In an initiative set to be transformational for ship design while protecting the oceans from pollution, Thordon Bearings and Wärtsilä have announced the formation of the Blue Ocean Alliance to develop and promote the revolutionary sterntube-less ship concept. The Blue Ocean Alliance brings together unrivaled maritime industry expertise, with seawater-lubricated bearings pioneer Thordon Bearings, systems […]
Thordon’s Thorplas-blue bearing wins award
Thordon Bearings’ ThorPlas-Blue grease-free bearings won the annual IBJ Environment Protection (Marine) Award 2023 during a gala dinner last night hosted by British comedian Hugh Dennis and International Bulk Journal publisher Ray Girvan. Thordon Bearings was also nominated in the Innovative Technology Award category for the same product. Designed and developed by Thordon, the polymer […]
Advantages of plastic bushings
As outlined above, composite plastic bushings often outperform metal bushings. Some of the other advantages of using composite plastic bushings in place of metal bushings include: Customizable composites to meet different engineering criteria. Plastic bushings are chemical resistant, resist high temperatures up to +482°F, and are lubrication- and maintenance-free. They are available at a low […]
Why do plastic bushings outperform metal bushings?
Composite plastic bushings consist of thermoplastic alloys and solid lubricants with the addition of a fiber matrix for reinforcement. They are made from a wide range of low-cost plastics (such as nylon, UHMW, polyethylene, and Teflon) and more costly, high-performance plastics (such as Vespel, PEEK, and Torlon) for applications involving higher temperatures or greater loads. […]
Synthetic eals behind increase in stern tube seal failures
Seawater-lubricated bearings pioneer Thordon Bearings has welcomed the publication of Gard’s latest research into the potential hidden costs of synthetic Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs). Far-reaching financial and environmental consequences can result when a propeller shaft seal failure occurs, with the Norway-headquartered marine insurance firm pointing to a “significant increase” in propeller shaft aft seal damage […]
New elevator stages with 40 mm of vertical travel
Four new motorized elevator stages, the DAG40-200 series have been released by Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES). High precision ball bearing profile rails assure very high parallelism and smooth motion throughout the raising and lowering of the 200 mm x 200 mm table. These high-resolution, compact, low-profile elevator stages feature 40 mm of vertical travel […]
Selecting the right bearings for ultra-high vacuum chambers
Contamination in a vacuum chamber can result in dangerous chemical reactions and unwanted side effects. The Princeton University Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) highlights that vacuum work can lead to implosions and potential dangers of airborne contaminants, glass, chemicals splattering, and fire. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, […]
World’s largest copper producer and new Vesconite Hilube bushings
The leading global copper producer has achieved exceptional results through the implementation of Vesconite Hilube wear-resistant bushings on load haul dump machines (LHDs). Departing from traditional bronze bushings, the mining company’s adoption of Vesconite Hilube on Sandvik and Caterpillar LHD booms has led to an unprecedented increase in bushing lifespan, exceeding their initial expectations. Previously, […]
the Vesconite Hilube needle-bearing kit by VesArg
VesArg, the Argentinian distributor of Vesconite, Vesconite Hilube, and Vesconite Superlube low-friction bearing materials, is proud to announce the acceptance of the Vesconite Hilube needle-bearing kit for the Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo, with VesArg having sold 500 kits for these vehicles in the last two years. This innovative solution addresses the recurring problem of […]
Emerson Bearing shares 3 key factors in machine tool bearing selection
Emerson Bearing, a Boston, MA-based bearing company catering to niche markets nationwide and the sister company of Action Bearing which serves the New England market, shares 3 factors for spindle bearing success in machine tool applications. Today’s machine tools rely on various specialized components that allow them to operate smoothly and efficiently while holding tight […]
Green electricity from traditional windmills
In the past, traditional windmills drove mill grinders and irrigation pumps, but in the future, they will produce green energy. For this purpose, students at the HTWG Konstanz, a university of applied sciences, are installing high-tech components. igus is supporting the Sailwind 4 project with €10,000 ($10,550) and providing the young engineers with lubrication-free linear […]
Easy mounting and dismounting with powerful portable multi-purpose induction heater
Bega Special Tools introduces a portable multi-purpose induction heater on the North American market. The MF Quick-Heater 3.0-3.5 kW can be used for mounting, dismounting and pre-heating purposes. Weighing less than 8 kg and fitting in a small carrying case, this easy-to-use but powerful tool is just plugged into the mains 230 V. It can […]
igus introduces new plain bearing made of plastic regranulate
The motion plastics specialist igus® has introduced a new plain bearing made from recycled plastic. The bearing, iglide® ECO P210, is a chemical-resistant variant that has been added to the company’s iglide ECO series. The iglide ECO series is manufactured using regranulate made from the sprue and defective injection-molded parts produced by igus. This allows […]
Bearings from NKE Austria for railway traction motors and gearboxes
NKE Austria GmbH presents its bearings for railway applications. The bearings are used in traction motors and locomotive gearboxes as well as in railcars, trams, and underground trains. When designing a rail vehicle, it is essential to consider factors such as loads, speeds, torques, and installation space. These factors must be considered also when selecting […]
Enhancing industrial drone operations
The integration of drones in manufacturing is on the cusp of a significant transformation. Commercial and private deployment of airborne drones is revolutionizing many industries, and the global commercial market is expected to reach an impressive £15 billion. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings explains why precision bearings will play a pivotal role […]
Weighing up the hybrid bearing debate
The best cyclists have a very special mindset, which allows them to focus on the bike and the road, without distraction, ignoring tailwind, overlooking the rain, appreciating the uphill. These escapes from reality are often beneficial, but there are some misconceptions in cycling that aren’t as helpful. Here Chris Johnson, managing director of bike bearings […]
Automation in the food service industry with igus: Space saver for cramped spaces
It conjures up fresh and healthy dishes without human assistance and is intended to relieve restaurateurs of the pressure of the shortage of skilled workers: the robotic kitchen from the French company Cook-e. So that the electromechanical cooking artist can also swing the pots in restaurants with little space, the developers rely on compact and […]
Seawater-lubricated propeller shafts built to ClassNK rules
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems. The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and sterntubes, subject […]
new bearing upgrade kit for the turbocharged engines
Canada’s Marsh Brothers Aviation (“Marsh Brothers”) has unveiled an innovative new bearing upgrade kit for the turbocharged engines on the Piper Aerostar aircraft. Developed to boost bearing reliability and reduce replacement intervals, Marsh Brothers Aviation’s Aerostar Turbo Cross Shaft (TCS) Bearing Block Kit is the first upgrade solution to incorporate one of the company’s newest […]
Can your clutch bearing save you $200,000?
A wood products company hired a compressed air auditor to check out its system and try to discover why it now needed to run three compressors rather than the normal two units that previously satisfied the plant demand. The auditor placed instruments on their system to measure pressure, power, temperature, and flow — and quickly […]
New two-component injection-molded heavy-duty plain bearings from igus for high mechanical loads
igus, a leading global manufacturer of engineered components to increase the service life of customers’ machines, has introduced a new two-component injection-molded heavy-duty plain bearing for high mechanical loads. A first for the construction machinery and agricultural machinery industry: With the new iglide Q3E plain bearings, igus has, for the first time, found a way […]
Bearing selection crucial to vertical turbine pump performance
Delegates at an international water industry conference learned that bearing selection plays a critical role in vertical turbine pump (VTP) performance, and that application, medium, and bearing material should also be considered during pump manufacturing or refurbishment. “The selection of the most appropriate material for bearings is one of the most important factors affecting pump […]
Maintenance-free performance in underwater conditions with igus
Did you know that iglide plastic bushings and drylin linear plain bearings are the perfect fit for marine applications? Not only do they have embedded solid lubricants, eliminating the need for messy external oil or grease, but they are also corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free. Whether you’re in wet or saltwater environments, our iglide and drylin bearings […]
Emerson Bearing announces customized bearings and components
Emerson Bearing, a Boston, MA-based bearing company catering to niche markets nationwide and the sister company of Action Bearing which serves the New England market, supports the unique needs of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) markets across the nation with customized bearings and components. “Every application has unique needs and […]
New AOPS bearing deal for Thordon
Thordon Bearings has been awarded a contract to supply seawater-lubricated bearings for installation to the first of two modified versions of the Harry DeWolf-class of Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS). The new ships for the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) are on order and will be built at Irving Shipbuilding’s Halifax Shipyard. The CCG AOPS […]