MechChem Africa March 2020

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪

The third stage is to apply the lubrication and fit conditions. SimPro Quick allows the user to define the lubrication method and type, oil viscosity and contamination level. All lubrication properties affect outputs, such as relubrication interval for greases and bearing friction. Once these steps have been completed, SimProQuick carries out ananalysis of themodel. Here, users can runa single (data set) analysis or several conditions at once (load cycle analysis) based on defined operating boundaries. A time weight portion can be applied to each step, which is useful when determining bearing life over several different operating conditions. The output of the analysis includes data tables and visuals that enable the user to create a preferred template set-up for the report. These might show factors such as bearing loads, operating internal clearances, friction, misalignment, deflection and SKF rating life. For now, all modelling is done within the program itself. SKF has added a CAD import functionality, which allows users to import a CAD design into SimPro Quick. Other features include visual plots and animations, including a shaft deflection plot. “In one case, a manufacturer of high-end textile machinery used SimPro Quick to increase the speed and accuracy with which it designed bearing arrangements. Running accuracy of the bearings was critical to the overall performance. Using SKF SimPro Quick helped the company speed up its design process, while evaluating an optimal bearing arrangement without external help. “This was due in part to the user-friendliness of the software, combinedwith its advanced analysis capabilities. The embedded e-Learning module made an intuitive piece of software even easier tounderstand, allowing the user toquickly startmodelling relevant bearing arrangements,” says Serrano. Load sensing bearings Software isn’t the only area where SKF is demonstrating digital innovation. Lars Kahlman, senior applications expert at SKF’s Drives Competence Center in Sweden, describes the work SKF is doing in the pumps and compressors department. Designers can now accelerate the design cycle by analysing bearing loads quickly and accurately with the addition of fibre optic based load sensing bearings for pumps and compressors. “SKF has released the world’s first commercial load sensing bearing based on its proprietary fibre optic sensing technology; a technology, which is part of a long term strategic technical product development,” says Kahlman. “Similar to the SimPro Quick technology, the SKF Load Sensing Bearing for pumps and compressors takes the guesswork out of product development.” According to Kahlman the product is helping to speed up the design and verification process, by giving instant access to a variety of bearing data. This includes for example

ing optimised design, lower development costs, shorter designcycleand theability todigitalise the design and verification process. OEMs and end-users can use

the tool when testing and install- ingnewequipmenttocheckthat the correct load and lubrica- tion requirements have been defined and are not ex- ceeded in the real installation. “Understanding bearing loads is essential in the de- signof rotating equipment such as pumps.” explains Kahlman. “SKF has, through extensive testing campaigns and simula-

SKF Agri Hubs solution with a bearing and seal integrated in one housing for tillage.

tions, developed algorithms that make the technology really accurate and robust. Because it takes accurate strain measurements directly within the bearing, our Load Sensing Bearing provides access to data that until now has been difficult to access. “The new sensing bearings are safe to use in hazardous environments as signal data is transferred at high-speeds by lowpower in optical fibre rather than as electrical signals, making the system immune to electromagnetic fields. It also enables robust remote monitoring where wireless technol- ogy cannot be used as the optical fibres can transmit signals over very long distances,” he concludes. Customers can access SimPro Quick through a local SKF contact to request a license, or by registering through SKF’s website – after which the request will be passed on to a local SKF representative. q

axial versus radial loads, polar lots of the bearing´s internal strain field, strain spectra, loaddirections, speedof rota- tions and temperature. The first product streamlines the creation of rotating products such as pumps, using angular contact ball bearings. In it, SKF enables real-time measurement of bearing loads using fibre optic sensing. The bearings, which are inter- changeable with conventional bearings, offer several benefits to designers and test engineers, includ-

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