Wednesday, 10 July 2019 09:08

Smart bearing prevents nasty hold-ups

Written by  Mark Daniel
A German bearing maker says its product warns of imminent failtures. A German bearing maker says its product warns of imminent failtures.

A German bearing maker claims to have developed the world’s first ‘intelligent plain bearing’, called iglide.

Igus GmBH says its bearings, made from high-performance plastics, can warn of imminent failures, so allowing operators or users to plan or do maintenance and repairs before failure wreaks havoc. 

It says this capability is particularly useful where plain bearings are pounded by abrasive dust, chemicals, moisture and high rotational speeds.

The bearing suits difficult access locations where it often may get little or no attention.

The iglide bearing consists of two main components: an inner section made from lubrication free material and a hard polymer outer shell designed to protect the internal component.

To measure bearing wear rates, an intelligent sensor is fitted between the two components to alert operators via a warning light, or at the other end of the sphere it can be linked to an automatic cut off device.

In factories that depend crucially on particular plant or machinery, data on bearing wear can be sent to a control system for analysis, and the data can then be passed to a web interface for planned maintenance schedules, so eliminating costly breakdowns or stoppages. 

Featured

Nichol is new PGW chair

A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.

Fieldays to rebuild Mystery Creek services building

The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Fonterra vote

OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.

Follow the police beat

OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter