No matter what the specific application or industry focus, efficiency is key for ensuring optimized operations in industrial facilities. But high efficiency means more than just cutting-edge equipment and comprehensive quality assurance; it also means making use of high-quality, reliable components in all machinery and equipment. Doing whatever it takes to keep the machines running.
Split roller bearings, in particular, offer great versatility and wide-reaching benefits. Allowing for reduced maintenance and fewer replacements than traditional solid roller bearings, split bearings are used in a range of applications to reduce downtime, save on costs, and increase overall safety. Quick and easy to install and replace, these versatile components are essential for any facility requiring consistent operational efficiency. They are available as direct drop in replacements dimensionally to standard SAF Spherical Roller and Cylindrical Roller units with both metric and inch shaft dimensions.
Best-in-class corrosion resistant pillow blocks provide facilities with affordable price points.
THE BASICS OF SPLIT ROLLER BEARINGS
These components are typically used in applications requiring the use of bearings in difficult-to-reach places along a line shaft; split bearings have a split-to-the-shaft feature, which allows them to be fitted without access to the shaft ends. This, in turn, allows for convenient, safe assembly around the shafts, reducing overall downtime and labor needs.
Because split bearings are delivered in two halves, they are very easy to install, inspect, and replace. In fact, split bearings can often provide a 90 percent reduction in fitting time. Offering the standard features of solid roller bearings but with the convenience of easy assembly around a shaft—and without the need for costly special designs or tooling—split bearings serve as versatile solutions in many types of facilities.
COMMON SPLIT ROLLER BEARING APPLICATIONS
Although split bearings are used in a wide range of applications, they’re particularly useful for bulk handling activities. Chemical and food processing, for example, make frequent use of split bearings. Iron and steel manufacturing sectors also rely heavily on split roller bearings, as do the oil, petrochemical, marine, and power generation sectors.
These components are used in various other fields as well, such as water treatment and pulp, paper, and sugar processing. Virtually any industry can benefit from the convenience offered by these components.
The Craft Split Roller pillow block allows for rapid replacement which reduces downtime and minimizes costs. Polymer lubes are also recommended to increase bearing life.
THE ADVANTAGES OF SPLIT BEARINGS
In many cases, working with split bearings is an obvious choice. They reduce operational costs, allowing for significant cost savings; they reduce the downtime required for moving equipment or changing bearings; and they free up personnel and resources, allowing for increased focus on other important tasks.
Split bearings’ single-piece cage clip design enables accurate cage alignment and simple installation. They can be designed with a wide range of standard supports and housings, and feature high radial load and speed capabilities. These versatile components also allow for flexible sealing, self-alignment options, and easy interchangeability between different brands’ designs. And during bearing inspections or maintenance, equipment can be maintained without the need to accommodate different bearing types, couplings, gears, and so on.
Assembly is also simple; equipment and machinery don’t need to be disrupted, and markings are included in all split bearing designs to assist with part positioning and orientation.
About the author:
Mike Quinn can be reached at mquinn@emersonbearing.com. As an industry-leading provider of various types of bearings, Emerson is proud to offer split bearings from trusted brands including Timken Revolvo, Craft, and F.A.G. To learn more about split roller bearings or discuss how they can benefit your overall facility efficiency and safety, visit the Emerson technical blog at www.emersonbearing.com.
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MODERN PUMPING TODAY, May 2018
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