Equipment and components manufacturer BMG’s range of bearings extends from precision miniature bearings used in machine tools and electronics applications to giant size bearings that meet the demands of the steel and mining industries.

The company, which has grown from a single bearings outlet to 105 branches throughout Southern Africa, continues to expand in Africa.

BMG has become Africa’s leading distributor of bearings, seals, power transmission components, drives and motors, as well as belting, hydraulics, pneumatics and filtration.

BMG’s specialist divisions have advanced technical skills to support the company’s commitment to applying technical knowledge and depth of experience to maximise efficiency and profitability for every customer.

“The company has secured distribution and service agreements with some of the world’s most respected bearings manufacturing companies NSK, NTN, Timken, Rollix and machine industry company IKO,” says BMG bearings division business unit manager Wayne Holton.

He adds that the company’s extensive bearings portfolio is carefully selected in terms of consistent quality controls, compatibility, standardisation, reliability and extended service life.

To enhance performance of bearings and for added protection, BMG has developed specialised sealing systems for bearing housings, to suit specific operating conditions.

In addition, associated bearing maintenance products include installation and removal tools, induction heaters, adaptor and withdrawal sleeves, as well as lubricants, lubricators and lubrication systems.

The company’s technical resources division is committed to enhancing process plant operating reliability in every industrial sector. Specialist services include technical applications consulting, product and system design, on-site process analysis, product quality control and assurance and condition monitoring services.

Holton explains that on-site services, such as product commissioning, conveyor belt splicing, product maintenance inspections and troubleshooting, are enhanced by large bearing and gear fitting.

The BMG team is committed to working closely with customers in all industries to investigate the source of bearing problems and provide cost efficient solutions for optimum productivity of machinery, extended service life of the system and minimal maintenance requirements.

Linear Motion Systems

Owing to the growing trend of moving away from manual machine operation to specialised mechanisation as part of cost-saving programmes, BMG has made an investment in expanding its range to satisfy demand in economical and highly complex applications.

The company’s IKO branded linear motion products have been selected for excellent accuracy and smooth linear motion, easy integration, energy saving and environmental protection.

BMG’s linear motion systems and associated products include linear guides, runner blocks, rails, ball screws, bushings and shafts, designed for high speed, high precision performance and to meet the rigorous requirements of technologically advanced engineering, Holton explains.

Key to precision instruments are linear guides, which are used in conjunction with compact ball screws that are locked onto a platform and linked to a servomotor, to produce linear motion. The primary function of the guides is to allow the platform to maintain high precision, high rigidity and high load motion.

Standard components are suitable for machine tools, cranes and steel, as well as medical and laboratory systems, while specialised components are required for more demanding applications, like industrial robots, offshore rigs and aerospace.

Timken Housed Units

BMG’s portfolio of Timken housed units is designed for reliable sealing, ensuring enhanced bearing protection in harsh operating conditions, including debris-filled, contaminated or high moisture environments. The robust housed series includes plummer and solid block housing units.

“Timken uses high-quality materials in the manufacturing of these units, to meet the stringent requirements for cleanliness, machinability and performance required in demanding operating conditions,” he says.

Holton notes that, the Timken Blue Brute, a spherical roller bearing with solid block housed units, is manufactured with cast steel housings that have three times the tensile strength of cast iron housings.

These units are ideal in harsh applications where there are heavy loads and excessive vibration and enable the bearing to be replaced into the same housing many times, which offers substantial cost savings.

Without a properly aligned shaft, the service life of most housed units is reduced. However, this series is designed to run efficiently on misaligned shafts up to 1.5°.

In steel, mining, pulp and paper, aggregate, cement and forestry, particulates are a challenge, hence the steel auxiliary covers are treated with black oxide for corrosion resistance and added protection against contamination.

“Locating rings provide the flexibility to fix or float the roller bearings in the housing. Optional end caps, which are easy to install and remove, prevent damage to the bearing,” he says.

Remanufacturing and Repair

Holton explains that Timken and BMG’s bearings division offer a complete bearing remanufacturing and repair service where used bearings are reconditioned to original specifications for optimum performance and extended service life.

This repair service includes a customised assessment, analysis, remanufacturing and preventive maintenance programme for the bearings and auxiliary components used in all industries.

The value of remanufacturing ensures substantial savings in downtime and reduced replacement costs. A reconditioned bearing can result in cost savings and time, compared with buying a new bearing.

Efficient refurbishing options are offered for all brands, types and size of bearings.

BMG works closely with a customer’s maintenance team to analyse the condition of bearings and to assess when a bearing needs to be serviced.

When preventive maintenance programmes complement reconditioning, bearings are capable of reaching their fullest potential, Holton concludes.