BEARINGNEWS Magazine Sep-Oct-Nov issue 41

BEARING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE

How (no-)gravity impacts cage instability in bearings

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Driving Growth with Innovation and Industrial Expansion in Latin-America

In this issue of Bearing News magazine, we delve into the thriving ball and roller bearing market in LatinAmerica, where robust industrialization and sectoral growth are fueling a steady rise in demand. The region's market, anchored by key players like Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, is seeing significant momentum due to the technological developments in the manufacturing, mining, and construction industries. As global companies invest heavily in the region, the market is preparing for continued growth, with projections indicating a 4-5% increase over the next decade. You can read more details and a overview per country in this new issue.

We explore further the critical challenge of cage instability in ball bearings, a phenomenon that has disrupted several high-profile space missions. This unpredictable issue, particularly prevalent in gyroscopes and reaction wheel assemblies (RWAs), generates noise and vibrations that can lead to mission failure. Traditional testing methods on Earth fall short in predicting this instability once in the gravity-free environment of space. However, there is hope on the horizon "Butterfly cage" design, which has been rigorously tested, promises to enhance stability and mitigate these risks, paving the way for more reliable space missions in the future.

In addition, we sit down with Talar Markaroğlu and

The BearingNEWS magazine is published four times a year in March, June, September and December. The online editions are published in 8 languages and can be followed on www.bearing-news.com

Art Director

Diydem Deniz Koç

Photography & Illustrations

Ksenia Shamanaeva

Web & IT

Canbey Bilgili

Birsen Aydın

Onur Uz

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Sesil Markaroğlu, the dynamic leadership duo behind Özevren, which is one of Turkey's leading bearing distributor. With a strategic focus on direct supply to manufacturers and end-users, Özevren has built an impressive local network, boasting a storage capacity of 12,000 square meters across its facilities. The recent launch of Özevren Teknik Makine marks a pivotal transformation for the company, as it expands into offering customized solutions and advanced technological equipment. In our exclusive interview, the Markaroğlus share insights into this exciting evolution and their vision for driving efficiency and innovation in the industry.

What’s Rolling..

Further in this issue, we invite you to explore what’s rolling in the bearing industry. Learn details about key companies and trends, investments, product developments, and other newsworthy advancements. All this and more can be found in this new edition of BEARING NEWS Magazine.

I hope that you will enjoy it!

Related Publications & Network

Editor-in-Chief

Kenan M. Özcan

Editorial Team

Thomas Johnson

Mia Mctigue Rodriguez

Dize Purde

Guest Editor

Mike Brandt

Marketing

Tapaswee Dixit

Victor Vialet

Vincent Yang

Project Coordinator

Merve Zhunuskanova

Kenan M. Özcan Editor in Chief

Butt machining

Our specialized finishing with ground end faces allows for seamless joining of individual rail pieces, enabling the installation of rail systems of any length. The precise grinding ensures smooth movement of guide carriages along the rails.

What’s Rolling... What’s Rolling...

COMPANY: RKB BEARINGS FOR EVERY STEP OF THE CEMENT PRODUCTION PROCESS

EVENT: BEARING & POWER TRANSMISSION WORLD MEETINGS 2025

MARKET REPORT: BALL AND ROLLER BEARING MARKET IN LATIN-AMERICA – MARKET OVERVIEW

COMPANY: ZEN BEARINGS LAUNCHES ITS NEW FOOD AND BEVERAGE-SAFE LINE

LUBRICATION:

COMPANY: NES’ DIGITAL STITCHING SERVICE ENHANCES BEARING SOURCE QUALIFICATION

TECHNOLOGY: HOW (NO-)GRAVITY IMPACTS CAGE INSTABILITY IN RWA AND GYROSCOPE’S BEARINGS

REVOLUTION IN LOGISTICS: AUTOMATIC LUBRICATION SETS NEW EFFICIENCY STANDARDS COMPANY: NTN EUROPE FOUNDATION

INTERVIEW: INTERVIEW WITH GIUSEPPE PANACCIONE

SUSTAINABILITY: SKF AND VOESTALPINE REACH MILESTONE TO DECARBONIZE BEARING PRODUCTION

PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE: THE ROLE OF ULTRASOUND IN MAINTENANCE 4.0

ENABLING BEARING PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE

PRODUCTS: SCHAEFFLER'S OPTIME HELPS PREVENT UNPLANNED DOWNTIME AT UK LIMESTONE PLANT

SOFTWARE: MESYS SOFTWARE VERSION 06/2024 IS AVAILABLE

PRODUCTS: WE4CE PATENTS ITS RE-FIT BLADE ROOT BUSHINGS, MEETING DEMAND FOR ON-SITE REPAIR

SUSTAINABILITY: BEARING NEWS GOES GREEN

March 6, 2024 // BearingCloud launches the TradeZone feature! The new function will support distributor companies for checking and posting special offers, specific demands, seeking new partnerships, hiring new talents and many more options. The messages can be shared publicly or anonymously prioritizing user privacy. The details of the new tool can be checked on www.bearingcloud.com.

March 19, 2024 // Crackdown on Counterfeit Bearings are reported. Recent cases in China and India underscore the ongoing battle against these fraudulent products, emphasizing the importance of stringent quality control measures and collaborative efforts between authorities and manufacturers. Ningbo Customs, in a recent operation, intercepted a shipment declared as “bearings and pulleys,” revealing a stash of counterfeit auto parts. Marked with trademarks Koyo and KYMCO, these parts, upon verification, were confirmed as counterfeit by the copyright holders. The seizure, totaling 4,950 units, highlights the dangers posed by counterfeit bearings, which often compromise safety standards and risk equipment failure.

The operation served as a stark warning to counterfeiters, signaling accountability and the commitment to combatting counterfeit products. Meanwhile, in India, National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI), a leading bearings manufacturer under the CK Birla Group, intensified its crackdown on counterfeit bearings. Through coordinated efforts with local authorities, NEI conducted raids in Delhi and Agra, seizing counterfeit bearings worth over 2.8 million USD.

Bearing Industry

March 25, 2024 // The Timken Company has released its 2023 Annual Report, marking another year of revenue growth, expanded margins and record adjusted earnings per share.

“As the company celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2024, our customerfocused innovations are more critical and relevant than ever in addressing the new needs and challenges of a diverse global customer base and end-market mix,” said Richard G. Kyle, Timken president and chief executive officer. “This year’s strong financial performance reinforces that the company has additional runway for profitable growth, driven by our market leading Engineered Bearings and Industrial Motion product platforms, customer-centric innovation, proven business model, long-term strategy and management’s record of excellent execution.”

April 02, 2024 //IKO Nippon Thompson (UK), a global leader in precision motion

technology, and Servo Components & Systems Ltd, a renowned provider of cutting-edge servo systems, proudly announce their strategic partnership aimed at driving innovation and expanding market reach in the realm of motion control solutions, aimed at redefining the landscape of precision motion control. IKO offers a diverse array of precision positioning tables, integrating linear motion rolling guides and ball screws or motors between the bed and slide table. These solutions cater to a wide spectrum of industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, flat panel display manufacturing, and other precision equipment applications. IKO’s Mechatronics series not only offers superior precision and reliability but also streamlines design and assembly processes, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing timeto-market. Established in 1992, Servo Components & Systems Ltd specialises in supplying motion control products to a diverse array of industries, including general industrial applications, production automation, packaging, food processing, life sciences, automotive, and military sectors.

April 05, 2024 // Bartlett Bearing Company, an independent authorized bearing distributor, announces the Q2 opening of its seventh location in Las Vegas, Nevada. Strategically located, the new, fully-stocked warehouse will streamline the company’s distribution network, resulting in faster and more efficient service for our valued clients nationwide. The Las Vegas location will boast more than 8,000 square feet of combined warehouse and office space, inclusive of a Bartlett counter for local pickups. This warehouse will serve as Bartlett’s West Coast distribution hub, offering improved delivery options to

Bearing Industry

better service the company’s West Coast customers. The opening of this seventh location offers numerous advantages to increase efficiency and provide improved service to valued clients.

April 06, 2024 // New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. (NHBB) has signed Proponent of Brea, CA as an authorized aircraft bearing distributor to support its strategy of increasing business in the MRO sector. Proponent, a leading distributor servicing the MRO market, was chosen by NHBB due to its deep knowledge of the market and broad access to end-users. “This collaboration is intended to help lower our leadtimes and get our bearings into the hands of the aftermarket customers that need them,” said Ted Gentile, NHBB’s Distribution Manager. “Proponent is a great addition to our network of authorized distributors.”

April 07, 2024 // SDT Ultrasound Solutions is excited to announce the release of the LUBExpert ON-GUARD, the newest addition to the SDT Catalog, combining automation with reliability,

simplicity, and safety. Perfectly in line with the SDT mission, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD respects your assets and your work, gives you flexibility by conducting grease replenishment remotely and makes bearing replenishment simple by eliminating the need for extensive training. The LUBExpert ON-GUARD is an online monitoring system designed for smart ultrasound-assisted lubrication with up to 8 channels. The system enables smooth relubrication of assets only when needed, with the appropriate amount of lubricant ensuring your assets consistently perform at their peak. The device promotes a sustainable future with precise control, preventing unnecessary depletion and oversupply as well as reducing lubricant consumption and electrical energy use. This new SDT patented solution helps you keep your workforce safe

by conducting grease replenishment remotely, mitigating any potential risks in hazardous environments.

April 09, 2024 // 2024 The Timken Company Board of Directors has reached an agreement with Tarak Mehta to become Timken’s next president and chief executive officer on Sept. 5, 2024. Mehta is currently president of the Motion business and member of the Group Executive Committee at ABB Ltd., a $32 billion leader in electrification and automation. Mehta will be appointed Timken president and CEO after he completes a transition period with ABB. Richard G. Kyle will remain president and CEO until Mehta’s appointment date. At that time, Kyle will move into an advisory role to assist with the leadership transition. Kyle plans to retire as an employee of Timken following a decade of leadership as CEO but will continue to serve on the Timken Board of Directors. Mehta has 35 years of industry experience, including a 26-year career at ABB. As president of ABB’s Motion business, he has extensive experience accelerating organic growth and innovation across global industrial markets, scaling business portfolios through M&A transactions and helping customers save energy and improve efficiency. While at ABB, Mehta held a variety of global business leadership positions of increasing responsibility, including president of Electrification Products. Mehta will be joining the Timken team in North Canton, Ohio, and is expected to be appointed to the Timken Board of Directors at a future date.

April 11, 2024 // Earlier in April, the Gaotang County Market Supervision Bureau received a notice from local

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The RKB Bearing Industries Group, a Swiss-based manufacturing organization, has been a key player in the bearing industry since 1936.

Leveraging decades of experience, RKB possesses the specialized knowledge and skills required to design and produce industrial bearings from 1 mm bore diameter to over 2.000 mm outer diameter.

With a global distribution footprint reaching over 70 countries, RKB provides value-driven solutions characterized by impressive operational adaptability, top-tier services, huge stock reserves, quick shipping times, and the hallmark quality expected of a premium-bearing provider.

authorities about a case involving the sale of counterfeit bearings by a suspect identified as Wu Mou. The bearings in question were falsely labeled with the logos of well-known brands such as "NSK," "INA," and "FAG," raising suspicions of trademark infringement. Investigations confirmed that the trademark owners had not authorized Wu Mou to produce, sell, or store products bearing their logos. Wu Mou's actions were found to be in violation of Article 57, Clause 3 of the Trademark Law of the People's Republic of China. As a result, the Gaotang County Market Supervision Bureau decided to take administrative action against the suspect. On April 11, 2024, the Bureau issued a decision ordering Wu Mou to immediately cease his illegal activities. Authorities confiscated the counterfeit bearings and imposed a fine of 40,000 yuan on the suspect. In recent years, China has implemented a range of measures to strengthen intellectual property protection, including the establishment of specialized anticounterfeiting and anti-IPR violation departments within customs. These initiatives aim to protect the rights of trademark holders and prevent counterfeit goods from entering the market.

April 15, 2024 // Acorn Industrial Services is excited to share that it has been appointed as SKF’s Super Precision Bearing Partner – the UK’s first and only of its kind. This partnership is an important milestone for ACORN and will enable the company to offer its clients the highestquality precision bearings available in the market with same-day despatch on hundreds of stocked items. SKF Super Precision Bearings are renowned for their exceptional performance, high-speed capabilities, and system rigidity, making them the ideal solution for any high-speed industry. By partnering with SKF, ACORN can now offer a superior range of stock levels, including single, universally faced bearings that can be easily combined to meet any specific requirements.

Bearing Industry

Being appointed as SKF’s first-ever Super Precision Bearing Partner offers customers the assurance that they can get the parts they need, when they need them, allowing businesses to achieve optimal performance with the highest quality products, delivered quickly and efficiently.

April 17, 2024 // JTEKT Japan has recently signed a partnership agreement with Team Visma | Lease a Bike (TVL) to supply ONI BEARING® for the 2024 UCI (Union Cycliste International) world tour.

Background of this Partnership with Team Visma | Lease a Bike. Team Visma | Lease a Bike was the winner of the three biggest UCI tours in 2023 – Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and La Vuelta Ciclista a España. JTEKT is excited to start this partnership with TVL to enhance their performances using ONI BEARING®, a low torque performance bearing with an outstanding reputation in Japan.

May 1, 2024 // The Annual General Meeting of Schaeffler has approved the merger of Vitesco Technologies Group Aktiengesellschaft (“Vitesco”) into Schaeffler. After Vitesco shareholders

at their Annual General Meeting had already voted in favour of the merger agreement the day before, the Annual General Meeting of Schaeffler has also given the green light for the merger. The Annual General Meeting also approved all other resolutions proposed by the management. Up to 626 participants attended the virtual event.

May 3, 2024 // European users of NSK’s class-leading linear guides can now take advantage of NSK’s new state-of-theart cutting facility in the Netherlands. Based at the company’s European Distribution Centre in Tilburg, the €1.6 million plant will enhance service levels for customers in key European markets that include Germany, France, Italy and elsewhere. The new NSK linear guide cutting facility in Tilburg offers a seven-

day delivery time anywhere in Europe. Although NSK Europe already has a linear guide cutting facility at its site in Newark, UK, the addition of Tilburg will help to optimise the company’s service level for these popular products across mainland Europe. The opening of Tilburg linear guide cutting facility means NSK can offer a seven-day delivery time anywhere in Europe. This meets with demands from customers using these high-quality products, particularly those manufacturing automated handling systems, packaging equipment and other common industrial machines such as metal shears. In such applications, precise sales forecasting is difficult, so manufacturers will often order linear guides at short notice. A rapid response from NSK is paramount.

May 5, 2024 // Timken reported first-quarter 2024 sales of $1.19 billion, down 5.7 percent from the same period a year ago. The decrease was driven by lower demand, including a significant decline in renewable energy in China, and unfavorable foreign currency translation, partially offset by the benefit of acquisitions (net of divestitures) and favorable pricing.

Timken posted net income in the first quarter of $103.5 million or $1.46 per diluted share. This compares to net income of $122.3 million or $1.67 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. The company’s net income margin in the quarter was 8.7 percent, compared to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of last year. Excluding special items, adjusted net income in the first quarter was

Bearing Industry

$125.7 million or $1.77 per diluted share. This compares to adjusted net income of $153.5 million or $2.09 per diluted share for the same period in 2023. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) in the quarter was $246.4 million or 20.7 percent of sales, compared with $265.5 million or 21 percent of sales in the first quarter of last year.

May 10, 2024 // Axel Johnson

International Acquires a Majority Stake in Royse for Expansion in the Spanish Market. The acquisition of Rodamientos y Servicios S.L., and Royse ISM Servicios Integrales, S.L. (together “Royse”), a leading provider of power transmission products and services in Spain, is significant for Axel Johnson International, and one of the largest in the group’s history. Royse will become a part of the Power Transmission Solutions (“PTS”) business group, strengthening the position in Iberia and is supported by shared values and a mutual vision for the future. Royse, a family-owned company based in Seville, Spain, operates 14 branches, employs over 160 people nationwide and is the largest independently owned company in the Iberian power transmission market. The company was founded by Juan Manuel Ortega Sr. in 1979. It is well-known for its customeroriented approach and its strong offering with bearings, transmission, and value-adding services as core segments. The company’s geographical expansion has ensured high availability of products, a skilled workforce, and efficient logistics from facilities all over Spain, guaranteeing the best possible service and response to the market. PTS’ and Royse’s mutual customer-focused approach and long-term commitment

are important in supporting continued strong customer relationships.

May 15, 2024 // NSK has developed its 7th generation of low-friction tapered roller bearings. This product can help to increase vehicle range through improved fuel/electricity consumption achieved by reducing friction by an average 20% over the entire rotation speed range. NSK aims to achieve annual sales of 15.0 billion yen by 2030 for this product, including existing models.

May 17, 2024 // Eleiko, a leader in premium weightlifting equipment, together with Ovako, a prominent steel manufacturer known for its high-quality clean steel, are excited to announce the strengthening of their historic partnership, which dates back to 1957. This collaboration is set to promote revolutionary low carbon footprint solutions in steel production and products. The newly signed agreement highlights key initiatives including: A firm commitment to supply and utilize world-leading low carbon footprint steel for Eleiko products. Ovako has agreed to reserve production capacity to meet Eleiko’s demand for low carbon footprint steel. The incorporation of CO2e parameters in product specifications, enhancing transparency and sustainability. Joint marketing initiatives aimed at advocating for sustainable industrial practices, particularly in the Nordic region.

RAPID AND STABLE LINEAR MOTION IN ANALYSING DEVICES,THANKS TO LINEAR WAYS.

An increasing number of tested samples per hour and zero failures are the most important factors in bioscience analysers. Nowadays, linear motion mechanism is an indispensable part in these devices which are used widely in medical and researching facilities. Though dozens of linear bearing manufactures provides small size linear guides in the market, IKO Nippon Thompson brings unique technology and solutions to these high-end devices with our unique technology and the solution we offer:

- Excellent and accurate repeatability

- Maintenance-free

- Made from corrosion resistant stainless steel

The engineer from one of IKO’s Miniature Linear Way ML users who is responsible for designing the precision scanners for their medical devices explains: “Smooth and stable linear movement without a mechanical clearance is absolutely a crucial factor for our device performance. A linear motor-driven table must have zero-compromise speed stability in order to achieve a high quality scanning of the biological membrane. IKO Linear Way brought the solution to our high demands.” During the prototype designing, the engineer and IKO discussed numerous factors and finalized the specification. In addition, the end users or maintenance engineers of the devices are free from a re-lubrication thanks to IKO C-Lube technology. In addition to providing the above mentioned technical solutions, IKO worked together with the customer to plan and arrange optimized delivery control in a recently problematic supply chains system, successfully securing the customer’s on-schedule production.

IKO Miniature Linear Way ML does not stop in the field of mechanical parts, but has evolved to IKO linear motor tables by incorporating their excellent performances. IKO provides the extremely thin and compact structured linear motor tables that are suitable for bio-medical, semiconductor, small automation devices. These positioning tables achieve quick positioning from A to B with more than 80% reduction of the settling time compared to the ball screw driven mechanism.

IKO provides the following size range

Miniature Linear Way ML : 1mm to 42mm in width

Linear Motor Table NT : 38mm to 88mm in width

Linear Motor Table LT : 100mm to 170mm in width

For more information on how IKO can support your new and current projects, visit www.ikont.eu or email nte@ikonet.co.jp, Phone +31 (0)10 462 68 68

IKO Nippon Thompson Europe B.V. Keersopstraat 35, 3044EX Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Make the world move forward*

The most efficient and seamless lubrication solution

LUBSOLIDTM is the outcome of our unparalleled proficiency in lubrication development. Through an extensive battery of tests conducted on bearings in the most stringent conditions, this French technology represents the most effective method to combat the causes of premature bearing failure. The solid lubricant solution is highly recommended for numerous industry. It is compatible with most articulated bearings and ensures safety and longevity.

*At NTN, efficiency hinges on a sustainable product life cycle

May 20, 2024 // HVH Industrial Solutions, a renowned provider of industrial products and solutions, has recently announced its strategic acquisition of Metro Industrial Supply. This move signifies a significant expansion for HVH, establishing it as a prominent supplier and distributor of power transmission and motion control parts within the New Jersey region. Adding Metro Industrial Supply offerings to HVH’s portfolio marks a crucial milestone in the company’s dedication to delivering comprehensive industrial solutions. Metro brings a wealth of expertise accumulated since its establishment in 1983. By combining forces, HVH is now equipped to offer an even broader range of products, ensuring it can effectively cater to the evolving needs of its customer base. Vladimir Harutyunyan, CEO of HVH Industrial Solutions, conveyed his excitement regarding the acquisition, emphasizing that it represents a significant milestone in their endeavor to offer comprehensive industrial solutions. He highlighted that through this partnership, they are reinforcing their standing as a premier provider of high-quality industrial products and services, while also improving their capacity to address the changing requirements of their esteemed clients. HVH Industrial Solutions, known for its

What 's Rolling

Bearing Industry

commitment to excellence, is a familyowned business dedicated to supplying top-quality industrial products ranging from bearings, belts, gearboxes, electric motors, pneumatics, and more. With a focus on customer satisfaction, HVH serves as a reliable one-stop destination for businesses across various industries.

May 25, 2024 // Motion Technology Company Schaeffler and technology company Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Hannover Messe. Both companies will advance the use of artificial intelligence in the industrial sector and therefore make a significant joint contribution to shaping the digital production of the future. At the Hannover Messe, Schaeffler and Siemens are once again showing the successful collaboration with the “Siemens Industrial Copilot,” an industrial automation solution using AI. It is connected to a production machine from Schaeffler Special Machinery at the Hannover Messe. The AI assistant makes the work significantly more efficient for the employees on the shop floor because complex automation codes for the machine can also be generated with natural spoken words.

May 28, 2024 // C&U Americas, the North American subsidiary of the C&U Group, one of the world’s top eight bearing manufacturers was recognized with a 2023-24 Gold Supplier Award from Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) for excellence in product quality, manufacturing, and delivery rate. C&U is the primary bearing supplier to BRP for their ATV, watercraft, and motorcycle product lines. The award was accepted by C&U Americas Director

of Sales, Greg Foreman, and Director of Engineering, Rich Peterson. The Gold Supplier Award is earned by achieving specific measurables in supplying parts including a 97% or greater delivery rate and a Production Part Approval Process of over 99%.

August 16, 2024 // SKF UK Announces ERIKS Industrial Services as its First Maintenance Partner for the UK. ERIKS is proud to have been appointed as the first SKF Maintenance Partner in the UK and Ireland. This new status recognises ERIKS’ ability to offer industrial customers more than just a transactional relationship when it comes to SKF products and services. The announcement was made during Maintec, the UK’s longest-standing event dedicated to maintenance, reliability, and asset management,

which took place as part of Smart Manufacturing & Engineering Week on 5-6 June. A SKF Maintenance Partner is SKF’s extended arm on your factory floor. An advisor who helps you pursue maintenance excellence and provides consistent high-quality monitoring, maintenance, and repairs. As the 1st SKF Maintenance Partner, ERIKS uses its industryspecific knowledge to perform services such as root-cause failure analyses and advanced troubleshooting.

June 06, 2024 // Chinese Customs Officers Intensify Efforts Against Intellectual Property Violations. In a recent series of operations, Chinese customs officers have seized numerous batches of counterfeit goods, including bearings, that infringe on intellectual property rights. A notable operation took place at the Meishan Customs Station in Ningbo, where officers discovered 3,140 counterfeit bearings falsely labeled with the "SKF" and "Koyo" brand names. During an inspection of a shipment declared as "rubber bands and printers," customs officers identified undeclared goods bearing the logos of well-known brands. Upon verification with the trademark owners, it was confirmed that all the bearings were counterfeit. Under Articles 44 and 91 of the Customs Law of the People's Republic of China, customs authorities are mandated to protect intellectual property rights related to the import and export of goods. If goods are found to violate Chinese laws and administrative regulations protecting intellectual property, customs have

Bearing Industry

the authority to confiscate such goods and impose fines. In cases where the violation constitutes a crime, the perpetrators may face criminal charges. This operation is part of a broader effort by Chinese customs to combat intellectual property violations. Counterfeit goods not only infringe on intellectual property rights but also pose risks to consumer safety and the environment.

June 15, 2024 // The Bearing & Power Transmission World Meetings, held in Istanbul from June 10 to 12, concluded with remarkable success. The event brought together 502 participants from distributor, OEM, end-user, and manufacturer companies worldwide. In addition to the B2B meetings and the exhibition, various panels were organized, enriching the event’s agenda. A key highlight was the bearing root cause failure analysis workshop, attended by over 100+ reliability and design engineers, followed by several panels where industry professionals had the opportunity to share their valuable insights on market developments and power transmission technology topics.

June 20, 2024 // Bowman International, a leading innovator of bearings and components, has completed the acquisition of Leicester-based Criptic Arvis Ltd – a specialist in plummer blocks and bearing housings. Paul Hancock, CEO of Bowman, commented on the significance of this move: “We are delighted to welcome Criptic Arvis into the Bowman International Group. There are many synergies between our companies and our combined strength will be of genuine benefit to both Bowman and Arvis customers. “The

Arvis plummer blocks for example, compliment Bowman’s portfolio of high-capacity split roller bearings, and their advanced on-site machining capabilities will enable Bowman’s plain bearings division to offer a wealth of additional services to customers around the world.“There are many benefits for Arvis too. They will have access to a far greater global customer base and a skilled sales force to support them. They will be able to grow their business with access to established functions like HR, finance, and global marketing as well as a wealth of technical and engineering skill to leverage as they tackle new markets and new challenges.“Already, our U.S. subsidiary is working with Arvis to establish their offering in North America, while in the UK, we are supporting their team through this transition to ensure it is a positive experience both for Arvis, and their customers.” Wayne Heathcote has been appointed Managing Director of Criptic Arvis and will be assisted by Adam Colford as Technical Director.

June 21, 2024 // A new version of the FVA-Workbench 9.2 has been released! This version introduces powerful new features that significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of gearbox design. To showcase these new features, we invite you to our free web seminar.

BY

CUSTOM AEROSPACE TOOLS & BEARINGS

LIGHTWEIGHT SLEWING RINGS

CUSTOM & MADE TO ORDER BEARINGS

SPECIALISED BEARING SOLUTIONS

July 01, 2024 // SKF Reports Resilient Performance Amid Challenging Market Conditions. In the second quarter of 2024, SKF, led by President and CEO Rickard Gustafson, has successfully navigated ongoing challenging market conditions, maintaining a solid adjusted operating margin of 13%. Despite a decrease in organic growth from +8% in Q2 2023 to -7% this quarter, SKF has demonstrated resilience, driven by effective cost management and strategic investments in innovation and regionalization. Gustafson emphasized the importance of these strategic moves, noting that while regionalization and lower production volumes have created short-term cost pressures, they are crucial for bolstering SKF's competitiveness in the long run. The company’s ability to manage significant wage inflation and increased ocean freight costs has been a testament to its effective cost management strategies. SKF’s intensified regionalization efforts, which involve relocating production across different regions, have resulted in higher costs during the quarter. However, these actions are seen as essential for enhancing cost competitiveness and improving lead times to customers, particularly in light of the extensive downsizing actions in Germany. Looking ahead, SKF anticipates continued market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty.

Bearing Industry

Despite the potential short-term impact on cost efficiency, the company remains confident that its strategic focus on regionalization and innovation will position it favorably when demand improves. For the third quarter of 2024, SKF expects organic sales to remain relatively unchanged yearover-year, with a low single-digit organic sales decline anticipated for the full year compared to 2023. Rickard Gustafson concluded by commending the efforts of SKF employees, whose contributions have been pivotal in managing the business cycle and driving innovation, ensuring that SKF remains an agile and competitive player in the global market.

July 11, 2024 // Serbian Z&S / KLT Bearings Invests in Bearing Production in Hebei Province. This development marks a significant milestone for the region’s bearing industry, opening up new opportunities for growth and innovation. Established in 1987 in Serbia, Z&S Bearings is a prominent supplier of bearings for agricultural machinery across Europe, with a strong presence in the international market. The project, valued at $100 million, is being executed within the industrial park dedicated to high-quality bearings, where the construction of the main facilities has already been completed. This

cooperation is the result of meticulous planning and negotiations, including delegation visits and joint action plans. The Secretary General of the Linxi County Committee expressed confidence that this partnership will significantly enhance the county’s position in the European bearing market, leveraging the Z&S Bearings brand and its established distribution channels. Živko & Sinovi d.o.o. offers bearings under two brands: Z&S and KLT. The KLT brand serves as a more affordable option for secondary installations, while the Z&S brand represents the company’s core product line, developed and produced in both its own and partner facilities. This investment is expected to bolster the bearing industry in Hebei Province, further integrating it into the global market.

August 05, 2024 // NTN EUROPE Foundation Stone Laid for New Head Office and European Technical Centre. Initiated in 2015 and then formally launched in 2020 with a call for projects, the transformation of the NTN Europe site in Annecy is entering a new phase. The foundation stone for the new head office and European technical centre was laid on 10 July. The bearings manufacturer, a leader in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors, has decided to modernize this historic site, where the company has been based for over 100 years. This project is part of a modernisation and optimisation strategy aimed at boosting productivity,

Bearing Industry

entrepreneurship, and interdepartmental exchanges. It is also a further step in the NTN Group’s commitment. to innovation, sustainable development, and local economic growth.

August 08, 2024 // Schaeffler AG has published its interim financial report for the first half of 2024. The Schaeffler Group’s revenue for the first six months amounted to 8,276 million euros (prior year: 8,208 million euros). The 2.0 per cent constant-currency increase in revenue was primarily attributable to higher volumes at the Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division. The Automotive Technologies division contributed slight growth as well. The trend at the Bearings & Industrial Solutions division had an offsetting impact. Revenue for the second quarter of 2024 rose by 4.2 per cent at constant currency to 4,191 million euros (prior year: 4,056 million euros). The 1.5 per cent constant-currency growth at the Automotive Technologies division in the first six months was mainly attributable to higher volumes of the E-Mobility business division (BD) in the Europe and Americas regions. The constantcurrency rise in revenue of 17.6 per

cent at the Vehicle Lifetime Solutions division resulted particularly from the impact of volumes in the Independent Aftermarket business in the Europe and Americas regions. The Bearings & Industrial Solutions division reported a 3.9 per cent constant-currency decline in revenue in the first half of 2024, largely due to the impact of volumes at the Industrial Automation sector cluster in the Europe region, as well as the impact of volumes at the Wind sector cluster in the Greater China region. Trends at the Schaeffler Group’s regions were mixed in the first six months. While the Europe (2.2 per cent), Americas (5.7 per cent), and Asia/Pacific (1.1 per cent) regions reported constant-currency revenue growth, Greater China region revenue for the same period declined by 1.7 per cent at constant currency.

August 10, 2024 // Management Buyout and Buy-In of Renowned German Bearing Manufacturing Business from NSK. The company is pleased to announce the successful management buyout and buy-in of the esteemed German bearing manufacturer Neuweg Fertigung from NSK, the renowned Japanese industrial group. Located between Stuttgart and Munich in Southern Germany, the area is recognised as one of the strongest economic regions in Europe and a centre for engineering development and innovation. This strategic transition aims to unlock the full potential of the factory’s rich heritage, esteemed brand, and unparalleled technical capabilities in a dynamic and growing international market. The buyout and buy-in will be spearheaded by Stephen Lord, a distinguished industrialist with extensive international management and business development experience. Mr. Lord will be joined by two local NSK executives, Mr. Dominik Szell and Mr. Willi Castro Santalla, who bring invaluable expertise and continuity to the new leadership team. NSK, a global leader in the bearing industry, will maintain a good relationship with the Munderkingen business, ensuring a seamless transition and continued collaboration. This continued relationship will enable the new management team continue to benefit from NSK’s extensive network.

August 12, 2024 // SKF Announces Changes to Group Management. Niclas Rosenlew,Senior Vice President and CFO of SKF Group has decided to

Engineering, Bearings, Technology.

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, EBT Bearings showcases a 20,000 sq. ft., ISO Certified warehouse, an in-house quality control (QC) department complete with Zeiss CMM, a complete line of bearings ready for immediate shipment, and humbly speaking, the best team of employees in the industry. In addition to their Fort Worth facility, EBT Bearings, has a global manufacturing footprint which also adheres to the same ISO Quality Management System and allows for a level of customization, flexibility, and control rarely found anywhere else in the marketplace. In addition to manufacturing their own bearings, EBT is also an authorized distributor for many leading bearing manufacturers, including URB.

Bearing Industry

leave the company and will continue his career outside SKF. Niclas will remain in his current position at SKF until January 2025. ”On behalf of SKF I would like to thank Niclas for his valuable contribution, and I wish him all the best in the future,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO. A recruitment process to identify a successor has been initiated.

August 13, 2024 // The Spanish multinational FERSA, specializing in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance bearings and electromechanical components, has initiated a strategic

transformation that involves a substantial expansion of its global capabilities and a renewal of its corporate identity, which will take place over the coming months. With the arrival of Rafael Paniagua as the company’s new CEO last January, this transformation process began, with the objective of maintaining and enhancing the exponential growth that FERSA has experienced in recent years. To achieve this, the company has invested in opening new production lines in China and India to meet the increasing demand it faces. Specifically, in Jiaxing, where FERSA already operates one

of its six factories worldwide, a new manufacturing plant will start operations by the end of the year. This center will double the capacity of the current plant, bringing the complex to a total of 30,000 m² of capacity, including factory, offices, logistics warehouse, and R&D and quality laboratories.

August 14, 2024 // Timken Company has agreed to acquire CGI Inc., a Nevada-based manufacturer of precision drive systems serving a broad range of automation markets with a concentration in medical robotics. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval, and is expected to close in the third quarter. Timken entered the precision drives space in 2018 by acquiring Cone Drive and expanded its capabilities in 2022 by adding Spinea. These acquisitions were a direct result of Timken’s strategy to diversify and expand its capabilities in industrial motion. Cone Drive and Spinea solutions enable a wide range of applications and are helping to drive Timken’s growth in automation, which ranked as the company’s second-largest individual end-market sector in 2023. The addition of CGI will further bolster Timken’s position as a global leader in automation and robotic solutions.

BEARINGS POWER TRANSMISSION LINKAGES

Let’s talk about: DUNLOP LINKAGES

Design Service

We would like you to take advantage of our design co-operation service from initial application appraisal, through costing and prototypes, to ISIR and PPAP approval and production supply of your rod based Linkage assemblies. They can be supplied loose for final adjustment at the point of fit, alternatively, where required, by using length setting gauges and tooling, linkages can be supplied to pre-determined fixed centres. The flexible manufacturing techniques used in the production of linkage components allow non-standard derivatives to be readily manufactured. We produce hundreds of customer specials with varying dimensions, thread forms and features. We welcome your enquiries - please contact us at sales@btl-uk.com

UK and European Manufacturing

BTL-UK is proud to be a committed European manufacturer of Dunlop brand Bearings, Power Transmission and Linkage components. We believe in the future of European manufacturing and will continue to focus and further enhance the requirements and expectations of our customers globally. As a proud manufacturer we want to help Europe’s industry flourish and to meet the world’s evolving appetite for innovative designs and responsibly produced quality manufactured products.

Linkage Components

Dunlop linkage components such as Rod Ends, Spherical Bearings & Ball Joints are proudly manufactured in the UK and are used to transfer mechanical motion. Whether that motion is shifting the cutting height in a lawnmower or controlling the exhaust valve on an articulated lorry, we specialise in the supply of these products to bearing distributors and to some of the World’s most well-known original equipment manufacturers.

A wide range of materials are available, steel, stainless steel, plastic, bodies with options of bronze, nylon, PU and PTFE liners and with over 100 plating specifications we are sure to meet your customers heat or corrosion resistant requirements.

We believe our range of Dunlop rod ends, spherical bearings & ball joints are the largest range available throughout Europe.

Please visit www.btl-uk.com for further information.

BTL-UK LTD - Head office & European Distribution Centre MPT House, Brunswick Road, Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1EL United Kingdom

BTL-UK LTD - Production Site Units 6&7 Hilton Road, Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1EW United Kingdom

BTL-UK LTD - Production Site Unit 22, Albert Drive, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9TN United Kingdom

Clevis Joints

Ball Studs

Rubber Dust Seals & Spacers

Ball Joints

Only bearing manufacturer in the world to win Deming Grand Prize

Bearings for wide range of applications: from 20 mm to 2000 mm

Exports to 30+ countries worldwide

Major suppliers to Global Automotive OEMs and Railways

R&D and technology centres in Germany, Slovakia and India

New dimensions at Liebherr –slewing bearing with a diameter of 23 metres

• The segmented slewing bearing with an outer diameter of 23.4 metres is the largest slewing bearing produced by Liebherr to date

• In operation on the high seas, the slewing bearing will rotate a heavy-duty crane by GustoMSC BV on an installation vessel

Liebherr's Components product segment is further expanding its portfolio in the area of segmented slewing bearings. The segmented roller slewing ring, which was developed and manufactured at the site in Biberach (Germany), has an external diameter of 23.4 metres.

GustoMSC BV has developed a heavyduty crane for a new type of installation vessels. For the positioning of wind turbines on the high seas, transport ships are able to deliver individual parts directly to such a vessel. This allows for continuous work at sea without having to fetch new parts from the harbour. And it

is in this heavy-duty crane that Liebherr's segmented slewing bearing takes over a vital task. Once in place, the bearing is the core element that turns a ship crane with a lifting capacity of 2,000 tonnes, responsible for the installation of offshore wind turbines. The slewing bearing is a real masterpiece by Liebherr-Components

Biberach, consisting out of 68 segments, the total diameter of which is almost as large as six small cars placed in a row. During its service life of about 25 years, the 23-metre bearing will help to erect offshore wind farms and contribute to sustainable power generation.

The segmented slewing bearing was designed as light as possible to increase the load capacity of the ship. "The crucial features thereby are the inductionhardened raceways of the segments,

which offer a more efficient bearing cross-section than inlaid raceway plates, and thus add to weight reduction," explains Benjamin Schmid, head of sales maritime applications at Liebherr-

Components. "In this way, Liebherr supports the further development of offshore mechanical engineering, which is advancing into ever larger dimensions."

STAR VARIO EX

Elevate your machinery’s performance through innovative ultrasound measurement technology and automatic bearing lubrication. Ultrasound Solu ons

Ernie Lauber Reflects on His First 100 Days as Solve Industrial Motion Group CEO

The seasoned engineered products leader has been leaning in since day one

As he approaches his 100th day as Chief Executive Officer of Solve Industrial Motion Group (“Solve”), Ernie Lauber has been busy building his leadership team and implementing operational improvements.

“I look forward to building on what Solve has already achieved in developing a go-to platform for engineered power transmission products so that we can double the size of the business in the near future,” says Lauber.

“Delivering an unmatched customer experience is critical to ensuring we can achieve that ambitious goal. My job is to keep the Solve team laser-focused on creating a robust and competitive product portfolio, leveraging data to make better decisions, and maintaining strong strategic partnerships."

Lauber arrived at Solve in June after four years as Group President for the Engineered Products Group at ParkOhio Holding Corp, overseeing a $500 million sales business and 2,000+ employees across 40 locations.

He succeeds Lisa Mitchell, who now serves as Chairperson of the Solve board of directors after more than five years with the company where she also held the positions of CFO and COO.

“Ernie brings a compelling mix of leadership and management experience combined with a strong vision for the future of the company. He is an experienced changemaker who the board believes can help take Solve to new heights,” says Mitchell.

“He’s hit the ground running and the leadership transition couldn’t have gone any smoother. I look forward to working closely with him as he plots a course toward an even brighter future for Solve.”

Over the last three months, Lauber has taken steps to implement lean principles across the company, laying the foundation for a cultural transition focused on high expectations and empowered employees.

“We’re working to change the conversation from 'I can't' to 'How can we get to yes?'” says Lauber. “We've already started to

deploy an operating system to help us better pinpoint specific challenges we need to address. I’m a big believer in embracing a culture of continuous improvement.”

In the months ahead, Lauber plans to focus on innovation and product development as well as improving overall operational performance. He expects continued progress toward the company's goals to come through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

“I continue to acquaint myself with all aspects of Solve’s business and build trust with employees as we work together to improve performance and meet our growth targets for next year,” he says.

“Every growth journey is by definition a learning journey, and I look forward to traveling the road ahead with the talented team here at Solve.”

Ernie Lauber; Chief Executive Officer of Solve Industrial Motion Group (“Solve”)

Explore the next level of automatic lubrication: simalube IMPULSE connect

Your personal simatec assistant for efficient and connected monitoring

The «simatec World of Maintenance» app is the overarching digital simatec platform: simatec products can be controlled by the app, taking simatec another step into the

Features

Monitoring of lubrication points

Creation of electronic lubrication schedules in Lubechart (available in the App)

Digital ordering process

Calculation Pro: Calculation programme for the correct setting of your lubricators. Available in the app «simatec World of Maintenance» only Download the simatec app now:

develops grease degradation diagnosis technology for on-site use

NSK is developing a world-first: a high-accuracy way of rapidly and accurately diagnosing the remaining life of lubricant grease. The company will provide the solution as a mobile app, enabling users to perform the on-site analysis of lubricant condition in bearings and linear motion systems. This innovative capability will reduce the need for grease inspection and replenishment costs, and help companies implement condition-based maintenance strategies. NSK’s is currently seeking customer input and feedback ahead of launching its new app.

A broad spread of machinery and equipment, from machine tools to railcars, utilise greaselubricated products like bearings, ball screws and linear guides. However, grease degrades over time as machinery operates, so on-site lubricant inspection is vital to help maximise uptime and OEE (overall equipment effectiveness). In recent years, more and more companies are switching their equipment maintenance strategy from time-based maintenance to condition-based maintenance. A need therefore exists for a grease degradation diagnosis method capable of rapid and highly accurate deployment on site. Such an app would also help combat labour shortages and support carbon neutrality efforts.

— The new NSK mobile app uses grease deterioration diagnosis tech

As a consequence, many companies replenish lubricant unnecessarily early to ensure stable operation, resulting in wasteful grease usage.

Existing high-accuracy diagnosis methods rely on laboratory analysis, but this comes with high cost, a lack of suitability for on-site use, and a long wait for results. Visual observation or densitometer methods are thus more common, but suffer from low accuracy.

With these thoughts in mind, NSK set about developing a far more convenient, costeffective, fast and accurate method of grease degradation diagnosis. Importantly, the new NSK app can analyse the level of lubricant degradation using just a small sample of grease. Chemical changes to the base oil and additives of the grease occur due to heat from operation and oxidation with the passage of time. These chemical

changes cause the molecular structure of the lubricant to change and absorb more short-wavelength light, affecting its colour. Grease itself starts off white when new, turning yellow or orange with use and eventually becoming black, which indicates zero remaining life. The NSK app quantifies grease by its colour to calculate remaining life.

NSK has a 40+ year history of inhouse grease development, allowing the company’s to base its new grease degradation diagnosis technology on a deep understanding of the chemical composition of lubricants.

—The change in grease colour over time of use is clear to see

Long gone are the days of time-based lubrication

Lubrication management is a cornerstone of industrial maintenance, encompassing a range of tasks far beyond the simple application of oil or grease to machines. It involves meticulous selection of lubricants, proper storage and filtration, vigilant monitoring of bearing health, and prevention of over- and under-lubrication.

In the pursuit of operational excellence, the importance of effective lubrication supervision cannot be overstated. Yet, despite its essential role in ensuring the longevity and optimum performance of machinery, lubrication practices often lack focus, leading to costly downtime and equipment failure. Fortunately, thanks to technological advances, new lubrication management tools have emerged, promising greater efficiency and reliability. In this regard, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD is a revolutionary solution that is about to improve automatic bearing lubrication and set new standards in reliability, simplicity and safety.

Understanding the lubrication challenge

Inadequate lubrication can wreak havoc on machines, with incorrect replenishment rates and the wrong type of lubricant posing significant risks. Choosing the right lubricant isn't enough, you also need to ensure that the replenishment rate is correct. Too little grease accelerates

wear, while too much leads to overheating and potential bearing failure. Striking a delicate balance is essential to maintaining optimum performance and extending equipment life.

One of the most pressing challenges in lubrication management is over-

lubrication, recognized by many experts as a ubiquitous problem in industrial plants worldwide. The consequences of excessive grease application are disastrous: heat generation, agitation and, ultimately, solidification, leading to clogging of the fresh lubricant and, with no surprise, bearing failure. Bearing

failures, mainly due to lubrication problems, lead to unplanned downtime, hampering production and incurring significant costs. Clearly, meticulous lubrication practices are essential to the smooth running of industrial operations.

Conventional approaches to lubrication, while seemingly logical, are often unreliable. Many technicians still adhere to time-based, preventive lubrication methods, administering grease at regular intervals. While this strategy aims to limit under-lubrication and the resulting malfunctions, it often overlooks the risks associated with over-lubrication, which can accelerate bearing deterioration.

The role of ultrasound in lubrication

Lubricating bearings using ultrasound has long been considered good practice, as it provides valuable information on friction levels and the quantities of grease required. Ultrasound is a reliable indicator of bearing health, enabling maintenance professionals to accurately assess the effectiveness of lubrication efforts. By assessing friction levels, ultrasound helps

determine the precise amount of grease required, mitigating the risks associated with both over- and under-lubrication.

Introducing the LUBExpert ON-GUARD

The LUBExpert ON-GUARD represents a new step in maintenance technology, harnessing the power of ultrasound measurement to deliver targeted lubrication solutions with unrivalled precision.

Long gone are the days of relying solely on time-based calculations, guesswork or manual intervention. With the LUBExpert ON-GUARD, the lubrication process is automated, ensuring that the right amount of grease is applied at precisely the right time. This device functions as a virtual "nutritionist" for machines, developing personalized, autonomous, data-driven maintenance plans that preventively address potential problems.

Imagine the peace of mind knowing that you no longer need to constantly visit each machine to ensure proper lubrication. With the LUBExpert ON-GUARD, the intricate task of bearing grease replenishment is

seamlessly managed, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This not only reduces workload and minimizes grease waste but also guarantees optimal machine performance.

But what makes this device a real added value that can change the whole of a plant's practices, is that its benefits are not limited to individual machines. It's actually a versatile solution capable of transforming entire plants and lubrication programs, instilling a culture of reliability and efficiency.

Indeed, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD serves as a comprehensive solution for your entire plant and lubrication program. By automating lubrication tasks with precision, thanks to the SDT LUBrain’s advanced algorithm, the device ensures that every machine receives the right amount of grease precisely when needed.

The idea is not to improve the performance of individual machines. Rather, it's about revolutionizing your entire approach to maintenance. Implementing the LUBExpert ON-GUARD solution means a change of

culture and methodology. No longer bound by traditional time-based practices, you'll be able to take condition monitoring and lubrication strategies to the next level.

In other words, it's not just another set of components assembled and installed on machines. The LUBExpert ON-GUARD represents a complete solution to combat poor lubrication practices and promote reliability in your operations. It's an all-in-one package designed to establish new quality practices, where precision, efficiency and reliability come together to deliver unrivalled performance.

Key features and benefits

• Reliability Through ConditionBased Lubrication: The LUBExpert ON-GUARD addresses the vulnerability of 80% of machine bearings prone to failure due to improper lubrication practices, ensuring consistent peak performance and eliminating downtime concerns.

• Simple, Smart, and Automatic

Operation: With its built-in web server and intuitive interface, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD simplifies maintenance tasks, allowing users to connect and control the device from anywhere. The SDT LUBrain algorithm automates lubrication, optimizing machine performance while minimizing workload and grease waste.

• Safety and Flexibility: Prioritizing safety, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD offers remote grease replenishment capabilities, mitigating risks in hazardous environments. Its allinclusive options empower users to tailor lubrication strategies to their specific needs, ensuring sustainable operations and data security.

• Sustainability: The LUBExpert ONGUARD offers significant advantages in two key areas: lubricant consumption and the use of electrical energy. By reducing over-lubrication, it cuts costs and environmental impact. Moreover, it extends bearing life, reducing the need for frequent replacement. On the energy front,

it improves efficiency by reducing friction, resulting in significant electrical energy savings, particularly beneficial for large-scale operations.

Embracing the future of lubrication

With industries facing all the challenges of modern machinery, the LUBExpert ON-GUARD ensures bearing longevity and optimum performance of critical assets. Leveraging the latest advances in ultrasound technology, it redefines precision maintenance, enabling companies to thrive in today's innovative and efficient environment.

Get more information about the LUBExpert ON-GUARD by scanning the following QR code.

www.sonotec.eu

PICARD: Leading the Way in Linear Technology

Located in Bochum, Germany, Friedrich PICARD GmbH & Co. KG stands as one of Europe’s premier wholesalers of rolling bearings and linear technology, exclusively serving the specialized technical trade. Their expansive warehouse spans approximately 10,357 sq m (111,481 sq ft) and stocks over 55,000 items from all premium and high-quality alternative brands, readily available for immediate dispatch.

Expertise in Linear Technology

PICARD is renowned for its tailored linear motion technology solutions and exceptional customer service, a reputation bolstered by its in-house Linear Motion Technology Centre. This state-of-theart facility occupies roughly 600 sq m (6,500 sq ft) and is equipped with two fully automated cutting machines, as well as two horizontal milling machines and one end surface grinding machine,

all operated by expertly qualified personnel, ensuring first-class service.

Situated in Germany's Ruhr region, the centre excels with a comprehensive stock of linear guide rails and shafts from premium manufacturers. They provide matching carriages, traceable rails via data matrix codes (DMCs), a userfriendly linear technology configurator available in their online shop, and remarkably fast delivery times.

Outstanding Product Range

PICARD’s extensive linear product range includes ball & roller guide rails, miniature rails, shafts, linear ball bearings (+ units), threaded spindels, carriages, ball screw nuts, shaft trestles and more from renowned brands such as BOSCH Rexroth, Schaeffler (INA and EWELLIX), THK, NSK, SCHNEEBERGER, SNR, SAMICK and ZEN.

Using the linear configurator available in the PICARD online shop, customers can easily specify their requirements by entering the needed rail types, quantities, precise lengths, and offset space ahead of the first borehole. Prices and availability are displayed instantly, and the ordered rails are precisely cut and securely packed. Each rail cut in their centre is chamfered, facilitating the insertion of guiding carriages that protect the seals.

Precision DMC Labeling for Traceability

All linear rails supplied by PICARD are lasered with a data matrix code label, corresponding to the WBA manufacturers' article identification. These DMCs ensure precise traceability and providing detailed product information such as dimensions, boreholes, illustrations, and manufacturer details.

Infinite Length Rails with Butt Machining

PICARD now offers butt machining, catering to customers needing exceptionally long rails beyond standard lengths. This method allows for a seamless connection of rail sections, theoretically enabling assembly to infinite lengths.

In contrast to conventional separation, the end faces of the rails are precisely ground during the butt machining process, ensuring there is no gap and a tolerance of just 0.02 mm. This precision is crucial for allowing the individual elements to be seamlessly fitted together later by the user, ensuring smooth operation of carriages on the rails. After machining, the matching end points are marked with a laser device, indicating

to the fitter which rail elements are compatible with each other.

Butt machining not only facilitates the creation of very long rails but also frequently reduces shipping costs and makes storage easier. Currently, PICARD offers this specialized service upon request and subject to availability.

Efficient Logistics Solutions

PICARD’s logistics operations are both sophisticated and incredibly swift. Orders placed by 7 p.m. CET from Monday to Friday are guaranteed to be shipped the same day. For even faster needs, PICARD offers courier delivery options by air, sea, and land, including direct delivery to endcustomers.

Setting benchmarks in linear technology, the company excels with its extensive product range, customized solutions, and innovative machining techniques. Combined with efficient logistics and exceptional customer service, PICARD remains a top choice for specialized technical trade partners seeking reliable and fast solutions.

Contact: +49 234 53993 130 post@picard.de shop.picard.de

31 MAY - 04 APRIL 2024

Introduces

New Wireless Sensor and Condition Monitoring Solution

The Timken Company has launched a new wireless sensor and condition monitoring solution to help users detect a failure or major change before it happens through temperature and vibration monitoring.

“Solving challenging application problems is at the core of what we do,” said John Szarka, Vice President Product Management – Engineered Bearings.

“Our wireless sensor and monitoring solution can indicate potential performance issues before they happen, saving our customers from experiencing unplanned downtime.”

Initial network set-up for the gateway and sensors is simple and intuitive,

allowing for either a WiFi or Ethernet connection. The wireless sensors are designed to be installed into the equipment the user wishes to monitor. Next, temperature and vibration data are transmitted to a gateway receiver through mesh technology. With this technology, sensors can transmit data both directly and through each other, allowing sensors to link to a single gateway receiver over an expanded distance.

The data remains in the user’s control on-premise, enhancing data security. With no recurring fees, users can then visualize, access, and receive alerts about the data through the intuitive dashboard.

More information about Timken’s Wireless Sensor and Monitoring Solution is available at timkensensor.com

ÖZEVREN RULMAN A.Ş.

Bearing Distribution with Customized Solutions & Technological Equipment

Özevren Rulman A.Ş., one of the largest bearing distributor companies in Turkey, has always prioritized supplying manufacturers and end-users directly as its main strategy. This approach led to the establishment of branches in key industry locations with significant industrial activity. With its Head Office, European Side Coordination Center, Logistics & Operation Center and 5 branches with a combined storage capacity of 12,000 square meters, Özevren Rulman A.Ş. stands out as the regional leader in terms of local network, logistics, and capacity.

Recognizing the need for customized solutions to reduce production costs, increase efficiency, and enhance Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), the company has launched Özevren Teknik Makina. While bearings, reducers, linear products, chains, belts, and other power transmission products constitute the core of its product portfolio, Özevren Teknik Makina was brought to life to offer customized solutions and more technological equipment to its partners.

We discussed the transformation of the new activities with the General Manager and CEO Talar Markaroğlu and Sesil Markaroğlu.

Özevren Rulman A.Ş. has a well-deserved reputation in the bearing and power transmission industry for many years. What were the motivating factors behind establishing Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş.?

Thank you for your kind words. As Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. we’re proudly one of the most respected, reliable and strongest brands in the Turkish bearing industry. We can say that bearings are one of the most critical and indispensable intermediate products used in the industry all over the world. Similarly, bearings are indispensable items of the industry in Turkey.

The market we serve has a highly competitive structure and we work in a highly dynamic environment. According to a report I’ve seen recently, 80% of companies established in Turkey are closed within the first 5 years and the average lifespan of companies is around 25 years.

In this regard, only those who know their job best, love and respect the most can be a part of a journey that will last for generations. As Özevren Rulman A.Ş. we have become

Sesil Markaroğlu & Talar Markaroğlu

a company which serves the sector and add value by constantly growing in a balanced manner for more than 40 years. We have the invaluable experience and hard-earned pride that this brings with.

As a result of analysis of the business trends, our experience has shown us this: In the market; there is a growing need for companies which position themselves as customers' solution partners and can quickly respond to their expectations. New expectations require more detailed information and support by specializing with a sector-focused approach.

This was our basic motivation behind the establishment of Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. We want to find fast, efficient and longterm solutions to customers’ problems. The added value that Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. will create can be briefly summarized with this strategy.

Today while it seems very easy to access information; we are very well aware that accessing accurate information is more difficult and costly than ever.

In addition to providing quick and simple solutions to day-to-day problems, we want to provide in advance support in areas that our customers cannot foresee with an approach that we can describe as “preventive medicine”.

What kind of products and services will it offer? Which sectors and markets do you aim to reach with these products and services?

As I just mentioned, it would be more accurate to position Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. as a supporter and solution partner of our companies that produce in Turkey, we call them the dynamo of production.

We want to move forward in a sector-focused manner and specialize in different sectors that we have selected and see big potential. We follow a strategy of becoming a crucial solution partner in the Turkish Industry. Of course, we are aware that this is a long-term project.

When we closely look, we see our industry often competes with the world's leading companies in their fields, sometimes they collaborate with biggest ones. We believe,

— Ozevren Team

the need for those companies to have more holistic solutions will gradually increase in order for them to keep up with the global competition.

We analyze problems customers face and generate tailored solutions. Each problem and each solution will accumulate in an ever-increasing pool of knowledge, and over time, we will have a memory that can offer solutions to similar problems much faster.

For example, if there is a chronic malfunction experienced by our customers, we will also offer options on the most optimum bearing arrangement while solving this malfunction. We will create business processes in which we will review together with our customer in order to reduce total costs.

During these processes, many of our services, from product supply to field supervision, will improve over time. As I said, these will become much more efficient over time, we wanted to take the first step without any more delay.

Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. in what location and in what kind of structure?

As Özevren Rulman A.Ş. we have 5 branches on different locations all over Turkey and we are one of the most accessible companies with our widest network. Özevren Teknik Makina A.Ş. will be able to reach our customers from all these locations. As human resources, we have an experienced staff, mainly engineers, who know the problems and aware of the expectations of the sector. Our primary principle will be accessibility and a free from bureaucracy in this field.

As a part of our long-term strategy mentioned above, we are also proud to share some good news that we will move our Headquarters to its new location.

We’ve just hired a new place with 900 m2 in total space in Acarlar Plaza in Istanbul / Kavacık. As of September 1, 2024 we have started our activities in our new headquarters and it will be referred as GENERAL DIRECTORATE of ÖZEVREN RULMAN A.Ş.

In order to meet our customers’ expectations in terms of faster delivery

times, our current location in OrhanlıTuzla will be transformed into a Logistics Center. This center will be serving much faster in terms of logistics and we’ll strengthen our logistics capacity. Our Orhanlı-Tuzla campus will referred as LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS CENTER.

What kind of goal did you set for 2024? Could you share your business agenda?

We decided to move forward with sector focused strategy for years 2024 and 2025. Many sectors in Turkey are globally strong and have a large production capacity, we know this. We are one of the leading countries in Europe in many sectors we focus on.

However, we also see that there is still a long way to go in terms of using the right technology in the most efficient way. In general, our country has a work culture that is not resistant to changing technologies and can adapt quickly.

We have seen closely that some companies have come a long way to complete this transformation when they believe it is ecessary. We’ve decided to focus on various sectors in order to both support

these companies and encourage all other companies in the same direction. Since the beginning of this year, we have visited almost all the major companies in our focused sector and we aim to reach the rest till the end of the year. We want to be the first company that comes to mind when in the field of bearings and technical solution.

Özevren Rulman A.Ş., which has the strongest bearing stock in Turkey is our biggest supporter. Additionally, we will be explaining our current products and services at the fairs we will attend in the last quarter of 2024.

Could you detail your product groups? How do you contribute to increasing efficiency and quality in factories?

Our main product group is bearings, bearing heating devices, seals, belts, couplings, chains, gears, etc.

The products we offer minimize downtime that causes unplanned costs and contribute significantly to the efficiency of factories. In addition, we ensure maximum efficiency from bearings with Arcanol greases produced only for bearings.

With segmented spherical roller bearings in critical fan bearings or critical conveyor bearings and similar products, we can significantly shorten bearing replacement times and minimize costs.

In general, our approach is to support manufacturers in making long-term and predictable production plans and to prevent unforeseen costs.

What kind of services will you offer for after-sales customer satisfaction?

By offering Field Supervision service, we provide our customers with field support service from the most reliable and knowledgeable source. We know we need to be solution-oriented and offer fast service without creating bureaucracy.

We have an understanding that the structure we have established will always be flexible according to the demands of our customers. We can make the necessary changes anytime. There is another important point that I would like to underline: One of the critical issue is using original materials.

Unfortunately, we have seen and continue to detect many defective products in the field we are authorized distributor of. And I would like to state that we attach great importance to this issue. Perhaps this issue could be the subject of a separate interview.

As a result of our sensitivity on this issue, one of the important parameters of customer satisfaction has been the complete elimination of our customers' concerns about the products we sell, whether this product may be defective or not.

Using defective products unknowingly or consciously is one of the heaviest setbacks to our country and our economy. Our most important request from our customers is to carefully investigate the source they purchase and make sure they are authorized distributors.

We also provide training to our customers to prevent potential work accidents and downtime.

Our goal is to keep large stock of special bearings used in specific sectors and to provide instant service on 7/24 basis in case of sudden factory stoppages. We already

are taking firm steps towards this goal. If support is requested from us in terms of assembly of large bearing items we will be providing supervision service in this field and eliminate risks that may arise due to assembly errors.

What is your message to the industry?

As a sector all together; we believe we should improve continuously day by day, learns new solutions and transfers this knowledge to the field. In this way, we can meet at a point where we are constantly learning, developing, making significant contributions to our industry and creating added value. In today's world where accessing accurate information is so valuable, being able to provide added value to our valuable industrialist friends is our company's greatest source of motivation.

Walking hand in hand with the industry is the most invaluable goal for us.

More information can be found at www.ozevren.com

bearings for every step of the cement production process

RKB manufactures bearings that offer efficiency and reliability at every step of the cement production process, from the initial stages of mining and quarrying to the final product. RKB products are integral to various stages, ensuring seamless operations and optimal performance. Consequently, over the years, the cement industry has become a significant sector in terms of sales share for the RKB Group.

Mining and processing

The cement production process begins with the mining and quarrying of limestone, the primary raw material. This stage involves using heavy machinery such as excavators, earth-moving equipment, and off-road dumper trucks. RKB bearings are manufactured to withstand the extreme conditions and heavy loads encountered in

these operations for smooth and efficient limestone extraction.

Once the limestone is extracted, it undergoes primary and secondary crushing to reduce its size for further processing. This involves the use of jaw crushers and cone crushers, which are critical for breaking down the material. RKB bearings are engineered to handle

the high impact and continuous load of these crushing operations, maintaining durability and performance. The crushed limestone, along with other additives like iron ore and bauxite, is transported via conveyors and bulk handling systems. RKB bearings support the smooth operation of these systems, ensuring that materials are efficiently moved through the production line without interruption.

Grinding and homogenization

The next stage involves the grinding of raw materials in mills such as bar mills, ball mills, and vertical roller mills (VRM). These mills require bearings that can handle heavy loads, high vibration and shock loads. RKB provides bearings that ensure the reliable operation of these mills, contributing to the effective grinding of materials into fine powder.

The ground materials are then homogenized before further processing. During the homogenization and preheating stages, RKB bearings guarantee that the mixing and heating processes run smoothly, maintaining consistency in the raw meal before it moves to the kiln.

Clinker production and processing

One of the most critical stages in cement production is the calcination and burning of the raw meal in rotary kilns to form clinker. This high-temperature process requires bearings that can withstand extreme heat and maintain stability under thermal stress. RKB’s specialized bearings are produced to perform reliably in these harsh conditions for the continuous and efficient production of clinker.

After the clinker is formed, it needs to be cooled and stored before further

processing. RKB bearings support the cooling equipment and storage systems so that the clinker is properly managed and ready for the next stage of production.

Final grinding and packaging

The cooled clinker is then ground into fine cement powder in finishing mills such as ball mills, VRMs, and horizontal pressure grinding rollers (HPGR). RKB bearings help ensure the smooth operation of these mills, contributing to the final quality of the cement.

Finally, the finished cement is packaged in bulk or bags for distribution. The packaging process involves mixers and other machinery that rely on RKB bearings for efficient operation so that the cement is properly packaged and ready for transport to various construction sites and concrete production facilities.

By choosing RKB bearings, cement manufacturers can achieve optimal performance and maintain the highest standards of operational excellence, reducing maintenance and operating costs.

RKB offers on-site support, help with bearing selection, failure investigation and technical support related to bearing applications and equipment reliability.

Our bearings can be found in various machinery, including high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), vibrating screens, apron feeders, separators, cone crushers, jaw crushers, hammer crushers, vertical roller mills (VRM), horizontal mills, roller presses, ball mills, rotary kilns, gearboxes, conveyors, concrete mixer trucks, and bucket wheel excavators. RKB bearings for the cement industry are designed to withstand the harsh operating conditions encountered during production.

Mahomed Chothia, Senior Engineer

RKB Bearing Industries

Leveraging decades of experience, RKB possesses the specialized knowledge and skills required to design and produce industrial bearings from 1 mm bore diameter to over 2.000 mm outer diameter. With a global distribution footprint reaching over 70 countries, RKB provides value-driven solutions characterized by impressive operational adaptability, top tier services, huge stock reserves, quick shipping times, and the hallmark quality expected of a premium-bearing provider.

PRECISELY FORWARD NSK MOTION SOLUTIONS

From Machine Tool, Injection Molding, Medical & Measuring to General Machinery applications, NSK offers the best technical solutions and a full range of engineering services. Every NSK Linear Guide, Ball Screw, Support Bearing and Super Precision Bearing is tailored to your specific needs. NSK, the only comprehensive engineering service supplier on the market, will take your business a step ahead. Find out more at www.nskeurope-motionsolutions.com.

Welcome to Bearing & Power Transmission World Meetings 2025

The Bearing & Power Transmission World Meetings is a B2B meet up, exhibition and forum at global level attended by professionals from 40+ countries. Key distributors, manufacturers, solution providers and end-users from the bearing and power transmission industry will come together for three days during the B2B table meetings, Expo, lunches, dinners, and many more networking activities.

• Global Participation: Expecting 450+ delegates from 42+ countries in 2025 edition,

• Unity in Diversity: Distributors, Manufacturers, and Industrial Solution Providers convened, crafting connections and fostering partnerships.

• Beyond Meetings: Beyond the core B2B meetings, the event includes an exhibition area to showcase innovative products and solutions.

• Networking Perfected: Our gala dinner, networking lunches, farewell dinner, and other activities proved that business thrives not just in meetings but in shared moments of interaction.

• World Power Transmission Association: The upcoming 2025 edition will host the annual meeting of the World Power Transmission Association (WorldPTA). This association aims to foster global collaboration and networking within the power transmission industries, aligning with current and future industry standards, the Net Zero strategies and mutual goals on a global scale.

Secure Your Spot Today!

✓ Distributors

✓ Manufacturers

✓ Service & Solution providers

✓ OEM, MRO & End-Users

✓ Service & Solution providers

✓ Procurement prefessionals

✓ Engineering companies

✓ Organizations & Associations

✓ Universities & Students

Connect to the entire PT/MC supply chain

The global B2B Meet-Up, Exhibition, and Forum for the entire PT/MC supply chain, from raw materials to finished products and distribution. " "

7 reasons to join Bearing & Power

Bearing & Power offers a unique opportunity to expand your professional network and boost your brand's visibility on a global scale. With exclusive access to B2B meetings, exhibition and forum, you'll connect with industry peers and gain valuable insights.

✓ NETWORK with peers from all around the world

✓ EXPAND sales and distributors network

✓ Join the B2B SPEED DATING & B2B TABLE MEETINGS

✓ Increase your BRAND VISIBILITY

✓ CONNECT with potential suppliers

✓ Participate to the “DISTRIBUTORSHIP program”

✓ Gain market and product insights at the FORUM

64 Countries Participated Participants

Industry Segment by percentage of Attendees

Pullman Convention Center

Pullman Istanbul Hotel & Convention Center is 30min. from Istanbul Airport and easily accessible through highway connections. The 16.000m2 convention centre enables the event guests to enjoy a variety of lunch, dinner, meeting, seminar and exhibition facilities. The 3500 m2 spa offers relaxation areas and treatment along with a fitness centre. You will also enjoy the delicacies of Turkish and International cuisine that will rejoice your tastebuds along with special cocktails from around the world that is served in our enjoyable bar areas. With its 750 rooms, Pullman Istanbul offers its guests the luxury and comfort that they deserve. This and many more awaits you at the Pullman Istanbul Hotel.

A Trade Hub For Asia, Europe, Africa And Beyond

Istanbul is today with its 20 million large population, a critical business hub who does direct business with 200 different countries in the world. For centuries Istanbul has been a key trading point, connecting the east and west, thanks to its prime location between two continents. The market stalls of the Silk Road may have been replaced by gleaming skyscrapers and major banks, the city remains one of the world’s premier business destinations. This prime location helped the city to grow rapidly into a cross-continental trading hub, paving the way for its distinction as the premier international business destination it is today. Now, still thanks in part to its thriving port, Istanbul is responsible for over a half of the regional trade, making it an important meeting point for representatives from all industries.

What’s New in the 2025 Edition?

✓Distributorship Program

Find new Distributors and Suppliers. The Distributorship Program allows distributors to connect with alternative suppliers and helps manufacturers expand their network in new markets globally.

✓B2B Speed Dating!

Beside the classic B2B table meetings, an additional B2B Speed Dating program will be organized with the start of the event to meet max. number of delegates and attendees.

✓Annual Meeting of the World Power Transmission Association

The 2025 edition will host the World Power Transmission Association's annual meeting, focused on global collaboration, networking, and aligning with industry standards and Net Zero strategies.

The Bearing & Power event will host a Forum designed for the PT/MC industry. The

✓ Supply Chain stragegies from raw material to finished products

✓ Innovative models for Procurement and Supplier Development

✓ How to expand into New Markets

✓ Use of AI and how AI will transform the PT/MC industries

✓ How to find Investments for your PT/MC projects

✓ Technical Workshops for End-Users

✓ Industry and application presentations

Call for Papers

Do you have any bearing and power transmission solution, research, workshop or insights to share? Feel free to contact us

Heart of Vehicles’ Suspension System

• Best-in-class automatic forging line • CNC turning machines organized in work cells • Heat treatment by Aichelin technology

• Automatic grinding lines

• Patented full-scale inspection lines, with sorting accuracy of 1 micron for all the main dimensions

Ball and Roller Bearing Market in Latin-America

– Market Overview

The ball and roller bearing market in Latin-America has shown consistent growth, driven by increasing industrialization and the expansion of key sectors such as automotive, mining, energy and construction. The market's growth is expected to continue, with projections indicating a steady increase in demand for both ball and roller bearings over the next decade. Latin-America has several local manufacturers of bearings, although the region also relies heavily on imports from global producers to meet demand. Countries like Mexico, Brazil and Argentina are key markets within the region, who imports a significant volume of bearings from major global producers, including countries in Asia and Europe. Exports are more limited but growing, especially as local manufacturers improve their technological capabilities and quality standards.

Market Dynamics

The primary drivers include the automotive industry's growth, particularly with the rise of electric vehicles and sales of vehicules which require specialized bearing systems. Additionally, the construction sector's expansion and the increasing use of machinery in industries like mining and manufacturing are boosting the demand for bearings. Innovations such as sensorintegrated bearings for advanced condition monitoring, low-maintenance bearings, and bearings with improved lubrication systems are gaining traction. These advancements help extend the lifespan of bearings and reduce maintenance costs. Major global players like SKF, NTN, Schaeffler, Timken, and NSK have a strong presence in the Latin-American market. These companies are involved in both direct sales and partnerships with local distributors to cater to the regional demand.

Significant investments are being made in upgrading manufacturing facilities and expanding production capacities. Companies are also investing in R&D to develop innovative products that meets to specific regional needs, such as bearings for use in harsh environments like mining operations. Mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations are common as companies aim to strengthen their market position.

The market is expected to see a shift towards more advanced and specialized bearings in the coming decade, driven by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and automation in industries. Bearings with integrated smart technologies will likely see higher demand. The market is forecasted to grow steadily, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4-5% over the next decade. This growth is mainly supported by continuous industrial development and infrastructure projects across Latin-America.

Conclusion

The ball and roller bearing market in Latin-America is poised for sustained growth, driven by industrial expansion, technological advancements, and increasing investments. Key players in the market are focusing on innovation and strategic partnerships to meet the evolving demands

of the region. As the market dynamics continue to evolve, opportunities for growth and development in this sector remain robust. The market in Latin America exhibits significant import volumes to meet the industrial and automotive sectors' needs. Brazil and Mexico lead in both imports and local production, reflecting their robust industrial infrastructure. Argentina, Chile,

and Colombia also have notable local production capabilities, though on a smaller scale. Local production helps mitigate import dependency, but exports remain relatively low across the region, highlighting potential areas for growth in production and international trade.

Bearings Launches its New Food and Beverage-Safe Line

Aware of the needs of the food and beverage industry, the global bearings manufacturer has launched a new food-safe and hygienic line engineered to tackle the industry's toughest challenges.

With its new range of stainless steel, ceramic, and hybrid bearings, along with housings and inserts, ZEN Bearings offers a durable and reliable solution for those seeking food-safe and hygienic products that comply with industry regulations.

As we all know, the food and beverage industry presents significant challenges regarding bearing requirements due to its unique demands for safety, hygiene, and performance.

For bearings to thrill in this industry, they must meet strict hygiene and cleanliness

standards. In addition, they must be made of corrosion-resistant and food-safe materials and food-grade lubricants must be used. But that’s not all. Bearings must comply with food safety regulations and standards such as those set by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation). They

should withstand continuous operation, high speeds, and specific mechanical loads while minimising downtime. It sounds like a lot, right?

Meeting these requirements is no small feat, and thankfully for us, the new FBS line ZEN Bearings line delivers on all fronts:

• All the bearings, housings and inserts within this line are made with materials that comply with the industry standards and regulations and offer excellent corrosion protection.

• The ZEN FBS Line is supplied with

FDA-compliant Mobilgrease™ FM, which, among other properties, meets global performance & cultural requirements (NSF H1 Registered, Kosher/Parve, Halal)

• They are designed to prevent the entry of contaminants such

The ZEN FBS Line in Detail

Food safe Ball Bearings:

Stainless Steel FBS Bearings

• FDA-compliant AISI 420 and AISI 304 stainless steel.

• Exceptional corrosion and extreme temperature resistance.

• Endures frequent high-pressure washing and chemicals.

• Non-toxic, easy to clean, and non-porous.

• Handles high loads and vibrations for extended life.

• Equipped with FDA-approved NBR seals and metal shields for lubricant retention and corrosion prevention.

• NBR seals that resist oils, fats, mould, and water, maintaining food integrity.

• Supplied with FDA-compliant Mobilgrease™ FM (NSF H1 Registered, Kosher/Parve, and Halal compliant).

AISI 420 AC+ FBS Bearings

• Enhanced with a special surface treatment developed by their engineers.

• Lasts twice as long as standard stainless steel bearings, cutting replacement costs and downtime due to corrosion.

• Virtually untouched by corrosion after 120 hours of Salt Spray testing.

• Compliance with FDA and RoHS standards.

• Supplied with FDA-compliant Mobilgrease™ (FM NSF H1 Registered, Kosher/Parve, and Halal compliant).

as dust, moisture, or cleaning agents into the bearing and to withstand frequent washdowns.

• They are easy to clean, non-toxic and protect against contamination and lubricant leakage.

& Hybrid FBS Bearings

• Ideal for food applications requiring superior corrosion resistance and higher temperature capabilities than stainless steel bearings.

• Excellent durability against continuous exposure to water, harsh chemicals, acids, and alkalis, minimising maintenance requirements.

• Low friction coefficient contributes to cost savings through extended lifespan, reduced lubrication needs, and lower energy consumption.

• Equipped with PTFE seals providing excellent thermal stability and optimal resistance to industry cleaners and disinfectants, effectively protecting against contamination.

• Full Ceramic FBS Bearings can run lubrication-free, and Hybrid FBS Bearings require less lubrication than stainless steel bearings due to their lower friction coefficient and lighter balls.

Food Safe Housings and Inserts

FBS Stainless Steel Housings with stainless steel inserts:

Ceramic

• Made in AISI 304 stainless steel, which provides excellent corrosion and temperature resistance.

• Protection against rust and damage from moisture, liquids, and cleaning agents.

• Smooth surface that is easy to clean, promoting hygiene and reducing the risk of contamination.

• Strong, durable, and can withstand heavy loads, impacts, and frequent use, minimising downtime and maintenance costs.

• Lubricated with FDA-compliant Mobilgrease™ FM. NSF H1 Registered, Kosher/Parve, and Halal compliant).

FBS thermoplastic housings with stainless steel inserts:

• Made of PBT, known for excellent chemical resistance.

• Withstand acidic or alkaline substances and sanitising solutions without damage or corrosion.

• Smooth, easy-to-clean surface that reduces bacterial growth and promotes hygiene.

• Provides insulation and protection for internal electronic components, ensuring safe operation in food and beverage applications.

• Lubricated with FDA-compliant Mobilgrease™ (FM NSF H1 Registered, Kosher/Parve, and Halal compliant).

As you can see, ZEN’s new Food and Beverage Safe (FBS) line meets the tough standards of the food and beverage industry with unmatched durability and safety. For more details on each product, just scan the QR code below to download the new FBS brochure and see how ZEN Bearings can improve your operations.

Fast-Acting, Powerful Rust Revenge® Soaks Away Rust Safely

Environmentally friendly Rust Revenge ® , new from Daubert Cromwell , is a water-based, non-acidic, ready-to-use soaking liquid that removes rust without mixing or scrubbing. Tested and approved by leading OEMs, Rust Revenge begins to work in as little as 5 minutes. It is nontoxic, biodegradable, reusable, and entirely safe for use in the workplace.

Rust Revenge, new from the leading manufacturer of anticorrosion packaging for industry, is a low-foaming rust remover and descaler that solves a common problem in metalworking industries. It is highly effective at removing scale, hard water deposits, and build-up. Ideal for de-rusting metal equipment and machinery in automotive, heavy equipment, military, and all types of manufacturing applications.

Odor-free, ph-neutral Rust Revenge contains no VOCs or HAPs, acids or bases. Use it directly as supplied, without further dilution. Intended for dip or immersion tanks, adding to spray wash systems, and spot-treating problem areas on metal surfaces. For best and long-lasting corrosion protection, package the clean part in Daubert Cromwell VCI film or paper.

Rust Revenge is available in 1-gallon, 5-gallon, and 55-gallon containers, plus totes.

For more information contact Daubert Cromwell at +1-708-293-7750; info@daubertcromwell.com

The future of logistics is automated

At a time when efficiency and sustainability are more important than ever in the logistics industry, simatec's simalube automatic lubricators mark a turning point. These innovative solutions not only provide

an answer to the challenges of modern logistics, but also redefine the standards for maintenance and service. In this report, we look at how simalube is taking efficiency in logistics to a new level and why this technology is indispensable for any forward-looking logistics company.

The challenge: maintenance in non-stop logistics

The logistics industry is characterised by continuous operations and the relentless pursuit of efficiency and profitability. Downtime for maintenance means lost

productivity and can severely disrupt supply chains. Traditional manual lubrication of machine elements is time-consuming, error-prone and often inadequate, leading to premature wear and equipment failure.

Innovation by simalube: Automatic lubrication

simalube, the top product from simatec, offers an elegant solution to these challenges. These automatic lubricators precisely and reliably supply critical components such as industrial chains, conveyor technology and sorting systems with the necessary lubricant. Once installed, they operate autonomously for up to a year, drastically reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing operational reliability.

Advantages of simalube: More than just lubrication

The advantages of simalube extend far beyond pure lubrication:

• Increased service life: Continuous and even lubrication minimises wear and friction, which significantly extends the service life of the systems.

• Reduced downtimes: Fewer maintenance interruptions mean higher productivity and efficiency.

• Energy efficiency: Lower friction leads to lower energy consumption and helps companies reduce their carbon footprint.

• Time and cost savings: The automation of lubrication processes not only

saves time, but also money through reduced maintenance costs and lower lubricant consumption.

• Focus on technology: the simalube is innovation simalube lubricant dispensers are characterised by their adaptability and versatility. Available in different sizes - from 15 ml to 250 ml - and with adjustable running times from 1 to 12 months, they offer the right solution for every application. The transparent housings allow easy monitoring of lubricant levels, while the hermetically sealed system keeps dirt and water out, further increasing reliability and safety.

— Two simalube lubricators including brushes simultaneously lubricate and clean the 30 metre long linear guides on a storage and retrieval machine (robot).

— simalube lubricator incl. brush.

— Here is a detailed picture of the installed simalube lubricator including the brush.

Areas of application: simalube in action

From conveyor systems and high-bay warehouses to picking robots and packaging systems - simalube has proven itself in a wide range of logistics applications. The ability to lubricate reliably even in the tightest of spaces and in areas that are difficult to access makes simalube the ideal partner for state-of-the-art logistics systems.

Future prospects: Digitalisation of maintenance

With the introduction of IMPULSE connect, simatec is taking a further step towards the digitalisation of maintenance. This technology enables the digital monitoring and configuration of lubrication points via Bluetooth®, allowing even more precise maintenance and more efficient use of resources.

Conclusion: A new chapter for logistics

The implementation of simalube in the logistics industry is more than just an improvement in maintenance processes; it is a paradigm shift towards greater efficiency, reliability, sustainability and, ultimately, profitability. Companies that rely on this innovative technology position themselves at the forefront of progress and secure decisive advantages in the highly competitive logistics market.

Shape your future with simalube.

Are you ready to revolutionise your logistics processes and maximise the standards of your equipment? Contact simatec today to find out how simalube can transform your maintenance operations.

simatec ag

Stadthof 2

3380 Wangen an der Aare Schweiz

Tel: +41 32 636 50 00

Web: simatec.com

— The simalube 15ml can optimally lubricate and maintain a chain even in the tightest of spaces.

— Here, a maintenance manager is activating the simalube IMPULSE connect so that it can be monitored at any time.

Ultrasound instruments

Detect

CONDITION-BASED LUBRICATION

Listen to your bearings and know when to stop lubricating

Avoid over-lubrication: the cause of 60% of failures

Be alerted when bearings need lubrication

Create lubrication routes

BEARING CONDITION MONITORING

Easily create inspection routes

Trend bearing condition

Setup alarms for early failures

Record bearing sounds for deeper analysis

NES’ digital stitching service enhances bearing source qualification program

Napoleon Engineering Services is your answer for bearing qualification

OLEAN, N.Y. – Napoleon Engineering Services (NES) had long ago set itself apart with its Source Qualification Inspection program.

A unique bearing reverse engineering initiative, Napoleon Engineering’s SQI provides an in-depth, analytical look at a bearing manufacturer’s design intentions, manufacturing capabilities and overall quality of workmanship. It has been performed, with unparalleled results, for hundreds of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) over the years, allowing them to confidently qualify the best bearing and supplier for their desired application.

It is, perhaps, the Olean, N.Y.-based bearing company’s defining triumph.

In the last two years, however, this program’s capabilities have only become greater. And that’s due primarily to NES’ introduction of “digital stitching” on tapered roller bearings (TRBs) and its capacity for bearing modeling.

But what, exactly, does it mean by “digital stitching?”

Well, NES’ inspection engineers work closely with the NES inspection department to develop enhanced technical information about the interaction between contacting surfaces within a tapered roller bearing. The inspection department

provides the data that’s produced by three different inspection machines – a Mitutoyo Contracer, Taylor Hobson Form Talysurf and Zeiss Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). The inspection engineers then digitally stitch that information together to create an accurate image of the exact location and form of all contacting surfaces of the cone, cup and rolling element.

NES’ RENOWNED SQI is comprised of a series of thorough inspections. But the purpose is largely two-fold: to determine the differences in design between two sources of product and establish the differences in the quality of

workmanship. For Part 1, NES compares the supplied or industry-accepted design values of a manufacturer with the measured and calculated values obtained by the stitching of raw data.

“When you have the data from those three measurement machines, you can build a digital bearing model,” said Kyle Brook, Napoleon Engineering’s inspection and testing manager.

To accomplish Part 2, NES uses this technique to take an advanced look at contacting surfaces.

“We can now visually show our customers exactly how the contacting geometries align and interact with each other at a microscopic level to determine the impact on product quality,” Brook said. “This provides us with fantastic visuals compiled by our digital stitching. We’ve rebuilt the bearing in such a way that it shows us the deviations from true intended form and overall differences in quality regarding the effective surfaces.”

NES conceived this portion of its SQI in 2022. It built and developed the program over the course of a few months and performed an initial internal test on multiple sets of bearings that summer. In the aftermath of a highly successful outcome, its ownership was handed over to Brook and the inspection team, who oversee the program today.

THE FIRST customer for whom NES conducted its digital stitching service extensively was a major heavy truck axle and transmission OEM. This OEM also wanted an enhanced data sheet from NES that it could input into its Romax integrated driveline software for bearings and gears to better determine bearing output characteristics, such as expected life. The Romax programmer wanted to improve the accuracy of the input geometry beyond that of the previous decade of work between the two companies.

This compelled NES to provide more accurate numbers for attributes like effective center, theoretical sharp corners and other calculated TRB values. NES developed the measurement techniques that are required for its digital stitching software to generate those results. In

the end, NES not only provided the OEM with the detailed information for which it was seeking but established a successful template moving forward.

“So, we put that together and said, ‘OK, we can offer that consistently to all customers,’” Brook said.

This has allowed NES to enhance the value of its SQI, to strengthen what was already one of its most highly regarded services, one that includes visual inspection, noise testing and analysis of material chemistry, microstructure and hardness. And it’s led to a greater reliance on North America’s most experienced bearing reverse engineering organization.

“Our comparisons are more standardized and they’re more detailed,” said Brook, when asked how the addition of the digital stitching component has made Napoleon Engineering Services better. “We’re looking further under the hypothetical microscope. We’re digging in deeper

and we’re more consistent and more standardized in our evaluation.

“We’re doing it the same way over and over again and we are digging a little bit deeper into the finer points of the differences in quality between two suppliers and the design between two suppliers.”

TWO YEARS later, NES has continued to adapt to a more sophisticated manufacturing standard, Brook said. As part of this world, customers expect more in terms of input values for their modeling systems. “I think we’re meeting or exceeding those expectations,” he added.

The next step for NES will be to provide its own bearing modeling in tandem with its SQI. “Now we that have this capability, we’d take our newly created digital output for tapered and cylindrical roller bearings and create an exact bearing model,” Brook went on.

“We can take those digital values and put them into our bearing modeling software and start to provide very real estimates of stress distribution and bearing life and determine at what loading a bearing is subject to impending failure. And that becomes real, tangible value for OEMs when comparing design and

manufacturing quality between suppliers.”

What does this ultimately mean for NES and its customers?

“I think we can attract more OEM customers,” Brook noted, “and give them additional risk reduction with quantified

values for life and stress, which is exactly what they need. That’s what this gives us the power to do.”

(Courtesy of J.P. Butler, Marketing Coordinator, Napoleon Engineering Services.)

How (no-)gravity impacts cage instability in RWA and gyroscope’s bearings

Cage instability in bearings

The cage instability phenomenon in gyroscopes' and RWA's ball bearings is not without consequence. It generates noise and vibrations that significantly affect the normal operation of the equipment. Over the last few decades, numerous space missions like Rosetta, GOES, Cassini, XMM-Newton, and many others encountered substantial disruptions, with some even being aborted due to ball bearing performance issues.

The common denominator among these mission setbacks is the cage instability problem in bearings. This problem resembles the chaos theory's butterfly effect—it's a complex and chaotic issue that has been hard to predict and widely misunderstood. This unpredictability has plagued space missions for years, causing uncertainty and costly setbacks.

Can we rely on qualification?

A natural question arises: can a successful qualification of the gyroscope or RWA guarantee cage stabil-ity once the spacecraft or satellite is launched into space?

The answer is definitively negative, and for two essential reasons.

The first reason lies in the intrinsically chaotic nature of the cage instability phenomenon. This means that slight modifications in operational conditions (speed, friction, etc.) or slight changes in the cage's geometry can trigger cage instability. Many parameters indeed contribute to triggering this phenome-non.

No matter how extensive the qualification, it's nearly impossible to precisely predict the actual evo-lution of operational conditions or wear, for example. The nature of the phenomenon also means that studying and testing extreme or limit cases cannot guarantee proper future functioning.

The second reason is directly linked to the first. It's related to the fact that experimental tests and qualifi-cation of bearings generally consider the presence of gravitational force. But what is the impact of grav-ity on the bearing cage's stability? Experimental tests cannot disregard gravity for an obvious reason, and numerical simulations account for it for realism, aiming to replicate the experience. But what about the ABSENCE of gravity? Experimental tests won't be of any help since gravity cannot be removed by any means.

The weight of the cage negligible, really?

However, the weight of the cage is negligible, around some millinewtons. How then could such a weak force play a significant role on a spacecraft's scale? Cage instabilities merely translate the establishment of a coherent mechanism

— Fig. 1 – Space probe qualification challenge

— Fig. 2 – Laundry behavior in washing machine analogy

that tends to amplify exponentially. In other words, regardless of the intensity of the efforts identified once instability sets in, it always starts from an extremely calm situation. Thus, even an infinitesimal force, like the cage's weight, can undoubtedly influence the cage's movement. This is particularly true at low speeds or in transient regimes, where the cage's kinetic energy cannot produce inertia forces much greater than those generated by gravity. Consequently, the mechanisms involved in the birth of instability cannot operate; they are constrained by the cage's weight, which tends to maintain it in a stable state.

This reality changes as the bearing's rotational frequency increases. We can draw here the analogy of the washing machine. The cage undergoes its own weight just as laundry in a washing machine undergoes its own. When the machine starts its cycle, the drum rotates very slowly around its axis (similar to a bearing ring). The clothes are slightly jostled but remain confined to the lower part of the drum: the weight of the damp laundry is enough to keep the mass within the machine's drum. However, as soon as the cycle reaches its spin speed, between 1000 and 2000 revolutions per minute, the laundry gets pressed against the walls of the drum. At these speeds,

the centrifugal forces are much greater, and the weight fades in comparison, as if it ceases to exist. It's precisely this transition that the cage of the bear-ing experiences when its rotational frequency increases. In the same manner, with the increase in the cage's kinetic energy, gravitational force gradually fades in the face of inertia effects, eventually becom-ing negligible. It's only at this moment that the unstable nature can be observed, if it exists. The tragic corollary is that terrestrial experimental tests cannot anticipate a

potential tendency toward instability at low and moderate speeds! In practice, the targeted speed ranges fall within the standard operation of the RWA or gyro incorporating the bearings. In such cases, predicting a FAILURE ON EARTH appears impossible! With the possible disastrous consequences that can be imagined.

Mitigating risk is definitely possible

Based on the deep understanding of the mechanisms driving cage instability, APOGEE has engineered a new cage design, the Butterfly cage, that is intrinsically stable and has been experimentally validated (patent pending). APO-GEE also knows perfectly how to assess the instability risk associated with any cage, beyond terrestrial qualification, while also considering the effect of non-gravity.

For additional information and concrete demonstration based on real applications cases, contact us via www.apo-gee.tech.

Christophe Servais, Ir, PhD Chief Technical Officer

cse@apo-gee.tech www.apo-gee.tech

APO-GEE ENGINEERING SRL has fully solved the CAGE INSTABILITY PROBLEM, to which no fully satisfactory response has been possible for more than 50 years (patent pending). See www.apo-gee.tech.

EUROPE

Foundation stone laid for new head office and european technical centre

Towards a collaborative and sustainable future.

Introduction

Initiated in 2015 and then formally launched in 2020 with a call for projects, the transformation of the NTN Europe site in Annecy is entering a new phase. The foundation stone for the new head office and European technical centre was laid on 10 July. The bearings manufacturer, a leader in the industrial, automotive and aerospace sectors, has decided to modernize this historic site, where the company has been based for over 100 years.

This project is part of a modernisation and optimisation strategy aimed at boosting productivity, entrepreneurship, and interdepartmental exchanges. It is also a further step in the NTN Group's commitment, to innovation, sustainable development, and local economic growth.

Our head office, located on a site that is over a hundred years old, is no longer adapted to the company’s current needs or activities. We are therefore going to replace it with a modern building that will meet our current needs and be able to evolve as NTN Europe undergoes future transformations. This project meets our Group’s requirements in terms of reception and working environment, while offering an exemplary design from an environmental point of view.

Dominique Lavilla, Managing Director of NTN Europe

NTN Europe: a

presence in Annecy FOR OVER 100 YEARS

A long-standing player in the Annecy region

• In 1880, the Swiss Jacques Schmid invented the first rings and balls for mechanical bearings and founded the company S.R.O. (Schmid Roost Oerlikon).

• In 1894, it registered a patent, then became a supplier to the French naval air arm during the First World War.

• In 1916, the company moved to Annecy to meet the high demand. The factory, close to the station, was ideally located for its electricity supply from Forces du Fier in Brassilly, and its steel supply from the Ugine steelworks.

• In May 1944, the factory was totally destroyed by bombing, bearings being a strategic product in wartime. It was bought and rebuilt by Régie Renault at the end of the Second World War.

• In 1946, S.R.O became S.N.R (Société Nouvelle de Roulements).

• From 1955 onwards, the company enjoyed 20 years of continuous growth. It built many more buildings on its premises in Annecy and set up its own training and further training centre.

• In the 50s and 70s, new production sites were set up in the Annecy area: in Meythet in 1956, Argonay in 1964, Seynod in 1966 and Cran-Gevrier in 1974, where a new logistics centre was opened in 2014.

• In 2007, SNR was acquired by the Japanese group NTN Corporation and became NTN-SNR, and subsequently NTN Europe in 2023.

The company now employs nearly 2,400 people at its 5 sites in the Annecy area, including 800 in Annecy itself, making it the leading industrial employer in the Savoie region. Over the last 2 years, NTN Europe has hired 550 people on permanent contracts in the Annecy area.

A necessary transformation of the site

Over time, changes in the company, the town of Annecy and the lifestyles of the people of Annecy have made it essential to transform the site. Over the last ten years or so, NTN Europe has decided to reduce its industrial activity within the city centre and redeploy it to other sites in the region, with a total repositioning of employees, with the aim of closing it down definitively in the city centre in 2025. With some of the buildings no longer in use, the company has decided to gradually sell off a third of the 11 hectares it used to own and reorganise its activities.

The sale in 2023 of two of the three lots to Cogedim will enable NTN Europe to finance the reconfiguration of the site and the construction of its new head office. It will also encourage the regeneration of a new part of the city, with the construction of 675 homes, a new police station and the creation of new streets, with the reorganisation of traffic flows to relieve the pressure on the avenues leading to the city centre.

The new head office project

Located in the immediate vicinity of Annecy's old town and open to the city, the building will preserve the architectural character of the area while

complying with current environmental standards. Entrusted to the Patriarche agency following a call for projects, this programme is anchored in an approach to integration into the city and eco-responsibility that is of prime importance to NTN Europe.

The new building, with 10,000 m² of floor space and a capacity of 650 people in the offices, will be able to accommodate up to 850 people using the collaborative spaces. It will house NTN Europe's administrative departments and the central operational teams of the Business Units, which will be spread over three levels, with easy circulation between departments and floors to facilitate meetings. A Research and Development centre will be attached to and connected to the main building.

Co-designed with NTN’s teams to reflect new ways of working, the new European Headquarters has a simple compact, and durable design, enabling it to meet the challenges of efficiency and resilience. Located at the entrance to the city on their historic site, it was necessary to consider existing urban and landscapes issues before talking about Architecture, and to work in harmony with the city and the neighborhood, to meet the challenges of the moment without sabotaging the future.

Jean-Loup Patriarche, Architect - Chairman of the Design Board at Patriarche

Employees and communities at the heart of the project

Proximity and cohesion are part of NTN Europe's DNA, which is why the structural choice of the new headquarters was made around the collective. Half of the surface area will be dedicated to workspaces, while the other half will be made up of places for exchanges, which aims to encourage co-activity, the circulation of people, minds and projects.

The workspaces have therefore been designed as ‘neighbourhoods’ to encourage interaction, with nondedicated offices forming living areas. These will be complemented by closed collaborative spaces for 1 or 2 people, bubbles for 4 people, alcoves set back a little further and meeting rooms.

These individual and group workspaces will be connected to a collaborative hall in the

centre of the building. A restaurant and cafeteria will be available to employees, while a concierge service will be offered to improve their daily lives and contribute

to their well-being at work. Upstairs, an atrium will offer a relaxation area, with bleachers for a coffee or an informal internal presentation.

Outdoor facilities will be available for dining and relaxing, as well as loggias on the upper floors and a rooftop.

Aware of the importance of uniting all its employees around this project, the company’s management is supporting this transformation. A space that can accommodate around twenty people has been set up in one of the existing buildings to present employees with their future working environment, which they are all encouraged to come and try out to get a better idea of what it will be like. They can also take part in a competition to find a name for the new head office and will be also invited to help decorate the workspaces.

An eco-responsible head office

In line with the Group's raison d'être ‘We make the world Nameraka’, NTN Europe is committed to contributing to a more fluid, mobile and harmonious society, based on a more efficient use of energy. Fully integrated and connected to the city, and designed according to bioclimatic principles, this new headquarters is perfectly in line with this philosophy.

With its wooden façade and bright, open spaces, the new building will also feature an innovative architectural design, in keeping with the Group's image.

An environment designed for comfort and energy efficiency

NTN Europe has therefore chosen wood as the main material for the construction of this new building because of its many environmental and architectural advantages. Particular attention is being paid to excellent thermal and acoustic insulation, which will provide a comfortable and energy-efficient interior environment. As a renewable resource, wood will significantly reduce the building's carbon footprint and guarantee excellent energy performance thanks to its natural insulating properties. The warm, natural appearance will blend in perfectly with the surroundings, creating a pleasant and inspiring environment for employees.

The building will also feature a shed roof, an effective architectural solution for maximising natural light and ventilation, while offering a distinctive and functional

This represent a real transformation in the way the company works, which is why one member of my team is now dedicated to supporting this change. In addition to the 150m2 area showcasing these future open and closed collaborative spaces, support for department managers in managing their teams through this transition is also planned.

Laurent Guiot, Director of Human Resources at NTN Europe

design. The roof will be made up of a number of sloping solid and hollow roof surfaces, arranged in sequence. A steep glass slope will face north to avoid direct sunlight but provide constant, high-quality light, while a softer solid slope will face south to avoid excessive heat.

This structure will maximise natural light and therefore reduce the need for artificial lighting. In addition, 520 m2 of photovoltaic panels will be installed on the tiled roof, and photovoltaic shades on the car park. All this will enable NTN Europe to reduce its energy consumption by 70% and its CO2 emissions by 380 tonnes a year, making it virtually self-sufficient in electricity for its tertiary activities.

In terms of outdoor spaces, the car park will encourage soft mobility, with capacity for 248 bicycles, while 30% of parking spaces will be dedicated to electric vehicles. The soil will provide drainage for rainwater, reducing demand on urban drainage systems, while contributing to the replenishment of the water table.

Finally, in keeping with its commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, the company has decided to green the areas around the building, planting no fewer than 130 trees on its grounds. This will create a pleasant working environment and improve air quality, while regulating local temperatures.

Laying the foundation stone

The foundation stone for the new headquarters was laid on 10 July in the presence of Mr Eiichi Ukai, CEO of NTN Corporation, the Executive ommittee of NTN Europe, and numerous officials and guests. The foundation stone was a ‘symbolic’ wall made of recycled wood bricks, bearing the logos of NTN Europe and the Patriarche agency.

This ceremony was also an opportunity for Mr Ukai to plant a Japanese cherry tree, the meaning of which he explains as follows:

Planting a Japanese cherry tree has a special meaning for us as a Japanese group. These trees are an emblematic symbol of Japanese culture and represent the importance of living each moment to the full. Their blossoming heralds renewal and hope, and this is a promising new chapter for NTN Europe. Beyond its cultural symbolism, this Japanese cherry tree and the other trees that will be planted will create a pleasant environment that will promote the wellbeing of our employees and visitors. It will also serve as a reminder of our commitment to the environment and our desire to create a lasting positive impact for future generations.

Mr. Ukai

This event highlights the importance of this new headquarters to NTN Europe and to the local community. The support and involvement of the public authorities illustrates the vital cooperation between the private and public sectors not only to support the local economy, but also to promote environmentally friendly construction practices.

Girl Power

Helping to shift the balance in engineering roles

Recently published data in March 2022 summarises how the gender composition of the UK’s engineering workforce has changed over the last 11 years and confirms unsurprisingly, that engineering remains a very much male-dominated field. However, the trends are gradually shifting, confirming that while the percentage of women in engineering has increased, the increases are concentrated in certain roles. In 2010 just over 1 in 10 (10.5%) of those working in engineering roles were women. Fast forward to 2021 and the percentage had risen to 16.5% (Source, ONS) with the rates of change (in terms of gender balance) focussed on the associate and technical professional levels, rather than managerial or director level.

A good example of how women are becoming increasingly involved in engineering is at precision bearing specialists CARTER MANUFACTURING, where in her position as Sales Director, Francesca Brundell-Romero is proving to be an outstanding success. In a revealing interview with Francesca we learn about her journey, growing up amidst the world of bearings and her ascent through the ranks of this complex and fast-expanding industry sector. From very early exposures to bearing events and factory visits to pivotal roles in Carter’s US offices and now at Carter’s UK HQ in Oxfordshire, Francesca shares her insights and experiences. This is through the recent global challenges along with the evolving landscape of

gender representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry sector.

What was it like growing up with family in the Bearing Industry?

“From a young age I was experiencing bearing industry events and exhibitions, meeting many businesses who we still work with today. This allowed me to improve my customer engagement skills and I think people like to ‘buy’ from a familiar face”.

Attending Conferences helped sow-the-seeds

“In the early years I was too young

to ‘officially’ attend conferences and events, but I did interact and meet people briefly. As I got older I started attending conferences and enjoying and exploiting the benefits of socialising with customers. For example, Bearing.Net is a good annual event to meet familiar faces in the industry and catch-up on the latest worldwide industry and environmental trends”.

Visiting Bearing Factories

Visiting suppliers on an annual basis is critical to maintaining a fluid and consistent relationship with all our customers. This has enabled us to build long-lasting relationships helping to ensure that suppliers are more available and understanding when more complex inquiries occur. This also provides us with the opportunity to see first-hand the factory environments of our suppliers and to ensure manufacturing processes are of the highest quality”.

University placement at Carter Inc. Valuable Experience in External and Internal Sales, Bearing Assembly and Manufacturing

Following on from studying International Business at Nottingham Trent University I worked at Carter Inc. in Michigan where I got the opportunity to assemble bearings and start by working in the workshop and seeing the ‘back-end’ of factory work from assembly to packaging and delivery. Basically, women doing the assembly work and the men operating the machinery. I then moved on to do more business development work where I was given projects on coldcalling potential customers for certain products and industry sectors which Carter Inc. were particularly interested in. I also had the opportunity to do some regional sales where I travelled around Michigan, Chicago, Indiana and Texas for scheduled meetings and drop-ins.

Working in Sales, and Business Development Roles outside

of Carter USA

I began working at Carter UK mainly focussing on the sales inbox and supporting Unasis, Carter’s sister company. The role progressed through to business development once the team expanded and

led me to the position of Head of Sales, managing the sales team and supporting the account and business development managers. Throughout this time I was exposed to many external trips due to it being through the post-Covid period when everyone was keen to meet again. I visited Germany, Sweden and the USA to name a few locations where I was able to optimise business relationships, whilst the team managed the sales inbox back in the UK”.

Joining Carter UK – Progression through the Company

“The company recently expanded by opening new offices in both USA and Spain whilst also increasing our headcount at our UK HQ. The combination of this has meant we’ve gone through an internal re-structure creating an opportunity for more roles and promoting my role up to Sales Director. This means my role is even more varied and has shifted into many different elements of the business where I oversee the Sales Team and delegate down to our Technical Manager who can filter through the requirements and expectations to the Sales Team. My main interest and focus still lies within sales and customer relationships, so I manage my time by reviewing and optimising the Sales Team whilst also managing a select number of key accounts”.

We asked Francesca, Do you feel there were any barriers as a woman?

“There are fewer women employed in the bearing industry, compared to other manufacturing sectors, so initially it can be daunting. I didn’t have a technical upbringing so I’ve had to rely on the engineers to fill the gaps in my knowledge. I think it can be seen as a bit of an old boys club with an assumption that as a woman I don’t know what I’m talking about! But I don’t feel like I’ve ever not been taken seriously because of my gender”.

Do you see growth in women in the bearing industry?

“At the first BearingNet conference in the early 2000’s I can remember seeing roughly four to five women in total, since then the female representation has grown

and grown, probably by as much as three to four times. Looking more locally Elif has recently joined us as the first female Engineer at Carter and I’ve definitely seen progression in the last few years”. To sum up her journey so far and her hopes for the future, Francesca comments, “I can definitely see a movement in the Bearing industry which includes and holds space for more women. It’s definitely inspiring to see this growth and change offering equal opportunities to both males and females and I look forward to seeing what the future holds”.

For enquiries

Call:

Contact: Francesca at: Carter Manufacturing Ltd, Unit 7 Isis Court, Abingdon Business Park, Oxon OX14 1DZ.

UNITED KINGDOM: +44 (0) 1865 821 720 EUROPE: +34 960 130 938

NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA: +1 888 501 5444

E-mail: sales@carterbearings.co.uk

For details, visit: www.carterbearings.co.uk

Francesca Brundell-Romero; Sales Director of Carter Manufacturing

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The Italian Consulting Company Leading in the high precision Bearings, CV-joints and Ball-Screws

ICT srl is an Italian leading consulting company active in the high precision mechanics field, with specific focus on bearings, cv-joint and ball-screws worldwide industries. Founded in 2012 by two professionals of bearings industry with managerial and technical expertise developed within large multinational companies, ICT has soon become leader in providing components (balls, rollers, cages and rings), technologies (grinding and diamond wheels, assembly and control machineries) and technical, organizational and M&A consulting services to more than 130 active worldwide customers each year.

We had the chance to dive into ICT's activities during an interview with the Co-Founder and Director Giuseppe Panaccione.

To learn more about ICT products, services and future plans of growth, we have recently met Giuseppe Panaccione, co-founder and director of the company, in ICT Italian offices

located in Pinerolo (North-West of Italy) in the heart of Italian capital of bearings industry and one of the most important relative industrial districts in Europe.

Dear Mr Panaccione, can you please explain what has been the strategic idea behind ICT company creation and its important growth of last few years?

When in year 2012 we founded ICT, we perceived a clear need for bearings and bearing components industry – both in Europe and in Asia - for a set of

competences that were not immediately available in the organizations of potential clients. I am not talking only about technical know-how of specific manufacturing processes; I am above all referring to overall understanding of the basic methods to manage any company of the industry in a lean and effective way. We imagined and designed ICT as the “vehicle” of 360° knowledge to bring-up promising organizations of the sector towards excellence of performance, with clear and shared strategic vision.

Giuseppe Panaccione; Co-founder and director of ICT

What do you mean for basic methods to manage any company?

In the bearings and bearing components industry most of top managers and entrepreneurs think that the main scope for improvement of their companies resides into introduction of new technologies (e.g., nowadays digitalization is very “cool topic”) or in the fine-tuning of existing technologies, without looking at the whole picture of the equation. This brings them to initiate multiple fragmented activities within the organization without a clear whole vision of what is the target to be reached, i.e. with lack of organic strategy and with losses of effectiveness.

In other words, such managers are often fond of “classical management” (characterized by several hierarchical levels, long decision cycles and through-put times) and have often no interest and intention to leave it (because it maximises their status, rights and privileges) to the advantage for “progressive management” (as for definition of Bob Emiliani). The latter is nothing else than the result of a lean approach to the company value chain, with great consideration to the main company asset of any business organization: the people. Classical managers prefer to blame and judge rather than deeply inquiry into problems and develop people skills and capabilities.

In these last 12 years ICT had been involved in several change programs by customer companies in Europe, in India and in China. Which is the key point for such programs to be successful?

We decide to accept or not to take care of such radical changes programs mostly

looking at the real commitment of the entrepreneur and/or of the top managers of the client company. It is clear to us that without such commitment, any effort would be resultless. Any long-term change program is always a top-down process, never the reverse.

However, such commitment must be evaluated very carefully. What I mean is that many people in top leadership positions do not like problems, because they are “boring” and have the potential to threaten the leaders’ status and influence. Well, behind the nice words that they use to request our advisory services, we assess their real will to dive into the problems in first person with patience (and together with the team), without jumping to solutions and/ or neglecting the opportunities. Without such approach, it doesn’t worth – either for the client or for us – to waste time in any transformation attempt.

What are the key performance indicators that you mainly focus on in such projects? Are they changing case by case or there are common ones to all programs?

Undoubtedly, there are some specificities for each project. However, there are certain simple and key indicators that should never be neglected in transformation of any type of process (not only the manufacturing ones). Allow me to mention one of them that – unfortunately – is always forgotten by the company leaders because considered not so important compared to others: the speed of the process.

To have a very short process throughput time results in great benefits for the company at least in terms of inventory

turns, fast reaction to the market and quick cycle of correction and improvements. At the end of story, all the above results into higher cash availability, better capability to differentiate from competitors and to gain market shares and faster products and process quality improvements. Certainly not a small thing!

Based on ICT experience, which is the hardest part to work on to achieve the expected results in a complex company change program?

To touch technology is relatively easy: it has to do with know-how and, as very last stage, with availability of capitals for investments. What is much more complicated (and important) in any change program is to work on the people mindset, to explain – and to show by facts – that a different way of doing is not only possible, but more effective both in terms of company results and all employees’ satisfaction. Such “brain-washing” process is very difficult, also because influenced by the different cultures of the countries: we understand well it, having been working also in complex contexts like in India and China (he smiles, editor's note).

Everywhere we run such programs, however, we experienced that many middle managers left the company in the initial phases: this is quite physiological, I would say. Much motivating is to see, on the other side, many positive surprises of new leadership profiles with brilliant aptitude coming up in the organization within even only a couple of years.

ICT is also offering components, tooling and machinery to clients. How is it possible for ICT to offer a so wide portfolio of products?

Since the foundation, we had very clear idea to select a small number of long-term partners whom to work with to complete our offer to the high precision mechanics market. We selected them (after visiting in these years more than 200 companies in the world) based on their potential of competitiveness and aptitude to lean growth. In some cases, we helped them to transform their organizations and to train their employees, both blue and white collars. Currently we have 14 partners (between Italy, India, China and South Korea) that allow ICT – together with our 15 engineers, technicians and chartered accountants between company employees and collaborators - to support customers as single contact point for a wide variety of products, machinery and services.

Why any bearings, cv-joints and ballscrews company in the world should consider to buy products and/or services from ICT?

One of the primary reasons why clients should consider buying services and products from ICT is the company's commitment to provide added value and quality even beyond the same intentions and understanding of the clients themselves.

Through the reach professional expertise of all ICT engineers and the know-how of our long-term partners, in fact, we are able to provide new solutions to the customers expectations. Of course, I am referring here not only to all the company change programs that we run in these years by a dozen of customers of ours, but also to the specific new designs of bearing cages or grinding wheels or special balls that we have been developing on behalf of the clients. They are few clear examples of application of our philosophy to be competitive in front of our clients on

the total cost of the process and not on purchasing price of the goods/services.

Any other reason?

Yes, together with our own long-term partners ICT has developed in these years a unique mix of processes/products/ applications competences and worldwide business and technical relationships that may represent an unbelievable plus to the customers. This is really the “secret” for our professionals in providing clients with the best possible advisory, always aiming to build long-term relationships and to work closely with them to understand their unique needs and requirements. In other words, we daily work to be recognized as value providers, studying and implementing even innovative technical and logistic solutions to generate competitive advantage. However, there is a risk in all this …

What are the ICT plans for the future? At least for the part that you can disclose to our readers.

Well, what I can disclose is our intention to further focus the whole organization and business strategy to be closer and closer to our long-term customers, everywhere they are based. We will reinforce further our capability to serve them at 360°, deserving the trust that they reserve to us.

Does ICT aim to company growth? Are you interested also in acquisitions of other business?

Yes, we aim to continue company sustainable growth in the next years. We do think that such growth must be founded on our key technical and

business skills of our reference industries and may be implemented also through strategic acquisitions and partnerships that can provide further value to our valued customers. Furthermore, we do understand that - to be a real global player in the market - ICT needs to have a global footprint (both indirectly through our long-term partners and directly with our employees, collaborators and shareholdings): we are looking all around and we are open to intercept any good acquisition opportunity that marries our strategy and leverages our strengths.

Which type of business are you considering for your M&A activities?

Of course we are interested in manufacturing high precision products, those ones whose tolerances are expressed in fractions of microns. We look for nonrepetitive high series manufacturing of top quality bearing components where we can put in place our strong competences of flow management, lean methods and quality focus. We are convinced to have important strengths to bring value addition to potential new partners in such contexts.

More information about ICT components, tooling, machinery and consulting services can be available on the company websites www.consulting-trading.com and www. ict-advisorydivision.com or writing to info@consulting-trading.com.

reach milestone to decarbonize bearing production and voestalpine

Annika Ölme; CTO and Senior Vice President, Technology Development, at SKF.

SKF and voestalpine Wire Technology, a subsidiary of the leading steel and technology group voestalpine, have successfully produced the first prototype bearing made from steel that contains hydrogen direct reduced iron (H-DRI). This represents a breakthrough in the efforts to decarbonize bearing production as H-DRI is a low emission alternative to conventional iron ore-based steelmaking and one of the important methods to make steel sustainable in the future.

SKF and voestalpine have been working together since 2022 to explore the possibilities of using H-DRI steel for bearing applications. By using H-DRI steel, SKF and voestalpine Wire Technology aim to meet the demand for green steel and thereby contribute to the global efforts to combat climate change.

The Spherical roller bearing prototype was handed over to voestalpine Wire Technology

at SKF’s factory in Steyr, Austria. Spherical roller bearings can be used in many different applications and industries, such as marine, pulp and paper production, mining and construction.

“Steel is a critical raw material in bearings, and to achieve the change and speed needed in decarbonizing bearing production, the whole industry must

come together. Our collaboration with voestalpine is a tangible example of how we are working together and transforming ideas into actions towards a more circular industrial development. This technology is fundamental for the steel industry to be able to decarbonize with confidence,” says Annika Ölme, CTO and Senior Vice President, Technology Development, at SKF.

For voestalpine Wire Technology the partnership with SKF marks a milestone in the development of eco-friendly steel production technologies. By successfully integrating green steel solutions into the bearing production process, voestalpine Wire Technology is demonstrating its commitment to reducing CO2 emissions. This innovation, developed in collaboration with SKF, represents a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to make the steel industry more sustainable.

SKF is also increasing its use of steel production processes with low CO2 emissions (such as scrap based Electric Arc Furnace production) from its suppliers. In 2021, SKF became a member of the SteelZero and the ResponsibleSteel initiatives, joining other like-minded businesses in showing a clear commitment to decarbonizing the steel industry by 2050 and advocating for the changes needed to make that happen.

Annika Ölme; CTO and Senior Vice President, Technology Development, at SKF.

The role of ultrasound in Maintenance 4.0 Enabling Bearing Predictive Maintenance

Industry 4.0, the ongoing digital transformation of manufacturing, emphasizes intelligent machines, data-driven decision-making, and interconnected operations.

Maintenance 4.0 will be a fundamental part of this revolution and maintenance teams will need to shift from reactive maintenance (fixing problems after they occur) to predictive maintenance (anticipating and preventing failures). We will take a close look at how ultrasound sensors and data-collection instruments will play a key role in this shift to Maintenance 4.0.

Maintenance 4.0: the role of Ultrasound in Bearing Condition Monitoring

In the era of Maintenance 4.0, ultrasound technology emerges as a critical tool for pinpointing bearing health. Ultrasound excels at detecting subtle changes, like increased bearing friction - a telltale sign of bearing wear, bearing damage or even lubrication deficiencies.

By capturing these early warnings, ultrasound empowers proactive maintenance strategies. Technicians can address lubrication issues before they escalate, preventing costly breakdowns and maximizing equipment lifespan.

Ultrasound's Applications and Advantages: Shining a Light on Hidden Issues

Ultrasound proves particularly valuable in

several key areas of Maintenance 4.0 and has some unique strenghts:

• Bearing Condition Monitoring – Earliest Warning of Failure: Ultrasound effectively identifies bearing wear, lubrication deficiencies and other issues by simply monitoring any increase in friction. This allows for corrective actions before breakdowns occur or even before failure itself.

• Optimizing Lubrication: Did you know that 60% to 80% of bearing failures are related to poor lubrication? Ultrasound helps assess lubrication effectiveness, ensuring optimal performance and extending equipment life. Ultrasound instruments will also help maintenance technicians to be sure they apply only the right amount of lubricant, avoiding the very common problem of over-lubrication.

• Monitoring Slow Speed Bearings: Traditional vibration analysis often struggles with slow-speed machinery. Since ultrasound will monitor any increase in friction, it is very effective in monitoring the health of these critical components.

Using Ultrasound-based solutions for early failure detection: Cases & Examples

1. Bearing Fatigue Detected in a Flour Milling Plant

A flour milling facility invested in placing ultrasound sensors on multiple critical bearings. The sensors are connected to a data processing unit – called the 4Cast –which then connects to a data management software. This setup makes it possible for the maintenance team to be notified via email or SMS as soon as the 4Cast detects that a certain bearing has reached an alarm

level – it is possible to setup low level and high level alarms.

Because the idea was to monitor critical bearings, the maintenance team decided to let the system warn them as soon as a low alarm level is achieved. We can see in this image how the dB readings from this bearing, belonging to a sifter, kept hitting the low alarm and would not stay below the baseline level. The team decided to take a better look into the sound file from this bearing, and this is how it looked like.

When compared to a sound recording from a bearing whose readings were according to baseline, it became very clear that the bearing had some sort of defect. Notice the difference in amplitude between the spectrum of these sound files. The team decided to tear the 35 cm. bearing apart to confirm the damage, finding clear signs of bearing fatigue, observed in both the outer race and the rolling elements.

2. Critical bearing failure at a pulp and paper plant

Usually, in pulp and paper plants we will find a wash floor or wash area, where the paper comes through to be thoroughly cleaned / bleached. That job is done by a machine called a bleach decker, which is considered a critical and fundamental piece of equipment for production operations.

In this particular plant, which has a predictive maintenance program in place, it was decided to invest in online monitoring for these machines, using ultrasound sensors. This machine has 4 bearings, of about 120 cm diameter, rotating at 3 RPM. The online monitoring system (4Cast) received an unusual decibel reading from one of the ultrasonic sensors. The NDE (nondrive-end) bearing of this bleach decker was registering 17dB when, normally, a bearing rotating at such slow speeds like 3RPM should simply show a 0dB reading. This triggered the system to immediately alert the maintenance team. In this case, and even though the machine was apparently working as expected, the sound file spectrum showed a very different story.

The peaks shown in this sound sample clearly indicate a problem with the bearing. Also, when reproducing the sound file, we

could very clearly hear the impact noises.

ISTANBUL

25 - 27 May 2025

's OPTIME helps prevent unplanned downtime at UK limestone plant

• OPTIME wireless condition monitoring sensors are installed at the Tarmac Tunstead limestone plant to continuously monitor critical machines and auxiliary units.

• A total of 150 OPTIME sensors monitor a range of rotating equipment at the plant including pumps, motors, fans, blowers and feed conveyors.

— OPTIME wireless condition monitoring sensors are installed at the Tarmac Tunstead limestone plant to continuously monitor critical machines and auxiliary units.

• OPTIME provides early warning of any potential issues, allowing maintenance to make repairs in a structured, planned way before the equipment breaks down.

Schaeffler’s OPTIME wireless condition monitoring solution is helping prevent unplanned downtime of machines and auxiliary equipment at the Tarmac Tunstead limestone plant near Buxton, Derbyshire. The site benefits from the early detection of equipment failures, as the OPTIME app keeps the maintenance team informed on the condition of the machines at all times, without them having to take manual readings.

Tarmac, a CRH company, is a producer of sustainable building materials and construction solutions. Tarmac Tunstead is home to one of the largest limestone quarries in Europe. Limestone is heated in kilns to extremely high temperatures to induce a chemical reaction that produces calcium oxide or quicklime. Quicklime is used in iron and steel manufacturing and for the production of aerated concrete blocks. It can also be processed into hydrated lime, which is used in a wide range of industries including construction and civil engineering, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, and water.

Challenge

Prior to installing OPTIME, for more than 10 years the plant has relied on route-based condition monitoring services provided by Schaeffler UK. Every two months, a Schaeffler field service engineer would visit the site to take vibration measurements on a variety of critical plant and equipment to identify any deterioration of rolling bearings and other general mechanical components such as gears and fan blades. Although this approach worked very well, it relied too much on time-based maintenance and was more ‘reactive’ than ‘proactive’. The maintenance team was also ready to embrace the latest condition monitoring technology and to take more ownership of the data rather than rely on data analysis reports from Schaeffler every two months. They preferred a condition monitoring solution that could provide measurement data on a continuous basis, which would help prevent unplanned failure of auxiliary units such as pumps, fans and motors, which otherwise could quickly shut down an entire production line and incur high costs.

Easily scalable, wireless solution

Working together with the customer and understanding the needs of the application, Schaeffler’s experts recommended OPTIME, an easily scalable wireless condition monitoring solution consisting of wireless sensors, a gateway (routers with SIM cards) and digital services based on proprietary Schaeffler algorithms.

In 2021, a total of 50 OPTIME sensors – a mix of OPTIME 3 and OPTIME 5 sensors – were installed on 25 machines. Schaeffler helped identify which machines and equipment would be most suitable for monitoring. The site’s maintenance team then installed the OPTIME sensors themselves.

Simon Hackney, Reliability Systems Engineer at Tarmac Tunstead comments: “We find the OPTIME sensors easy to set up and the gateways work within an environment where we don’t have a reliable mobile phone signal. The notification and alarm system are good at identifying any

issues. The OPTIME app and web platform is easy to use and navigate, while we also have the option of asking Schaeffler to analyse any measurement results. Schaeffler has provided full support throughout the whole process. We initially installed OPTIME in one area of our plant but have since rolled the sensors out to different areas where we feel they would be of benefit.”

The plant has rolled out OPTIME to its hydration plant and to the nearby Hindlow quarry. A total of 150 OPTIME sensors have now been installed, which monitor a wide variety of machines and rotating equipment, including electric motors, pumps, fans, blowers, gearboxes, compressors, feed conveyors and general bearing assemblies –in both indoor and outdoor areas. The plant is open to the elements, so the OPTIME sensors must withstand these harsh, dusty environments.

OPTIME is an end-to-end solution that comprises all the necessary hardware and sensors, as well as data collection from the machines. This data is then sent to the Schaeffler Cloud, which is where Schaeffler algorithms are applied. The data analyses are automatically sent to the Tunstead

maintenance team via the OPTIME mobile phone app. If any issues are detected, alarms are sent, allowing maintenance to check those issues on their daily walk-around. Automating the data measurement process using OPTIME hasn’t meant replacing any labour at the plant either; OPTIME works alongside the engineers, telling them where they should focus their attention.

Numerous benefits

Now provided with continuous measurement data from OPTIME, the plant is building a comprehensive history of data on how the machines and equipment operate over time and which maintenance or repairs they need to perform next –making maintenance more efficient.

Hackney continues: “The OPTIME system continuously monitors our equipment so that if we do notice any changes in the trends, we can complement this information with other condition monitoring techniques such as ultrasound or handheld vibration analysis, as required, to confirm what we are seeing. We then take the appropriate action.” Cost savings have also been made. For

example, some large fans at the plant were being balanced by an external thirdparty every four to six weeks. Rather than continue to pay for these services, the plant now waits for the OPTIME data to advise them when the fans need balancing, extending the time interval between servicing – moving from a time-based maintenance approach to a predictive one.

As Simon Hackney concludes: “We have identified issues through OPTIME and repaired the plant in a structured, planned way, preventing the equipment breaking down and causing unplanned downtime. We are still learning reaction times [what priority/severity to assign to an alarm] when we do see issues, but are confident this will develop over time.”

OPTIME is part of the Schaeffler Lifetime Solutions portfolio, which offers a comprehensive range of products, services and solutions for industrial maintenance. It is designed to support maintenance engineers over the entire lifetime of a machine.

www.schaeffler.co.uk

— The Tarmac Tunstead site is home to one of the largest limestone quarries in Europe.

— OPTIME sensors monitor a variety of rotating equipment such as motors, pumps, fans and blowers.

Software Version 06/2024 is available

General Extensions

Visualization of 3D-Graphics is now done using OpenGL 4 which allows to draw curves shapes. Cylinders for shafts or 3D-meshes with quadratic elements can now be shown including the curves shapes.

A new version of the MESYS shaft and rolling bearing analysis software including new functionality is available. The bearing analysis software allows the calculation of the load distribution within the bearing and bearing life according to ISO/TS 16281 and it is integrated in a shaft system calculation with additional possibilities like modal analysis, strength calculation for shafts and interfaces to gear calculations. Currently the software is used by customers in 32 countries on 4 continents. — Click on it to watch or visit this address. https://www.mesys.ag/?p=2737

The bearing databases from SKF and NSK are updated. They include only catalog data. A new bearing database from Napoleon Engineering Services is added and includes encrypted internal geometry for split inner ring three-point bearings. The databases from CSC and HQW/Barden containing internal geometry are unchanged to the previous version. Additional encrypted databases containing internal geometry are available from GMN, IBC, SPL and GRW, but have to be requested from the manufacturer.

In the status bar of the software a new switch showing ‘M’ or ‘A’ was added, which allows an automatic run of the calculation after each change of inputs. All results including graphics are updated. This allows to see quickly what effect variations have on the results.

In the statistical parameter variations in addition to the diagrams for probability distributions now also cumulative distributions are shown.

— Cumulative distribution in the statistical parameter variation

Extensions in the Bearing Calculation

The bearing databases can now include values for preload forces for up to four preload classes for angular contact bearings. Several new diagrams are added like for contact dimension showing half axes and areas for contact ellipses and for film parameter and lubricant film thickness. The multi-layer interference fit now also includes tolerances instead of a single value for interference.

Until now the profiles for rollers and races had to be defined over the same effective roller length. Now the profiles for rollers and races can be defined over different length between effective and total roller length. This allows to take undercut into account on one raceway and a longer contact length on the second raceway.

Extensions in the Shaft Calculation

In the shaft calculation now several load spectra can be defined and easily selected for the calculation.

The line load distribution of cylindrical gears is dependent on misalignments in the system. It can be flank-line deviations of the gears or parallelism errors of the shafts. These errors can be defined in the system and evaluated with the full system. This is also the most accurate approach. A simplified approach can be used like ISO 6336 method B for face load factor, where the misalignments are only considered in the gear contact and not on the shaft deflections. The line load is calculated with an additional misalignment ‘fma’ considering only the gear mesh stiffness with constant tilting angles of the gears.

A shaft is stiffened by a gear body and the gear body geometry also affects the line load distribution in the gear contact. The two options for stiffening of the shaft by the gear are extended to five options now and can use a 3D-FEA mesh to consider

the gear body stiffness. A simple rotation symmetric gear body geometry can now be defined at the load element, for complex geometries still the 3D-elastic parts option can be used.

For sections on the shaft previously six stiffness values were provided for the three displacements and three rotations. Now full stiffness and compliance matrices are available in the result tables. In addition to cut views with a quarter cut-out now also a 180° cut-out is possible and custom cut directions can be defined for imported housings. A cut-view of imported 3D-elastic parts is now also shown in the 3D-views.

—

The CAD-Import for 3D-elastic parts now saved the imported STEP file within the calculation. It will then be used for remeshing and for 3D-export of the system. To reduce the file size or to avoid sharing the CAD file, the saved CAD file can be removed under settings of the 3D-elastic part.

—Definition of profiles using different length

— Profile diagram with different length for inner and outer race contact

— Several load spectra can now be saved in one calculation

— Line load distribution with variations because of mesh misalignment fma

— Simple parametric definition of rotation symmetric gear bodies.

— Cut view of imported 3D-elastic parts in the 2D-view

Different cut-views for 3D-elastic parts are now supported

The surface mesh can be generated as a second order mesh on the CAD import now. This improves the accuracy if a second order mesh is selected for calculation afterwards. All nodes will then be on a cylinder, not only the corner nodes of the elements. The disadvantage is the increased file size. A second order mesh requires four times the size of a linear mesh. For large element sizes the outside geometry still looks like a circle instead of a polygon in case of a second order mesh generated on the import.

A 3D-elastic part can now be connected to an 1D-shaft using elastic surfaces instead of just using connections by central nodes. For bearings with elastic rings on a 3D-elastic parts also additional axial contacts are considered using elastic faces instead of central nodes.

New features in version 06/2024:

� Automatic run of calculation on charge of inputs

� Cumulative distributions in statistical variations

� Different length of profiles for roller and races

� Support for multiple load spectra in shaft calculation

� Considering of mesh misalignment in gear line load

� Easy definition of symmetric gear bodies

� Second order meshing on STEP imports

� Cut views for imported 3D-elastic parts

— Meshing of a cylinder using quadratic or linear elements

We4Ce patents its Re-FIT blade root bushings, meeting demand for on-site repair

• 60 percent cost-savings in large-scale repair

• Months of downtime eliminated

• Affordable lifetime extension, supporting environment

• Demand for onsite repair rising, also offshore

• Load-bearing on one bushing is 1000 kN equivalent to 50 Tesla cars

• Safety-critical component for bolts to connect with hub

• Loose bushings can result

in blade falling off or worse, turbine collapse

We4Ce, a Dutch supplier of rotor blade bushings, has this month filed an international patent for its “Re-FIT” bushings for on-site repair in the wind park. The new method offers up to 60 percent cost savings and eliminates months of downtime. Older turbines benefit from extended turbine lifetime as repair at the manufacturer or scrapping - the conventional alternatives - are no longer needed. A safety-critical component, blade root bushings, also called inserts, connects the rotor blade with the turbine hub.

“Damage to blade root bushings is enough of a problem to warrant more research. We believe this issue is rising, also in offshore turbines. It affects turbines of all ages, from 1.5 MW to 3 MW and 40-m to 60-m blade lengths. Usually, it occurs after the warranty period,” says Arnold Timmer, managing director of We4Ce.

Glued into the blade during manufacture, defect bushings are complex to remove and insert to precision. A replacement bushing needs not only a strong mechanical connection but also a reliable and uniform bonding to fix the bushing within the blade, the crux of We4Ce’s patent.

The Re-FIT method is ideal for turbines with 40-60 percent of lifetime left but can be used for newer turbines. Repair costs at the manufacturer are high, and add to that the additional transport costs and longer downtime of the turbine. Older blade models are not always available, which means the whole wind turbine is sometimes discarded and this is an environmental concern.

Arnold Timmer, Managing director of We4Ce

With the new repair method, the rotor blade is dismounted on-site and repaired in the wind park. The damaged bushings are extracted and replaced using precision machining. Multiple blade sets can be repaired within weeks.

Previously, the entire blade was shipped to the manufacturer for repair with the associated costly logistics, CO2 emissions and downtime, a significant loss of annual yield.

The patent covers the bonding method and design. An inlet tube placed into the hollow of the bushing is used to infuse epoxy resin into the extremities of the bushing where a proprietary steel resin dispenser has been fixed. The resin is then evenly distributed around the outside of the bushing using vacuum processing, which allows the bonding material to flow uniformly up towards the flange of the bushing. The chosen diameter of the circular dispenser aids the centering and precise placement of the component, previously a challenge.

We4Ce’s repairs offer up to 60 percent savings compared with the cost of a new blade. The solution is suitable for wind parks with more than 10 damaged blade

roots. This calculation includes the setup costs and use of a specialized CNC on-site machine drilling out the damaged inserts. Loose bushings are usually detected during inspection of the blade root connection. Cracks in the sealant between pitch bearing and blade root can indicate a loose bushing.

"The Re-FIT method is ideal for turbines with 40-60 percent of lifetime left but can be used for newer turbines. Repair costs at the manufacturer are high, and add to that the additional transport costs and longer downtime of the turbine. Older blade models are not always available, which means the whole wind turbine is sometimes discarded and this is an environmental concern,” adds Timmer.

As the wind industry is calling for a ban on the landfilling of decommissioned blades from 2025, the new repair solution from We4Ce is expected to be a valuable alternative to scrapping.

Loose bushings affect root integrity; the blade can fall off

Bushings are an important structural load-bearing component, which connects the blade to the wind turbine hub via bolts. Each bushing must have sufficient bonding strength capable of withstanding forces of up to 1000kN, the equivalent force of up to 50 passenger cars pulling the blade at the same time.

“If the bushing is not robustly fixed, the load carrying area is reduced. This

weakens the connection. Invariably this increases stresses which ultimately reduces blade lifetime,” explains Timmer.

Root causes of damaged bushings

Before accepting a repair job, We4Ce performs a root cause analysis, the company’s core competence.

“Polyester used as interface material to embed the bushing into the blade during manufacture is more susceptible to shrinkage, compared with epoxy resin. If the polyester has not been distributed uniformly around the insert, microcracks can occur and this reduces the bonding surface,” says Timmer.

“Previously, blades were manufactured with higher reserve factors. If this margin for error is reduced for economy reasons, this results in a lower tolerance to variations in loads on-site and in manufacturing,” concludes Timmer.

We4Ce works with Danish CNC Onsite, a company specializing in precision machining of wind turbine components, to offer a combined repair service.

Contact

We4Ce B.V. Twentepoort Oost 53a 7609 RG Almelo

The Netherlands

Phone: +31 (0)546 - 45 27 22

E-mail: info@we4ce.eu

To

ensure that BearingNews and Motion+Drives magazines are doing their part to protect the environment, the parent company, iMotion Media, has developed a strategy to offset the carbon footprint of its printed magazines. The twofold approach includes a fully supported tree planting campaign in conjunction with each newly released edition, and the use of recycled paper in the printing process.

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword. Members of the global community have become increasingly aware of human impact on the environment. As a result, a massive movement is driving private sector companies to responsibly manage their environmental, economic, and social resources to safeguard the well-being of future generations.

The term ‘sustainability’ encompasses a large swath of efficiency objectives that aim to go beyond the thresholds of carbon neutrality. Companies must fulfill further economic and social obligations by devising less wasteful practices. When discussing the printing

of magazines, there is long-term value achieved by responsibly implementing environmentally friendly solutions associated with the use of paper. The paper industry has focused its efforts on the sustainability of raw materials, processes, and products. Highlighted within the industry’s strategy is the promotion of sustainable forestry practices and responsibly harvesting renewable raw materials. Tree planting is considered one of the most effective ways to combat global warming, as forests naturally reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by removing it from the air through photosynthesis. In line with this strategy, iMotion Media has adopted ‘tree planting for

reforestation’ as the most effective method to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the printing and distribution of Bearing News and Motion+Drives magazines. In careful coordination with the release of each printed edition, a tree planting campaign will be launched to help restore forests and offset the use of natural wood materials used in paper production. In addition, iMotion Media is supporting the use of recycled paper in the printing process to reduce dependence on new materials. It will also continue to promote the currently available digital magazine options.

Thanks to the use of recycled paper and certified companies dedicated to carefully managing wood harvesting, there has been a decline in global

deforestation. And while there are positives to both recycled paper and the responsible production of new paper, recycled material contributes significantly more to global social and economic sustainability goals.

iMotion Media is happy to be a part of a forward-thinking movement with ambitions for a greener future. Through its broad reach within the Bearing, Power Transmission, and Motion Control Industries, iMotion Media intends to create an infectious optimism that will compound progress towards greater sustainability.

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