With an “all-hands on deck” approach to maintenance today, engineers require the latest tools and technologies in the form of new software/apps to make MRO tasks easier. Turns out, technology is allowing your smartphones, tablets and computers to track bearing reliability and performance with an emphasis on sustainability, longevity and analysis.

Vesconite Bearings, a global supplier of bearing and wear materials located in Johannesburg, South Africa, is taking strides towards sustainability and environmental responsibility by implementing a comprehensive solar energy solution. The initiative, spearheaded by Factory Manager Robin Crabb and CEO Dr Jean-Patrick Leger, involves a significant investment in solar infrastructure to reduce the factory’s reliance on the power grid and make substantial progress in becoming more environmentally friendly.

CES 2024 boasted 4,300+ exhibitors, including a record 1,400+ startups from around the globe. The event continued to showcase the innovative trends shaping our future.

How does one accurately examine the components in a robotic arm or prosthetic leg? There’s not exactly time (nor space) to set up multiple cameras to track deformation or changes in shape of soft components.

The Dune Express is a 42-mile long, fully electric conveyor system that is expected to transform the Permian Basin and substantially improve the unacceptable safety risk existing on the Permian roadways. Originating from the Kermit, Texas facility and spanning into New Mexico, the Dune Express is intended to eliminate millions of truck miles driven across the Permian resulting in avoided traffic, accidents, injuries, and fatalities within the communities. 

Transfluid LLC was approached by Palmer Johnson to provide a competitive quote to the BAE system for the fishing vessel, The Western Flyer. The ship was chartered by author John Steinbeck for an expedition he chronicled in the book, The Log from the Sea of Cortez. 

By definition, a spherical roller bearing (SRB) is a rolling element bearing that permits rotation with low friction and permits angular misalignment. SRBs consist of spherical rolling elements, an outer ring, a cage as well as an inner ring with two raceways inclined at an angle to the bearing axis. SRB technology has landed the component in unique applications including high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs), pipelaying ships, Ferris wheels and even a Cold War–era marine espionage mission.

The prediction and prevention of catastrophic failures and unplanned downtime has vastly improved areas like mining, energy, off-highway, and other industrial segments for MRO departments across manufacturing thanks to cutting-edge condition monitoring technology and predictive maintenance. 

A sneak peek into the factory of the future has a sweet spot—so to speak. Several conveyor belts transport chocolate bars that are part of a demonstrator machine that shows how artificial intelligence can be used for motion control. What remains to be done in a real factory is to automatically pack the chocolate bars. In this Intelligent Infeed Demonstrator machine from Siemens Digital Industries, the chocolate bars must be placed in evenly spaced slots on the outfeed belt.

The 2023 EASA Convention, June 25-27, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. EASA (https://easa.com/convention) supports companies involved in the service and sale of electric motors, pumps, drives, controls, gearboxes and other rotating machinery. Highlights include synchronous motors, machine reliability, leadership, sustainability, EASA's 90th birthday bash, motor maintenance, pump repair, supply chain issues and more.