A large variety of bearing types can be remanufactured , including backing bearings , caster bearings , large sized bearings , slewing bearings and housings . Bearing remanufacturing can significantly reduce carbon emissions , consuming around 10 % of the energy of making a new one . By extending bearing service , remanufacturing avoids the scrapping of components and wasteful use of natural resources .
In addition to bearings remanufacture , lubricants can also be reused in some cases . SKF ’ s RecondOil , for example , removes contaminants from used oils , and returns them to a cleaner , usable and high-grade state . Compared to a traditional , linear use , regenerating the oils allows for a significant decrease of CO2 emissions .
RECYCLE
Whilst the amount of steel per bearing is on the decline due to better bearing design and more efficient manufacturing methods , that steel still has a value as scrap . Not all
Reducing wastage when it comes to bearings is not only good for the planet , but makes good business sense .
bearings are easy to recycle though and normally only parts of them can be recycled . Check with the manufacturer .
BEYOND THE PRODUCT
The 3Rs are a good starting point to help improve the sustainability of your bearings usage , but you can ’ t apply sustainability to the product in isolation . It ’ s important to take into account every aspect surrounding that product , including the manufacturer and its suppliers and distributors . Sustainability should encompass the use of raw materials ; the manufacturer ’ s factory processes and utilisation of those materials ; the amount and type of energy used to make the bearings ; distribution and transportation . Does the manufacturer deploy the IS0 14001 Environmental Management System and the ISO 50001 Energy Management system across all of its sites , for example ?
Reducing wastage when it comes to bearings is not only good for the planet , but makes good business sense . Applying the 3 Rs to bearings is a good investment in the future , whichever way you look at it .
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 . Read its new bearings sustainability brochure , produced with bearings manufacturer SKF , at uk . rubix . com / supplier / skf
For further information , please visit www . uk . rubix . com / supplier / skf
12 PECM Issue 58