SKF Cooper split spherical roller bearings are boosting the mining industry by providing a high performing, safer solution that requires less installation steps than the standard spherical bearings for in-situ changeout.
“These bearings are designed to significantly reduce installation complexity, maintenance periods, and worker safety risks,” SKF expert in split bearings Lio Martin said.
SKF’s acquisition of Cooper in 2013 was not just a business move, but a strategic partnership aimed at benefiting the mining industry. Cooper is the inventor of the world’s first split roller bearing and has over 100 years of industrial experience. SKF integrated Cooper into its portfolio in 2018, extending its range of powerful solutions for the mining industry.
“For example, the bearings used in conveyor pulleys must be durable and reliable, as they are subject to heavy loads and extreme conditions,” Martin, who is both an application engineer and product manager for slew and split bearings at SKF Australia, said.
“The SKF Cooper split bearing design offers significant advantages over other bearings in the market. It typically has half the weight of components required for installation compared to other bearing solutions and only requires Allen keys and torque spanners for installation.
“Simplifying the installation process cuts downtime and maintenance time, leading to huge cost savings.”
Additionally, with reduced maintenance needs, the sealed version of the SKF Cooper split bearings offer environmental benefits by reducing grease consumption.
The SKF Cooper split spherical can also be used in other heavy-duty industries such as cement, marine, power plants and metal.
As an example, Martin provided one particular case study conducted in the steel manufacturing industry demonstrating how the use of SKF Cooper split spherical roller bearings can reduce unplanned downtime and, in this case, saved over $350,000 in total cost of ownership.
The challenge faced by the steelmaker involved failures of the standard solid spherical roller bearings in the locating position of three of its converters. The installation time for replacement bearings was excessively long, resulting in unnecessary maintenance periods.
SKF Cooper split spherical roller bearings were then installed in the converters’ locating bearing position, providing a safe and easy replacement process with little disturbance to the shaft alignment. The reduced mean time to repair cut downtime to a minimum, and worker safety was significantly improved.
“Cooper split bearings’ improved safety benefits are a huge bonus, and this is a key point for those in the mining industry where safety is the number one priority,” Martin said.
“Mining industry surveys have shown that over 40 per cent of injuries are caused while a worker is performing maintenance or checking a conveyor, and almost a quarter of fatal mining accidents involve conveyors.”
Therefore, by reducing maintenance periods, and taking people out of hazardous situations, Martin said that SKF Cooper split bearings promote a safer environment.
He said this is supported by the services that SKF can provide to mining customers.
“As well as offering this solution, we also offer the assistance of our application engineers, who can supervise during installation, making sure people are following the correct procedures and assembling the components in the right way,” Martin said.
“This service ensures that the installation process is executed correctly, with the help of experts who can oversee and provide guidance to workers. This additional support can significantly reduce the likelihood of installation errors, resulting in more efficient and effective installation processes.”
Martin said mining operations can stand to benefit from the SKF Cooper split bearings along with SKF’s solutions range of seals, lubrication systems and mechatronics.
“The high performance coupled with the reduced installation complexity and maintenance – which improves safety on site – provides a powerful solution to mining operations,” he said.
“And as the requirements of mining operations evolve, SKF is there to support this customer base. We have the expertise and product innovation to complement mining companies now and in the future.”
To learn more about how SKF’s Cooper split bearings can benefit Australian mining operations, visit: https://skf.li/australianminingCooperSplitBearingseditorial1
