dramatically reduces the risk of potential food contamination both from the lubricant itself and from bacteria growing on the lubricant.


Cost Control


When it comes to understanding the cost of bearings, the total cost of ownership (TCO) needs to be taken into consideration. TCO includes the unit purchase price, but also a number of other factors. With rising energy prices, anything that


reduces energy consumption is to be welcomed. Whist 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 the downtime, as machinery typically needs to be switched off to relubricate the bearings. Planned downtime of this nature can be removed by choosing relubrication-free bearings, which also leads to labour cost savings. 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! Planned downtime for relubrication has a


cost implication, but it’s at least one that is controlled and factored in. Unplanned downtime has a far higher cost all round. Unplanned downtime attributable to bearings is mostly down to early bearing failure,


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with 50 per cent in the food and drink sector resulting from a lubrication issue. Using automated lubrication systems, or swapping 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 to achieve high levels of performance.


sustainability


Being in such widespread use throughout industry and also being one of the most frequently replaced components, the sustainability of the bearings you use


matters. But what makes a bearing sustainable? Reducing water usage in the food and drink


sector is a major issue and also applies to bearings when it comes to washdown where large quantities of water and detergents are used. The waste water from this cleaning is often contaminated from excess bearing grease. This can be reduced by using sealed, re- lubrication free bearings such as SKF’s Food Line ball bearing units – Blue Range, which require 33 per cent less heated water for cleaning when compared to open bearing units. Furthermore, there is no lubricant to contaminate the waste water, plus no cleaning rags and paper towels to dispose of. 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. Also check to see if your bearing can be recycled.


Rubix uk.rubix.com


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