Posted to News on 4th Dec 2015, 16:25
Upgraded small sealed SKF Explorer spherical roller bearings
SKF is promoting its small-sized sealed Explorer spherical roller bearings that offer lower friction, reduced operating temperatures, higher limiting speed ratings and reduced maintenance.
These 'RS' designation spherical roller bearings benefit from a novel seal design that reduces overall friction in the bearing by up to 20 per cent. In representative running conditions, this translates into calculated annual energy savings of up to 292kWh. Moreover, reduced friction means they operate at lower temperatures, permitting maximum operating speeds up to twice those of SKF's previous range of sealed spherical roller bearings that the upgraded range replaced. Lower bearing operating temperatures also extend the life of the bearing grease, allowing lubrication intervals to be increased to up to twice those of current designs, and meaning that many more applications can now be considered relubrication-free.
The new RS seal operates with an optimised lip pressure that reduces seal friction by up to 50 per cent. In addition, the outer ring groove is redesigned for reliable sealing and secure retention. RS seals have a rubberised side face that resists scratches and corrosion more effectively than metallic designs.
Sealed spherical roller bearings are widely used in environments where there is a risk of water and/or particulate contamination. The seals resist the ingress of contaminants, allowing the longevity of the lubricant to be exploited, thereby extending bearing service life and reducing maintenance costs and downtime. The Explorer RS range includes 37 sizes with outside diameters (OD) to around 180mm. This range replaces the previous CS seal design for these sizes.
Follow the link for more information about SKF's upgraded Explorer spherical roller bearings.
