Preserve Your Bronze Bearings With These 3 Tips

Blog

If you are like most people, you use bronze bearings in your industrial shop but don't think about them much until they fail. You can save yourself money and avoid delays in your shop if you keep your bearings in good shape, so use the following tips to preserve your bronze bearings.

Use the Right Bearings

The first thing to do is to ensure that you're using the type of bearings. Some common bearings types include:

  • Spherical rolling bearings--for moderate thrust and heavy radial loads; have a self-aligning feature and are used in HVAC fans
  • Cylindrical roller bearings--for heavy loads, allowing for shaft axial movement
  • Thrust ball bearings--for low-speed applications

Using the wrong kind of bearings can lead to premature wear and tear and more frequent replacement. Consult an application engineer to ensure that the bearings you're using are the right ones for the work you do in your shop.

Keep Your Bearings Lubricated

It is vital that you keep your bearings well-lubricated. Vibrations, heat and contaminants may increase the need for lubrication, so it is important to check on a regular basis. A good lubricant can withstand a variety of temperatures and acts as a barrier against moisture and contaminants.

Just as you have to ensure you're using the right bearings for your application, you have to use the right lubricant for your bearings. Oils are basic lubricants that work for a variety of temperatures and have low volatility. Grease, on the other hand, tends to last longer than oil and typically contains anti-corrosion and anti-oxidant additives for better performance. Solid films are only used in rare cases, such as radiation or vacuum conditions.

Inspect Your Bearings Frequently

It's important to make sure that you are looking at your bearings frequently to ensure they are working properly. Are they mounted in the right way? Are there signs of rust, corrosion, cracking or other problems? Are there marks or pitting on them? If the bearings don't look right to you, make sure you replace them as soon as possible. You may want to keep extra bearings in the shop at all times so you can make replacements quickly.

Now that you know some of the things you can do to keep your bearings in good condition, be sure to use the tips in this article and encourage your employees to do the same. Making sure your bearings work well will allow you to continue work without delays, so you can complete projects in a timely manner.

For information, contact a local store like Commercial Hardware.

Share

2 October 2015

Planning a Construction Project Without all the Stress

Planning a large construction project can be stressful as the project leader. As a consultant for large construction companies, I see project planners buckle under pressure all the time – usually because the right support systems and resources are not put into place. It takes more than a good plan to pull together an effective and stress-free construction project. Finding the right service providers, laborers, and plan developers is just as important. This blog was designed to provide those in the construction world with tips and tricks for getting a job done in a straight forward and profitable manner. From project supply ideas to support service options, hopefully you can find some answers to your pressing questions here.