Engineering solutions provider Bearing Man Group (BMG) reports that in March it launched the Rexnord-Falk product range, which encompasses industrial gear units, low-speed backstops, couplings, bearings and chain conveying solutions.

Industrial mechanical power transmission solutions provider Falk Corporation is a sub-sidiary of power transmission components supplier Rexnord Corporation.

BMG explains that the Rexnord-Falk product range was designed to “reduce ownership costs and increase the productivity of capital equipment investments”.

“Further, it enhances BMG’s capabilities to fully support the company’s goals of being a compre-hensive process solutions provider to all sectors of industry in sub-Saharan Africa,” says BMG director Dave Russell.

He explains that many of BMG’s customers operate in remote and challenging conditions and strive to balance improved productivity and output against a low capital outlay and spares inventory.

“Improved product reliability and depend-ability are key to meeting these conflicting goals and we believe that suppliers of equipment to industry and mining have a critical responsibility to adequately support their products and service offerings,” says Russell.

He points out that certain products within the Rexnord-Falk range have been available in Southern Africa for many years and have become the industry benchmark for “dependability and reliability, providing the standards by which generically similar products are judged”.

“Now, BMG has assembled the entire Rexnord-Falk range together and made these products available from one supplier, for the first time.

“BMG recently introduced off-the-shelf Rexnord-Falk products to the local market. “The benefit of new materials and the latest design concepts ensures efficient operation in harsh operating conditions that previously affected reliability and productivity,” states Russell.

Further, he notes that, Falk’s engineers have, over many years, assessed operating conditions globally and studied the critical issues that negatively affect the reliability of equipment.

“From this assessment research, Falk’s engi-neers have introduced appropriate solutions to improve durability and extend product life, specifically in arduous operating conditions,” highlights Russell.

He says this intensive approach to relia-bility and extended service life applies to all Rexnord-Falk products, including Falk V-class industrial gear units, Falk low-speed backstops and couplings, link belt bearings and chain conveying solutions.

“All Rexnord-Falk products undergo continu-ous and extensive research and development (R&D), and as new materials are discovered and manufacturing methods [introduced], they are integrated into the Rexnord-Falk product range,” Russell stresses.

“For example, in the Falk V-class industrial gear units, the gear-tooth strength has been increased through the use of better materials to raise shock-loading resistance. The normal limits applied to industrial gear units, arising from operating temperatures and environmental conditions, were researched and developed, resulting in a product range with thermal ratings far in excess of other industrial gear unit designs,” he points out.

Moreover, Russell explains that to prevent excessive wear during cold-start conditions, the new design ensures bearings are permanently lubricated while operating, and when it is stationary, the channels cast into the gear case direct temperature-moderated lubricating oil precisely to where it is needed, resulting in significantly improved bearing and gear life.

Additionally, he states, Falk’s engineers have addressed the challenge of footprint standardisation, so that the swapping out of a failed competing brand is now simplified through a customisable, removable mounting footplate that attaches to the identical top or bottom half of the fully invertible gear case.

“BMG’s confidence in the reliability and performance of its V-class gear units is [sup-ported by its] three-year, heavy-duty warranty, which is offered as standard,” enthuses Russell.

Moreover, he says, the Rexnord-Falk range of Steelflex grid coup-lings have benefited from R&D through the use of the latest materials and design geometry.

“A five-year warranty is now also offered on this product,” highlights Russell.

Meanwhile, he adds, Rexnord’s engineers have also resolved reliability issues in dif-ficult mechanical power trans-mission applications.

“Rexnord’s Addax composite couplings have been developed for dependability in cooling tower drives and similar applications. A high-strength, corrosion-resistant composite material spacer ele-ment, in a cardan shaft format, transmits torque from the prime mover to the gearbox with lower inertia and better balance than conventional steel tubes. The Addax couplings spacer lengths are available up to 7 m and can accommodate powers of up to 375 kW,” says Russell.

He adds that BMG’s team of highly skilled technicians offer a technical advisory and support service, and are also able to install and commission all products in the Rexnord-Falk product range, as well as other equipment in BMG’s portfolio.

“A substantial stockholding is held at our regional centres for quick and efficient delivery throughout the entire Southern African region,” Russell concludes.