How to increase uptime and cut costs with split spherical roller bearings from Schaeffler

Split spherical roller bearings from Schaeffler increase uptime and reduce costs

If your machines aren’t running, you’re not making money. This is especially true when it comes time to repair or overhaul your machinery, as these tasks often result in costly production downtime while your equipment is offline.

Bearing replacement is typically an integral part of these unavoidable yet costly activities. Moreover, replacing standard spherical roller bearings can be a complicated procedure that involves removing gears or couplings, taking off drives and gearboxes, cutting off the old bearing and, frequently, stripping the line shafting. This can be especially time-consuming when mounting space is scarce.

Schaeffler suggests converting to split spherical roller bearings is one alternative that can significantly reduce maintenance downtime. Split spherical roller bearings include inner ring, outer ring and cage assemblies that are split into halves and held together by bolts. These bearings typically offer high load-carrying capability and compensate for dynamic misalignment. Additionally, the internal designs of split bearings meet the same stringent requirements as traditional solid bearings that ensures the same level of reliability.

Operators can also expect to spend less time when it comes time to remove and replace split spherical roller bearings. Consider the typical steps involved in replacing traditional solid spherical roller bearings:

1. Remove housing cover.
2. Support shaft assembly.
3. Disconnect drive components.
4. Remove shaft assembly from housings.
5. Remove drive components from shaft.
6. Remove and replace bearings.
7. Mount drive components.
8. Mount shaft assembly in housings.
9. Connect drive components.
10. Secure housing cover.

Here is the process for removing and replacing split spherical roller bearings:

1. Remove housing cover.
2. Support shaft assembly.
3. Remove and replace bearings.
4. Secure housing cover.

Top right: FAG split spherical roller bearing from Schaeffler. Bottom: Exploded view of a Schaeffler split spherical roller bearing. (Photo: Schaeffler)Split spherical roller bearings are also useful when several bearings are used to support a complex driveshaft, or when the bearing is hard to access. Moreover, no longer having to disassemble and remove heavy components may eliminate the need for cranes and other expensive lifting equipment, which can reduce companies’ risk and potential exposure to liability.

As a split spherical roller bearing is a unique precision product, to ensure proper operation, it must be clamped onto a clean, uniform shaft that is within the specified tolerance limits and adequately lubricated. The inner and outer ring halves and roller assemblies are not interchangeable with other bearings. Consequently, they must be matched according to the markings on the rings during installation.

When you consider the potentially enormous productivity gains and cost savings realized through reduced downtime, split spherical roller bearings can quickly pay for themselves – many times over.

Download Schaeffler’s split spherical roller bearings product guide.

View split spherical roller bearings from Schaeffler at motionindustries.com.

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Motion Industries is a distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Co.

Learn more about the industrial solutions company here.