The ever-present abrasive dust in cement plants means that the life of engine and equipment bearings is notoriously short due to ingress of particles, causing lubricant contamination and wear damage. The ever-present abrasive dust in cement plants means that the life of engine and equipment bearings is notoriously short due to ingress of particles, causing lubricant contamination and wear damage.
Over time, it was discovered that the total life cycle of the original equipment white metal bearings in their raw motor drives was becoming deficient and a solution was found with long-lasting, low-maintenance split roller bearings.
Grease-lubricated solid spherical roller bearings were initially considered; By using simple grease lubrication instead of oil recirculation systems, significant reductions in maintenance costs can be achieved. However, in the event of bearing failure, the replacement cycle would still involve significant downtime as the drive shaft would have to be decoupled from the grinding mill drive and elevated to allow for bearing replacement.
Unlike solid bearings, these roller bearings are completely split on the shaft; a design that simplifies and speeds installation and significantly reduces downtime costs compared to replacing similarly sized solid bearings. Split bearings allow the shaft to be supported by the lower bearing section, while the upper housing section and outer bearing race can be removed, making bearing inspection quick and easy without the need to disconnect drives or lift the bearing. tree. This inherent characteristic is especially valuable for large rotating machines, where weight and size can be a barrier to quick and effective maintenance.
