SKF Launches World's Professional Hybrid Bearing Life Model

SKF has developed the General Bearing Life Model (GBLM), a groundbreaking tool designed to ensure that SKF users and distributors always select the right bearings for the right applications, optimizing operational efficiency and reliability. This new model is particularly crucial in the growing field of hybrid bearings, where engineers have long struggled to predict whether hybrid bearings would outperform steel bearings in specific applications and whether the performance advantages justify the additional investment.

Before the development of GBLM, engineers had difficulty accurately predicting the performance of hybrid bearings compared to traditional steel bearings. The conventional equations used to calculate bearing life did not take into account the unique performance characteristics of hybrid bearings, which made it difficult to assess their longevity and efficiency.

To address this issue, SKF's engineers began working on the General Bearing Life Model (GBLM) in 2012. This model provides a more accurate assessment of hybrid bearing performance and helps engineers determine their suitability for different applications. Although the first version of the model was launched at the Hannover Messe in 2015, it was not yet fully equipped to calculate the life of hybrid bearings. It took an additional four years for SKF’s technical teams in the Netherlands and Austria to incorporate the necessary functionality into the GBLM.

With the General Bearing Life Model, engineers can now accurately evaluate the real-world advantages of hybrid bearings. For example, in pump bearings with poor lubrication, the rated life of hybrid bearings could be eight times that of steel bearings. In screw compressor bearings operating with contaminated lubricants, hybrid bearings may last up to 100 times longer than traditional steel bearings. These significant lifespan improvements make hybrid bearings an excellent value proposition in certain specialized applications.

SKF's General Bearing Life Model is now available to SKF users and distributors, enabling them to select the appropriate hybrid bearings for their needs. The model is particularly useful for applications involving hybrid deep-groove ball bearings and hybrid cylindrical roller bearings. This innovation is set to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and reliability of industrial equipment, reducing maintenance and replacement costs while boosting overall productivity.