Page 4 - SKF_Maintenance_and_Lubrication_Products

The SKF Bearing Life Cycle

Help your bearing achieve its maximum service life

Every bearing has a certain service life potential. However, research has shown that, for
various reasons, not every bearing achieves it. Important stages which have a major impact
on a bearing service life can be recognised during the bearing’s lifecycle. These stages are
mounting, lubrication, alignment, basic condition monitoring and dismounting.
The stages in a bearing life cycle are extremely important for achieving the maximum service
life of the bearing. By applying the right maintenance practices and using the correct tools,
you can considerably extend your bearing’s service life and increase plant productivity and
efficiency.

Mounting Lubrication

Includes mechanical fitting tools, Includes bearing greases, manual and
induction heaters and hydraulic automatic lubricators and lubrication
equipment accessories

Mounting is one of the critical stages of the bearing’s lifecycle. If the Correct bearing lubrication is an essential step in reaching the bearing’s
bearing is not mounted properly using the correct method and tools, the service lifetime. It is important to select grease suitable for the bearing’s
bearing’s service lifetime will be reduced. Individual applications may application, and to apply the correct quantity before commissioning the
require mechanical, heat or hydraulic mounting methods for correct bearing. During operation, the bearing will require periodic relubrication.
and efficient bearing mounting. Selecting the correct mounting The right quantity of the right grease applied at the right intervals is
technique for your application will help you extend your bearing’s essential to achieving optimum bearing performance and maximum
service life and reduce costs resulting from premature bearing failure, service life. Using manual relubrication methods is common practice;
as well as potential damage to the application. however, continuous relubrication offers many advantages. Continuous
relubrication can be performed by using automatic lubricators, which
provide a more consistent, correct and contamination-free grease supply.

Alignment Basic condition monitoring

Includes shaft and belt alignment tools Includes temperature, sound, visual
and machinery shims inspection, speed, electrical discharge
and vibration measuring instruments

After the bearing has been mounted in an application such as a motor During operation, it is important to regularly inspect the condition of
connected to a pump, the application should be aligned. If the application the bearing by performing basic condition monitoring measurements.
is not properly aligned, the misalignment can cause the bearing to suffer These regular inspections will allow the detection of potential problems
additional load, friction and vibration. These can accelerate fatigue and and help to prevent unexpected machine stops. Consequently, the
reduce the bearing’s, as well as other machine components, service life. machine maintenance can be planned to suit the production schedule,
Furthermore, increased vibration and friction can significantly increase increasing the plant’s productivity and efficiency.
energy consumption and the risk of premature failures.

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