DRIVES, MOTORS & GEARS
SETTING THE BENCHMARK
SCHAEFFLER
Improved performance and reduced costs
due to automatic relubrication
Schaeffler has developed an ‘e-kit’
specifically for electric motors. This kit
is suitable for use with the automatic
CONCEPT2 lubricator from Schaeffler
which can independently supply up to two
lubrication points with lubricant.
The e-kit includes the CONCEPT2
lubricator (as either battery-driven or 24 Volt
variant) and all the accessories required
for mounting and installation. Existing
lubrication systems can thus be easily
adapted to a fully-automatic relubrication
system. The e-kit contains angled hose
connectors and a 3m length of hose which
can be shortened as required. The kit also
includes a mounting bracket with a set of
small parts for mounting at an angle of 45
or 90 degrees using eye bolts and the
hose connectors for a 6mm diameter hose
to replace the existing lubrication nipple.
Automatic relubrication devices provide
fresh lubricating grease to the contact
points of the rolling bearing in the desired
quantity and at the right time. They can
also be controlled externally as required
and are easy to integrate into machine
operation. Under- and overlubrication and
the resulting downtimes can be avoided
just as reliably as system contamination
due to excess lubricant. For maintenance
personnel, automated relubrication devices
mean considerably less work, improved
operating reliability and often reduced
maintenance costs.
CONCEPT2 uses Schaeffler Arcanol
lubricating greases. They provide specific
lubrication properties for almost every
type of industrial application. All Arcanol
lubricants are extensively tested for their
suitability. This includes many test rig
tests which simulate a range of installation
conditions and thus investigate the
interaction between the rolling bearing
and the lubricating grease under real
conditions.
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS PACKAGE
FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS
Schaeffler offers a complete solutions
package for electric motors, including
bearings and automatic lubricators – all of
which are designed to help improve the
performance, reliability and operating life
of electric motors.
GENERATION C BEARINGS
Schaeffler bearings continue to
set benchmarks when it comes to
important technical characteristics such
as minimising friction and noise. The
Generation C range of deep groove ball
bearings from Schaeffler incorporate
two new sealing concepts. Reduced
grease loss and better protection
against contamination extend the grease
operating life and therefore the operating
life of the bearing. The new Z-type dust
shield with its innovative labyrinth seal,
helps to reduce grease loss by 20%, and
reduces contamination by 30% compared
to the previous design. The patented
ELS lip seal (optional) provides maximum
sealing at low friction and is particularly
suitable for alternating axial loads, such
as those found in the wheel bearings
of motorcycles. This improved sealing,
without any additional friction losses, is
due to the innovative shape of the lip,
which is perfectly matched to the ring
recess.
Furthermore, the recesses have now
been moved to the interior of the bearing,
significantly improving its robustness during
handling and mounting. In addition, non-
contact BRS lip seals and HRS lip seals,
which start at the inner ring, are available
with increased sealing performance in the
standard range.
The high quality of the balls and a noise-
optimised cage enable Generation C
bearings to run at significantly reduced
noise levels compared to conventional
deep groove ball bearings. Also,
optimised osculation reduces friction.
These characteristics can be attributed
to numerous improvements to raceway
parameters in terms of roundness, waviness,
roughness and tighter manufacturing
tolerances. Reduced friction also means
lower energy costs during operation.
CURRENT-INSULATED BEARINGS
While deep groove ball bearings are often
the most suitable type of rolling bearing
for electric motor applications, Schaeffler
also provides other types of rolling
bearings used in electric motors such as
cylindrical roller bearings, angular contact
ball bearings, spindle bearings and axial
self-aligning roller bearings. Many of these
bearings can be offered as current-insulated
versions with either a ceramic coating
on the rings or ceramic rolling elements
to provide optimum protection against
damaging current transmission.
For example, ball bearings can have
their inner or outer ring coated with
Schaeffler’s INSUTECT (ceramic) coating,
which provides secure protection against
disruptive voltages from 1,000V DC up to
5,000V DC. Different coating thicknesses
provide differing levels of protection.
Similarly, bearings can be fitted with rolling
elements made from high quality ceramic
material that provides optimum insulation
protection, resulting in longer bearing
and grease operating life. Ceramic balls
also ensure optimum emergency running
characteristics.
For further information, please visit www.schaeffler.co.uk
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PECM Issue 43