Incorrect mounting can cause bearing failures, leading to increased maintenance costs and breakdowns, production downtime and losses.   

To help owners and operators of rotating machinery overcome these problems, SKF has introduced a new version of its Bearing Assist mobile application (app) that assists the bearing installer to replace bearings more accurately and effectively, which helps save time and money.

With workflow as its centrepiece, the new version of the app is designed to be more user friendly, giving the bearing installer clear guidance on the mounting process, which helps prevent premature failures and improves sustainability.

“Since correct bearing mounting minimises premature failure, the app also, importantly, helps to reduce waste and improve sustainability by extending the machinery lifecycles,” notes SKF product manager MaPro Eddie Martens. ”These benefits also address the principles of the circular economy.”

The app can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet and provides step-by-step guidance, replacement instructions and an improved way of documenting and tracing each replacement bearing. It aims to help technicians and bearing installers use a structured process by providing a detailed checklist to ensure that each necessary step, such as planning and preparing the job and measuring associated components, has been completed.

One of the app’s key features is the ability to label and record bearing positions during replacement. Martens explains that this enables better documentation and efficient maintenance practice. “It also provides a better structure to the report which can be automatically generated by the app, saving time for the installer while doing the job,” he adds.

The latest version generates a portable document format, or PDF, preview of the report within the app, which users can then edit and correct before creating a final report. The old version of the SKF Bearing Assist mobile app can be seamlessly upgraded to the updated version without losing legacy data because existing reports will be merged into the new app.