machinery lubrication

Minimum Loads of Spherical Roller Bearings and Some Lubrication Basics

by Charles Kropewnicki

In my experiences as both a Bearing Applications Engineer and a Reliability Engineer there seems to be a common problem with double row “spherical roller bearings” (SRB) operating well below their minimum load ratings.  This is especially prevalent in overhung fan and blower designs utilizing couplings to transfer power. This issue will usually raise its ugly head in the form of elevated temperature on the coupling side pillow block bearing.  In some cases, due to the overhung load distribution, the coupling side bearing will have a load facing upward or even none at all.  The worst case is when the SRB acts as the fixed bearing and takes a thrust load, despite having little or no radial load.

In any grease lubrication program the hardest thing next to determining the correct grease is determining the frequency and amounts of grease to use. Most original equipment manufacturers supply a simplified chart with appropriate greases, frequency based on general conditions and speeds, and an amount of grease based on the bearing size. Equipment OEMs are a good place to start for this information, but from even one motor manufacturer to another the amount, method and interval can be drastically different for the same type of motor. What about equipment that falls outside the norm or if there is not adequate information from the OEM? The good news is that there are a few devices that when put together can help us take the guess work out of the quantity and timing of greasing tasks.

One of the core components to lean manufacturing is a solid 5S visual management system. It is easier to manage an operation if you can fully understand it, and understanding often comes from being able to "see" what is happening. The 5S visual management system is designed to create a visual workplace - an environment that is self-explaining, self-ordering, and self-improving. The 5S system consists of five elements.

Focusing on In-Situ Filtration and Filtration of Stored Lubricants

by Paul Dufresne, CLS, CMRP

In the current global economic market companies are trying to find new and innovative ways to reinvent themselves to run more efficiently and increase production while minimizing equipment downtime.  Now more than ever, plant managers, and maintenance and reliability leaders are looking for ways to improve equipment reliability, optimize maintenance and reduce energy consumption.