The correct mounting and dismounting of rolling element bearings can save time and dramatically increase the life of bearings, as well as maximising the availability of critical plant and machinery by avoiding costly breakdowns.


The key here is to ensure that the appropriate tools and equipment for the mounting and dismounting of rolling bearings are on hand for the engineer at the installation or assembly stage.
 
Appropriate tools may include thermal mounting and dismounting tools (i.e. heating plates), induction-heating devices, mounting paste and heating rings, as well as feeler gauges, hydraulic extractors, hydraulic nuts and hand pump sets. Using the correct tools ensures that bearings are mounted and removed easily and quickly without causing damage to the bearings or surrounding equipment and in a safe and reliable way.
 
In order to help plant, maintenance and service engineers, Schaeffler UK has recently published a new technical guide entitled 'Mounting and Dismounting of Rolling Bearings'. This handy, pocket-sized guide includes useful guidance and clear instructions on how to store, handle, clean, mount, dismount, lubricate and maintain rolling bearings.
 
The guide also includes a special section that discusses the possible typical causes of bearing damage and failure.
 
This includes faulty mounting, contamination, corrosion, the passage of electrical current, and incorrect bearing lubrication. There is also a section at the back of the guide that contains tabular information on bearing part numbers, bearing tolerances and their mating components (i.e. shafts and housings), bearing clearance and FAG rolling bearing greases (Arcanol).
 
As well as the guide, Schaeffler UK also offers a range of tailor-made, modular training courses on bearing mounting and dismounting, lubrication, alignment, condition monitoring and maintenance management.
 
Training can be carried out at Schaeffler's UK-based headquarters in Sutton Coldfield, or at the customer's own premises. Bearing mounting and dismounting courses include training modules on rolling bearings, mounting tools, failure recognition and more specific courses such as tapered roller bearing maintenance for rail vehicles.
 
For your free copy of the 'Mounting and Dismounting of Rolling Bearings' guide, please telephone the marketing department on 0121 313 5870 or email info.uk@schaeffler.com and ask for a copy of WL80100.
 

With a total of 66,000 employees at over'0 locations around the globe and group sales of 8.9 billion euros (fiscal year 2008), the Schaeffler Group is one of the world's leading rolling bearing manufacturers and automotive component suppliers.