BEARING: RE-ENGINEEEING EFFICIENCY
As heavy and construction machinery are used in harsh climates, bearings are exposed to extreme operating conditions, resulting in corrosion, longer downtime for the machinery and higher maintenance cost. Equipment Times seeks to understand the technological advancements achieved in the
As heavy and construction machinery are used in harsh climates, bearings are exposed to extreme operating conditions, resulting in corrosion, longer downtime for the machinery and higher maintenance cost. Equipment Times seeks to understand the technological advancements achieved in the segment and how it has improved efficiency.
Termed as the “bread and butter” of the machine industry, bearings are a tiny mechanical part but very crucial for the efficient operation of any equipment. Bearings are essential in almost all applications which involve motion. Bearings not only help in reducing friction between different mechanical parts, but also increases the life of the machinery and help achieve energy efficiency.
While bearings are a critical part in each application, for heavy and construction equipment, bearings play a very crucial role considering the capital intensive nature of these machines. From wheel loaders to road rollers, all types of heavy machines are exposed to extreme complex conditions and uses on difficult terrains. Also, operators have to comply with strict environmental standards, control costs, and improve machine performance and reduce downtime. Therefore, it becomes pertinent that these machines work effectively under harsh operating conditions.
OEMs are also increasingly adopting technology to upgrade their machines to improve performance and productivity. This has driven technological advancements even in the bearings industry with players adopting newer technologies to improve efficiency and reduce corrosion.
According to a new report by Grand View Research, technological advancements including smart bearings, development of advanced materials and lubricants, and integrating sensor units, are anticipated to provide high growth potential to the market. Product manufacturers are increasingly investing in R&D to address the intensifying competition by providing innovative products.
With the objective of enhancing performance, vendors are incorporating sensor units of the product. Sensor units help digital monitoring of rotation speed, axial movement, load-carrying capacity acceleration, and deceleration. These units are presently being used in conveyors forklifts, road rollers, and electric motors. Furthermore, the integration of IoT capabilities facilitates manufacturers to monitor operations constantly, the report said.
Echoing similar views, Sumit Mitra, Director- Strategy, SKF India said, “Utilizing AI-driven industrial analytics within a remote monitoring solution is key to monitoring equipment on a real-time basis and taking corrective actions early, planning safer repairs, specifically enabling repair teams to shut down assets and loop in experts as needed securely. Using the cloud to upload data eliminates the need to build local expertise on complex technologies like condition monitoring. Engineers who are having access to the latest technologies and trends can remotely monitor the condition of the equipment and provide expert guidance.”
Bearings manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D to reduce lubricant consumption and to ensure better performance and reliability of the product. Many companies today are offering integrated products which help in significantly reducing the number of bearings that go in an assembled product, thus reducing the overall cost of equipment.
According to the research, the global bearings market size is expected to reach USD 226.8 billion by 2028, registering a CAGR of 8.5% over the forecast period
“The roller bearings segment is anticipated to emerge as the largest product segment by 2028 ascribed to their ability to carry heavy loads and shock or impact loading,” it added.
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