Automation Parts

A technical white paper that provides engineers with advice and guidance on the condition monitoring of rolling bearings is now available from Schaeffler. The paper, entitled 'The Role of Vibration Monitoring in Predictive Maintenance', was written by Dr Steve Lacey, engineering manager at Schaeffler (UK). As companies downsize and look to reduce costs, maintenance can often become a casualty. However, as equipment and machinery becomes more complex and automated, the need to have a properly structured and funded maintenance strategy is more important than ever. Undertaking thorough risk assessments across the business can help companies identify how critical existing machines are to their overall operation, which helps to determine the potential return on investment of a properly funded maintenance strategy. 'Rolling bearings are a critical component used extensively in rotating equipment and machinery,' said Lacey. 'When they fail unexpectedly, this can resul...

Schaeffler Offers Compact FAG Wheel Bearings The Schaeffler Group's range of FAG wheel bearings is more compact, lighter and offers simplified mounting via a self-centring, axial spur-gear teeth design. A reduction in weight of 10 per cent typically amounts to an overall weight reduction of around 1kg for a four-wheel vehicle. The FAG wheel bearing has a spur-gear teeth design, in which the wheel bearing and axle journal are connected axially rather than radially. This has resulted in a bearing module that is lighter and can be mounted clearance free. Driving characteristics are therefore improved and automotive manufacturers benefit from a simple mounting process and the associated cost reductions. The new FAG wheel bearing with spur-gear teeth is better equipped to deal with the loads that occur during vehicle operation. The spur-gear teeth ensure positive connection between the wheel bearing carrier and the input shaft, which simplifies mounting. The self-centring axial-ge...