Complimentary White Papers Bearing Failures - Causes and Cures Bearings rarely wear out, yet they do fail. Careful analysis of bearing condition and failure modes can provide insight into the causes of failure and how to correct them. This article series examines the common causes of bearing failure, and recommends ways to avoid failure in the future. Most bearing failures can be prevented. Typically, the causes of bearing failure can be traced to: Controlled Thermal Movement Aids Coupling Alignment Shaft alignment is a critical component in keeping a coupling aligned. While most couplings can tolerate some misalignment, they operate much more efficiently and with much longer service lives when simple precautions and procedures are in place. One area of potential misalignment – yet one that is fairly simple to address – is that of thermal movement. Heat buildup from the friction generated by moving parts can cause machinery to expand which, in turn, can adversely affect shaft alignment. As Oil Prices Rise, are Profits Leaking from your Hydraulic System? Here’s a challenge for plant managers: Have your purchasing department total how much you’ve spent on hydraulic fluid in the last six months to a year. No matter what the total, odds are good it’s more than you should have spent. Barring the installation of a new hydraulic system, you should have little need for new hydraulic fluid. Radial Shaft Seals Want to go a long way toward preventing those excess costs associated with seal failure? Understanding and improving seal system performance starts with a thorough understanding of seal composition, operation, and maintenance. Filtration: It's the Little Things that Get You Controlling contamination is essential for any successful fluid power system — but do you know where your dirt is coming from? Troubleshooting Fluid Power Systems: A Blend of Art and Science Pencil and paper are more effective than a full toolbox in fixing fluid power system problems. One of the worst sounds in an industrial setting is a fluid power system with serious problems. Even worse is the eerie silence when everything shuts down due to a failure. Learn more about how to properly troubleshoot your fluid power system. Discover the History of Chain Did you know that chain dates back as early as c. 2500 BC? Learn more about the evolution of chain and how far it's come. You'll also learn more about types of chain, choosing the correct style and chain performance. Plant Shutdown Tips Many facilities shut down when the weather gets too cold to work or during the annual slow season. But an operation cannot simply turn off the machinery and hibernate for the shutdown period. Here are 10 tips on how to prepare equipment for its seasonal "vacation" to ensure that it will run reliably on restart. |