We all know that bearing failure occurs for different reasons. One of these reasons is improper mounting. If you do not use the right techniques and tools, bearing life is jeopardized. It is estimated that approximately 30% of bearing failure is caused by poor fitting. A serious percentage to consider. Why does this happen? Lack of knowledge, lack of correct fitting tools.

There are many types of bearings which require different techniques of fitting. For instance, hydraulic mounting, cold-mounting or hot-mounting (interference fitting using heat).

In this article we are discussing “hotmounting”. A bearing (or other part) is heated prior to mounting, allowing the inner ring to expand. Then, you can mount the bearing on the shaft. When it cools down it shrinks and tightens around the shaft.

Methods used for heating can be ovens, oil baths, hot plates, or even open flames with blow torches. The risks are many: local overheating causes material stress, loss of original lubrication, dirt contamination, not to mention the risk of personal injury due to slippery bearings (oil) or open flames. Oil baths and open flames also cause air pollution in the workspace.

Bearing manufacturers recommend induction heating as the superior heating method. The reasons why are obvious. Modern heaters offer many advantages like time or temperature control, energy & time efficiency, safety for part and person.

But now the new generation Induction Heaters by BETEX® have even more to offer!

Bega Special Tools have launched a new generation of SMART BETEX® low & middle frequency induction heaters, where full control over the heating process can be exercised. These heaters are suitable for middle sized and large bearings (or other parts).

Specially designed for industrial use, the heaters have an easy to use touchscreen with many heating options. More important: these heaters are fitted with a Delta T control system. Two temperature sensors measure the inside and the outside temperature of the bearing (part) and adjust the heating according to the selected variable settings. In this way the maximum permitted temperature difference between 2 points can never be exceeded. An even and uniform heating is achieved, and material stress is avoided. Heaters have a USB port for logging purposes. Nowadays it is becoming more and more important to be able to store heating data or to create a proof of work report.

Middle frequency induction heaters are used for both Mounting and Dismounting. Thanks to the flexible inductors, very large parts or oddly shaped parts can be heated, with all the above-mentioned advantages. These heaters are fast and economic in use compared to traditional methods. Another big advantage is that damage is avoided, reuse of parts is possible.

Reducing maintenance costs is a hot topic!

Induction heater technology no doubt saves time and energy. Sometimes savings can be enormous. Think about the time savings; and reuse of parts that would otherwise be scrapped; or the case where a factory overhaul time was reduced from 10 to 8 days!

But perhaps the most important advantage of using induction heating technology, is the improved quality of the assembly process, thanks to the perfect control over the heating process.

Visit www.begaspecialtools.com for more information about this new technology or email [email protected] for all your questions.

EVOLUTION Bega Special Tools has been selling induction heaters for over 40 years. The evolution the company experienced over the years are many: the change from analogue heaters to digital heaters; the introduction of the ergonomic swivel arm; the continued development of the microprocessor for maximum control; automatic demagnetization; the first to produce according to CE directives and the first to obtain CSA/UL certification for the Canadian and USA market; design of induction heaters for both dismounting and mounting.