WI212 Improving Bearing Reliability in Conveyors
Bulk conveyors often endure harsh operating conditions that challenge component reliability. These conditions range from heavy loads, to hot, cold, wet, dry, dusty, and dirty environments. Also, lubrication issues and poor installation practices, all of which can significantly reduce service life for bearings and other components. This course provides information for the successful installation and maintenance of rolling element bearings and housings on conveyor pulley assemblies.
Description
Overview of conveyor pulley maintenance
• Conveyor fundamentals
• Anatomy of a conveyor pulley – bearings, housings, shaft, locking elements,
• Impact of maintenance practices on conveyor pulleys
• Bearing operating characteristics
• Typical bearing and housing configurations
• Common conveyor bearing problems and implications - contamination, lubrication issues, incorrect mounting, cross location etc.
Bearing arrangements used on conveyor pulleys
• Bearing types and designations
• Housing types and components
• Seal types
• Adapter sleeves
Teardown and bearing dismounting
• Dismounting methods
• Shaft and housing clean-up
Tolerances – shaft and housing bores
• Fits and tolerances
Mounting bearings with tapered bores
• Mounting methods - locknut tightening angle
• Mounting methods - clearance reduction
• Mounting methods - axial drive-up
• Mounting methods - SKF Drive-up
Housing assembly and lubrication
• Housing assembly procedures
• Introduction to grease lubrication
Pulley installation
• Alignment
• Re-lubrication methods
• Cross location
• In-situ bearing mounting
Introduction to bearing damage analysis
• Failure modes – ISO classification
Practical Workshop
The hands-on session will provide an understanding of the correct assembly and maintenance aspects of a typical conveyor housing arrangement. Students will learn proper handling and installation techniques, methods, and practices to minimise the opportunity for premature bearing failures:
• Where and how to measure a shaft and housing for conformance.
• How to correctly install both taconite and SKF Kobra seals.
• Various bearing fitting techniques applicable to open and sealed bearings with adapter sleeves.
• How to correctly lubricate, seal and assemble the housings and seals.
• How to check alignment of the housing and seals arrangements.
• Correct way to set up lubrication to open or closed housings.