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Bearings and Lubrication Principles your Industrial Workers Will Encounter

Bearings and lubricants are two critical pieces that help power many different machines. Regardless of industry, bearings provide smooth surfaces upon which moving parts can glide with minimal resistance. Lubricants also reduce the friction that would otherwise inhibit rotating parts from completing their overall functions.

Having a solid understanding of bearings and lubricants can help workers maintain machines more effectively. This will reduce downtime, installation costs, and compatibility issues throughout the lifetime of the machine.

Proper training can also help workers obtain the knowledge they need to diagnose/repair issues with bearings and lubricants. More specifically, this training familiarizes workers with bearing nomenclature, mounting techniques, and troubleshooting tips when working with such equipment.

Common bearings and lubrication problems that affect industrial equipment

There are some common issues that affect the performance of industrial equipment- primarily caused by bearings and lubrication. Here are 5 of the most common bearing-related complications and why they occur.

Overheating: As durable as bearings are, they can become discolored, annealed, and even deformed under very high temperatures. Many industry workers forget to closely monitor temperature fluctuations, which eventually cause the bearings to anneal. Most bearings will begin to be affected at temperatures of 400F or higher.

There are many reasons why overheating occurs. The machine may have insufficient heating paths or may be operating under heavy electrical loads. There should be enough heating channels to allow for airflow and supplemental cooling. Loads should also be properly calculated to prevent overheating.

Overloading: Speaking of loads, overloading is another common issue that bearings face. If a worker doesn’t have adequate knowledge of load management, they may end up using improper preloading techniques, tight fits, and even brinelling.

You can tell if a bearing system is overloaded if you notice worn out ball paths and spalling. Fixing overloading can be as simple as using a higher capacity bearing or minimizing your current load.

Sampling point errors: Sampling your lubricating oil is one of the best ways to combat lubrication issues. However, you may still encounter challenges if your sampling point is incorrect. Many industries use contaminated oil samples as a reference, thus ending up with lubrication issues down the line. Make sure all sampling tools and components are properly evaluated before use.

Brinelling: Brinelling is essentially the deformation of a bearing under high levels of tension. If the elastic limit is exceeded, your bearing will become indented and experience excessive vibrations. Proper installation techniques can help you avoid brinelling complications.

Over-greasing: While using too little lubricant may result in equipment damage, over-greasing is also harmful to your equipment. Grease guns and other similar equipment should be controlled to prevent clogging, contamination, and overheating.

How formal training can help address common challenges

Many bearing and lubrication issues can be tied back to training employees. For example, proper training can help prevent overloading, over-greasing, and overheating. Formal training is a useful tool that can equip your workers with the skills necessary to make better decisions.

When workers undergo the “principles of bearings and lubrication” training, they learn about the functions of different bearing systems, while exploring ways of installing and maintaining machines more effectively. Such training also enables personnel to better predict maintenance requirements so they can avoid costly downtime.

Bearings and lubrication training will touch on many different aspects of machine performance. Some of the topics covered include bearing duplexing, lubrication systems setup, mounting techniques, and preventative measures. After the course, workers can also proceed to gain certification in North American Technician Excellence (NATE).

Are you a good candidate for this training program?

Bearings and lubrication training can benefit people in many different professions. From electricians to building engineers and HVAC technicians, this training program provides industry-specific and multi-disciplinary skills to help manage different types of equipment. As long as you work with machines that have rotating parts, you’ll find the coursework in this program beneficial for your current and future responsibilities.

Bearing training can also benefit those looking to improve safety standards, energy efficiency, and overall performance in their industries. With lessons focused on bearings, power transmission, lubrication, and coupling, all trainees can be confident that this program will boost their overall skills within relevant industries.

If you’re ready to elevate your career and the performance of your business, NTT Inc. provides a robust program in bearing and lubrication training. All attendees are taught about bearing systems, repair techniques, power transmission principles, and lubrication properties. By the end of the course, your workers will be ready to handle many different types of rotating equipment. Contact NTT Inc. today to sign up for the next available training program.