Bearing manufacturer and distributor SKF has developed a new mobile application (app) that simplifies the task of mounting and replacing bearings.

SKF’s Bearing Assist app, developed together with customers, provides detailed mounting instructions for a comprehensive range of SKF bearings.

Bearing Assist which was initially available for free download from the Apple Store, in the UK in June, is now available in South Africa and on Google Play platforms.

SKF Bearing Assist app, simplifies the process of mounting and installing bearings and can be used by everyone in a maintenance organisation.

It is suitable for use by all engineering and maintenance teams and will minimise the problems of incorrect mounting, reducing installation time and cost, and helping to extend the operating life of bearings.

Bearing Assist also allows engineers to record the work they have carried out, which can improve the way in which bearing knowledge is shared across an organisation.

“SKF Bearing Assist is a new mobile tool that enables quick, correct and easy mounting,” says SKF product manager Linus Wahlterius.

“It’s a tool that can turn new recruits into experts.”

The app contains detailed product information, including bearing designation, bearing type (with visuals) and suffix descriptions, as well as dimensions and illustrations.

The mounting instructions cover bearings with basic design that are included in the standard assortment. Information such as clearance reduction and drive-up method calculations, and recommendations on lubrication, can save time and effort when fitting bearings.

The instantly accessible information helps to improve the efficiency with which bearings can be installed. In addition, maintenance and production engineers can improve their fitting techniques by following the detailed instructions.

Once a bearing has been mounted, this can be recorded in the app with details such as date, specific asset, location and work order. Details of which specific bearing has been mounted can also be added.

Results can instantly be exported as a portable document format, reducing the time needed to produce a mounting report.

Logging these details in such an efficient way helps to improve maintenance collaboration. This can help to improve maintenance planning and ultimately, increase asset reliability.

A quick in-app registration for full functionality including storing and sharing records is required. Log-in details will be the same as for ProCollect and other SKF apps.