The new range of FAG SNS plummer block housings, which are manu-factured by bearing manufacturer Schaeffler Group, increases the operating life of fitted spherical roller bearings by up to 50%, compared with conventional plummer block housings.

Bearings, seals and power transmission products for automotive and industrial applications distributor Bearings 2000 director Nick Stamatiadis says this is made possible by the range’s new housing design, which enables increased load distribution in the bearing. “The patented design of the FAG SNS plummer block housing distributes the bearing load, which is transferred by the rolling elements to the housing support by the outer ring over two symmetrically arranged support surfaces,” he adds.

Stamatiadis explains that this makes a positive change to the load distribution in the bearing, which results in the bearing being subjected to a lower overall load. He highlights that other performance characteristics such as rupture loads are not negatively affected. “The operating life of the bearing is, therefore, increased by up to 50%, as the distribution of the individual rolling element loads has an essential influence on the fatigue life achieved by the roller bearings.”

According to Bearings 2000 marketing manager Michael Stamatiadis, design upgrades on the FAG SNS plummer block housing range improve the ease of operation, while reducing total life cycle costs too. “The new housing design makes lubrication, mounting and condition monitoring much easier, which, ultimately, contributes to a reduction of the total cost of ownership,” he notes.

He indicates that a lubrication bore with a long lubrication groove has been integrated into the inside of the upper section of the housing to ensure that bearings from dif-ferent series that are installed in each bearing position can be optimally supplied with lubricant. “The lower section of the housing still contains grease outlet bores that allow the removal of the used and superfluous grease when grease relubrication is carried out.”

Nick Stamatiadis highlights that con-nections for the FAG SmartCheck condition monitoring system are provided on both sides as standard to enable better condition monitoring of the bearings. A centring mark in the upper section of the housing indicates the optimum connection position for condition monitoring, if these two connections for the FAG SmartCheck are not accessible.

“The lower section of the housing also features precise locating surfaces that are reworked by machine. These are raised and allow the use of ledges to achieve precise alignment. Once it has been aligned, the hous- ing can be quickly replaced if required,” he adds.

The FAG GreaseCheck sensor for the on-line condition monitoring of lubricating grease is also available.

Michael Stamatiadis notes that bevels, small surfaces and an upper housing section all eliminate collection points for fluid and contamination, while reducing the cleaning outlay required. A range of seals is also available to ensure uninterrupted reliability of operation, even in harsh conditions such as those found in the extraction and processing of raw materials.

“The new FAG SNS housing is also manu- factured from high-quality spheroidal graph-ite cast iron, which ensures further customer peace of mind, with regard to operational reliability and efficiency,” he adds.

Rolling bearings of several different diam- eters and widths can be installed in the new FAG SNS plummer block housing. The bearings are movable and function as nonlocating bearings. Suitable bearings include the 222, 223, 230, 231, 232 and 240 series.

The new FAG SNS series of plummer block housings can be used as a replacement for a range of conventional housings, states Nick Stamatiadis, who is optimistic that Bearings 2000 can obtain a measurable increase in local market share through the range in the short term.