Precision bearing supplier Schaeffler has launched an online, interactive information guide on how to correctly install rolling bearings and the tools required to do this.

The correct mounting and dismounting of rolling element bearings can save time and dramatically increase the life of bearings, as well as maximising the availability of critical plant and machinery by avoiding costly breakdowns. The key is to ensure that the appropriate tools and equipment for the mounting and dismounting of rolling bearings are on hand for the engineer at the installation or assembly stage. Appropriate tools may include thermal mounting and dismounting tools (i.e. heating plates), induction-heating devices, mounting paste and heating rings, as well as feeler gauges, hydraulic extractors, hydraulic nuts and hand pump sets. Using the correct tools ensures that bearings are mounted and removed easily and quickly without causing damage to the bearings or surrounding equipment and in a safe and reliable way.

The new Schaeffler Mounting Toolbox is a web-based information guide on how to professionally install rolling bearings. As well as learning about which tools and fitting aids are required to install rolling bearings, users can also view short educational videos that demonstrate how these tools should be used in practise.

Ball valves, utilising a drilled-through ball rotating in a retaining socket, are widely used for process line control operations within industry. Typical areas of application for these valves include oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation together with pulp and paper industries among many others.

Ball valves offer both flow throttling and full shut-off conditions, while applications can involve an extensive range of pressures, temperatures and even the use of chemically aggressive fluids. The importance of specifying the right sealing products for use within these valves becomes paramount, particularly where breakdowns or plant shutdowns caused through valve failure can be catastrophic.

Kalrez 0090 perfluoroelastomer O-ring seal products from DuPont Performance Polymers are now available from the UK sealing specialists Dichtomatik Ltd. These products have been developed by DuPont to provide outstanding resistance to rapid gas decompression (RGD) combined with broad chemical resistance, as experienced in the harsh environments of the oil and gas industries. As an official authorised distributor of DuPont Kalrez products, Dichtomatik provide a first class service and can also offer full technical support for customers experiencing sealing problems involving extreme temperature or pressure conditions combined with aggressive fluids.
 
DuPont products have an established reputation for delivering durable and reliable sealing solutions for both downhole and surface-level equipment such as packers, pumps and valves as well as many general chemical handling and processing applications. Kalrez 0090 has achieved the highest ‘0000’ rating in the NORSOK M-710 Rev 2 tests recently conducted in the UK by the independent Materials Engineering Research Laboratory (MERL). It was established that Kalrez 0090 has outstanding resistance to RGD, with no cracks or blisters having developed on the O-ring sections throughout the test cycling.
 
In addition to finished O-rings,  Kalrez 0090 can be supplied in the form of flat washers, discs, cords or special mouldings for all applications that require the highest  ‘0000’ rating for RGD resistance. Additional  properties that ensure superior performance include high resistance to chemical attack from more than 1,800 chemicals and solvents, especially sour multi-phase fluids containing H2S (as shown by the external NORSOK M-710 Rev 2 Sour Fluid ageing resistance certification provided by MERL-UK). High-temperature resistance up to 250°C (482°F) is maintained with high levels of elasticity and recovery even after long-term exposure. High modulus at low elongation properties also ensure excellent extrusion resistance.
 

The Schaeffler Group has developed new rolling bearings for tractors and graders, which enable greater drive train efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.

Tractors and graders require high drive power and operate at high speeds. As well as providing operational reliability under every conceivable load or speed condition, design engineers are now looking to develop more environmentally friendly machines with reduced fuel consumption and more energy efficient drive trains.

Many of the latest tractors offer more than 100kW drive power, with some achieving road speeds of up to 80km/h. Most graders operate under full load at speeds of up to 40km/h. The high drive power required for these types of applications is transmitted via the gearbox and differential. Therefore, significant fuel savings can be achieved by focusing on improving the efficiency of these two key drive train systems.    
 

By working closely with a manufacturer of hydraulic pumps and motors, The Schaeffler Group has optimised a number of bearings used in Sauer-Danfoss’ newly developed H1 series of axial piston pumps and motors.

As a result of the new optimised X-life cylindrical and tapered rolling bearings, overall efficiencies of the H1 pumps and H1 motors have increased by around 2 per cent, resulting in significant improvements in energy efficiency levels across the H1 range.