Liebherr has developed a digital solution for measuring wear in slewing bearings, designed with efficiency, sustainability and safety at the forefront.
Developed by Liebherr’s components product segment, the bearing clearance monitoring (BCM) solution has built-in sensors that allow for precise measurements of axial and radial wear without requiring technicians to perform manual checks in hard-to-reach areas.
This does not only improve safety, but also speeds up the monitoring process. Permanently installed sensors enable quick wear measurement via a web app, which can reduce downtime by up to 75 per cent.
According to Liebherr, an upgrade to the BCM can be seamlessly integrated in the customers’ system without the need for additional measuring devices or gateways, reducing system complexity and allowing users to analyse measurement data within your own systems.
“Our slew drives can be powered electrically, offering clear advantages: They reduce noise emissions and do not require hydraulic oil, which prevents the risk of oil leaks,” Liebherr said.
“Electrically driven slew drives are ideal for applications, where no hydraulic systems are used. They offer a clean solution, especially in sensitive environments. The electric motors are also highly adaptable and can be combined with various gears.
“Thanks to intermediate flanges, motors can be easily integrated and installed in a space-saving manner. Electrically powered slew drives excel in precise positioning tasks, as their power control allows for accurate movements.”
The innovation comes as industries such as mining are working to reduce their environmental footprint while trying to become more efficient, sustainable and safe.
To meet the growing demands of the industry, which includes decarbonisation, Liebherr focuses on continuous innovation. The original equipment manufacturer’s advanced slewing bearings and slew drives are designed to seamlessly adapt to modern standards, making operations more efficient, safer and environmentally friendly.
Also joining Liebherr’s portfolio is Lifinity, an innovative solid lubrication that eliminates the need for regular relubrication.
The process involves a heated polymer-oil mixture being introduced into the heated bearing. As it cools, it forms a stable layer that provides long-term lubrication for the bearing.
Liebherr highlighted the benefits of the process.
“A major advantage is the significant reduction in maintenance, as regular relubrication is no longer necessary, leading to considerable savings in operating costs and time,” Liebherr said.
“This increases productivity, as equipment requires less downtime for maintenance, thus extending the lifespan of machines and boosting overall operational efficiency. Lifinity also reduces the risk of corrosion, enhancing the longevity of the bearing.”
Conventional greases and oils can leak and pollute the environment, but Lifinity eliminates this risk. This technology also meets strict NSF/H1 standards, making it suitable for food-related environments.
Slewing bearings and slew drives are key components of heavy machines in a wide range of applications, including excavators, cranes, tunnel boring machines, antennas, offshore cranes, bridges and wind turbines.
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