Page 46 - Hub-4 Magazine Issue 73

Quarrying
Health & Safety
Health & safety concerns are key in the construction and aggregates industries. Working with heavy equipment in often remote, dangerous locations makes injuries more likely to be potentially life changing or threatening.
The main cause of casualties in the construction and aggregates industries occurs during maintenance and repairs, with maintenance on conveyors being one of the major culprits. Every time a piece of equipment fails, safety is compromised. Using optimised bearings, sleeves, housings and seals can improve machine reliability and ease of assembly and disassembly. SKF ConCentra Roller Bearing Units
(ideal for conveyors), for example, come “shaft-
ready”, i.e., they simply slide onto the shaft and are
locked into place by tightening the screws. It’s fast –
requiring far less time and skill to install than a split
pillow block housing assembly - and helps provide
proper alignment while reducing the risk of assembly-
related mounting errors.
Lubricant is essential to keep moving parts in optimal condition, but lubricant is a hazard in itself. If dripped on to the floor during application, or fallen from the machine if too much has been applied, lubricant becomes a slip hazard. Lubricants can also be an accelerant, so a potential fire hazard. Use of an automatic lubrication system decreases quantity of lubricant, which reduces probability of leakages and also reduces the need for workers to go to hazardous locations for relubrication. Ensure suitable seals are used to reduce maintenance requirements and leakages. If possible, opt for sealed bearing units to remove the need for relubrication and potential spills altogether.
Sustainability
Extracting something out of the ground and processing it on an industrial scale is an energy intensive business. At a time when the world is looking to limit its energy usage and impact on the climate, pressure is mounting on the construction and aggregates industries to
reduce overall environmental impact.
Poor bearings performance can
directly affect energy usage. Although the amount of energy
per bearing is relatively small,
when you consider how many bearings
are used in machinery on a given site, it starts to mount up. Choosing the right product makes for a more energy
efficient approach. Look for those that have lower operating temperatures and vibration levels.
Ensuring product is correctly fitted also has a part to play. Misalignment can lead to friction and vibration which can significantly increase energy consumption, plus the risk of premature failures. Shaft and belt alignment tools are readily available that allow customers to increase their machine reliability through easy to use and accurate alignment. Other
options include selecting products that don’t require realignment, such as SKF Cooper Split Spherical Roller Bearings that
do not require the drive
coupling or the cantilevered drive to be dismounted to replace the bearing; these bearing types are easily and safely replaced in situ.
Bearings may not be the most
expensive part of your onsite machinery, yet they
are in widespread use. Apply the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Reduce the number of replacement bearings you use by using good quality bearings that have been designed to both do the job at hand and operate in the appropriate environment. This will ensure product longevity. Reduce the amount of lubrication you use through employing automated lubrication systems or sealed bearings.
When it comes to Reuse, some manufacturers offer a remanufacture service which can significantly prolong bearing service life, as well as reduce cost and lead times. Bearing remanufacturing can significantly
reduce carbon emissions,
consuming around 10% of the
energy of making
a new one.
Recycle
bearings at
end of life.
Not every
part of a
bearing can
be recycled
and not every manufacturer can do this. Check to see if your supplier offers this service.
Brammer Buck
& Hickman, a Rubix
group company, is Europe’s leading
authorised bearings distributor, selling over 100 million bearings annually from the largest, most comprehensive bearings range and stock.
uk.rubix.com/supplier/skf/constructionandaggregates
| p46 |
www.hub-4.com March-April 22 - Issue 73