Splitting means improvement
In many applications, the spherical roller bearing is mounted on the shaft in such a complex fashion that it is also necessary to remove all the adjacent components in order for it to be replaced. This leads to long downtimes and complex additional tasks such as the removal of gears, clutches, and drive units. Extra costs are also incurred for additional replacement parts, tools, personnel, and even crane rental. When the split bearing version is used, most of these process steps are no longer required and the associated additional costs no longer arise. Mounting and dismounting can be carried out significantly faster and are simplified, especially in bearing positions that are difficult to access. Schaeffler offers split spherical roller bearings for shaft diameters ranging from 55 mm to 630 mm. In most cases, the outside diameter, the outer ring width, and the diameter of the shaft seat match the dimensions of the standard spherical roller bearings, including the adapter sleeve, so the bearings are interchangeable without any problems.
Application example: Installation of a split spherical roller bearing on the exhaust gas fan of a chemical plant
The spherical roller bearing in the exhaust gas fan of a chemical plant, which had an outside diameter of 230 mm, was in need of replacement. In the past, this application employed unsplit bearings that caused a downtime of 14 hours and generated costs of approximately 280,000 euros every time a bearing replacement was carried out. In addition to the immense outlay for the production stoppage, this included the costs for personnel, additional outlay for the alignment of the shaft, crane rental, and a further replacement bearing. With the FAG split spherical roller bearing, the downtime was only three hours and the overall costs 60,000 euros. The additional alignment, the crane rental, and the further replacement bearing were not required. The customer saved around 220,000 euros by using the split bearing.
Schaeffler Industrial Aftermarket
Schaeffler Industrial Aftermarket (IAM) is responsible for the replacement parts and service business for end customers and sales partners in all major industrial sectors. IAM reduces maintenance and operating costs, increases machine availability, and thus boosts its customers' business success through comprehensive, innovative solutions, products, and services for rolling and plain bearings, as well as by consistently applying the total cost of ownership philosophy (TCO). Schaeffler AG has approximately 76,000 employees at over 180 locations worldwide, generates group sales of around 11.1 billion euros (FY 2012), and ranks among the world's leading rolling bearing manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry.