Premature bearing failure can have consequences ranging from costly downtime to catastrophic machine malfunctions. Such issues can be avoided by following the steps outlined below, which will help you keep your operations up and running.
Use Appropriate Bearings
Choosing the right bearing is of course the very first step to avoiding premature bearing failure. Using the wrong bearings greatly increases the chances of the bearing becoming damaged.
Always consider the operating conditions and surrounding environment when selecting the bearings to use. You will also need to consider the size, weight and direction of the load, as well as the operating speed and any possible misalignment experienced by the application.
Make sure to re-evaluate your bearing choice should there be any changes to the conditions mentioned above.
Install Bearings Correctly
There are several methods for installing bearings so make sure you use the one best suited to the application. If the bearing must be fitted with force, then it must be controlled force and not brute force. If it is to be heat installed, then always use a special bearing heater rather than a naked flame, which can weaken the internal structure of the bearing.
There are also excellent bearing fitting toolkits which you can use, or you can simply call upon a bearings supplier like Yorkshire’s YB Components who will be able to advise on the most suitable fitting method for your bearing.
Lubricate According to OEM Instructions
Always know what kind of lubrication each bearing requires according to the original manufacturer’s guidelines. A lot of premature bearing failures are due to incorrect lubrication, be it too much lubricant or too little.
Also make sure the lubricant is suitable for the operational and environmental conditions of the application. High temperatures, for example, can cause lubricants to degrade very quickly if they are not suited to such conditions.
The bearing manufacturer should provide guidelines for lubrication, or again you can contact a bearing supplier like Yorkshire’s YB Components to understand the lubrication quantity and intervals for a particular type of bearing.
Use Suitable Seals
Seals are a vital part of any bearing set-up as they protect the bearing from external contamination. They also help stop the lubricant from leaking out of the bearing.
Contamination in, on and around the bearing is a common cause of premature failure, so always make sure the seals are in decent condition and operating effectively. This is especially important after maintenance and cleaning, such as with a high pressured washer.
Seals also need to be selected according to the operating and environmental conditions such as temperatures.
If you require any bearings, then contact YB Components who are the UK’s leading bearing supplier in Yorkshire who ship out fast and free all over the Uk and the rest of the world.