Knowledge Base

How galvanic, stray current and crevice corrosion attack boats and drive units, how anodes and galvanic isolators protect them, and how to test hull potential with a reference electrode and multimeter.

Glossary of bearing grease terms: thickeners and base oils with compatibility charts, viscosity, NLGI consistency, DIN 51825 classification, drop point and the standard grease performance tests.

Laser measurement in shipyards: propeller shaft to gearbox alignment, bearing journals to stern tube, and slewing ring bearing flatness.

How accelerometers work, current/voltage vs. charge mode, mounting methods and frequency range, sensitivity, calibration, instrument wire, grounding and conduit. STI field application note.

Mounting methods, mounting accessories, installation tools, adhesives, preferred mounting locations, cabling, signal interference and sensor wiring for accelerometers. STI field application note.

How acceleration envelope measurements detect bearing defects, lubrication problems and severe lower-order faults like unbalance. STI field application note.

Around 16% of premature bearing failures come from poor fitting or incorrect mounting. Cold, heat and hydraulic mounting methods, plus lubrication after mounting. Courtesy of SKF.

Reverse dial indicator shaft alignment: pre-alignment checks, bar sag, taking and verifying readings, graphing moves, acceptance tolerance and moving the machine.

Heavy spot vs. high spot, fixed and rotating protractor methods, trial and trim weights, balance response coefficients and correction weight formulas.

How induction heating works, hot mounting temperatures, the SKF m20 concept, and a selection guide for SKF bearing heaters.

Useful outside references on occupational noise, hearing conservation and sound level meters.

OSHA permissible occupational noise exposure by duration, and how to calculate a daily equivalent noise exposure factor.

Reference tables of common environmental and music sound levels, OSHA and NIOSH permissible daily noise exposure, and how decibel changes are perceived.

Reliability Wire, April 2013: the CorDEX TC7000 explosion proof thermal imaging camera, the SDT200 ultrasound detector, and live chat support.

SKF application note on heating bearings for mounting: the principle of induction heating, safe hot-mounting temperatures, and what never to do.

How the SKF TMEH 1 OilCheck portable oil condition monitor helps fleets like the US Military optimize oil drain intervals.

Laser straightness measurement of balks, rolls, machine constructions and transportation lines, using horizontal or object references. Application note courtesy of Damalini.

Which SKF bearing grease to use where: LGMT 2, LGMT 3, LGEP 2, LGFP 2, LGEM 2, LGEV 2, LGLT 2, LGGB 2, LGWM 1, LGWA 2, LGHB 2, LGHP 2 and LGET 2 with typical applications. Courtesy of SKF.

Proper alignment will reduce your carbon footprint: how a steel mill laser-aligned a 14 ft cooling tower jack shaft and cut motor current from 174 to 155 amps. Application note courtesy of Damalini.

Measuring straightness and center line of turbine and generator shafts relative to an absolute plumb line with a laser transmitter. Application note courtesy of Damalini.

Lumens, foot candles and watts explained, with light-intensity reference points and a comparison of incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, metal halide and sodium vapor lighting.

Flatness measurement of machine tables, paper machine wire parts, flanges and machine foundations with a laser reference plane. Application note courtesy of Damalini.

Two-point calibration procedure for the TI-25M ultrasonic thickness gauge, courtesy of Electromatic/Checkline.

SKF Lubricants: the perfect solution for every application. Even the very best bearing can only show optimum performance when it is lubricated correctly…