SKF Power Transmissions product manager, Frans Odendaal, talks about the integrated nature of SKF solutions around the rotating shaft, which include bearings, power transmission products, seals, lubrication, condition monitoring and maintenance services.
SKF is globally renowned as a world-class manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of premium quality bearings. With an investment of over 100 years of experience, the company has evolved into a turnkey rotating equipment and technology solutions specialist, complementing its bearing offering with a wide range of power transmission, seals and lubrication products.
SKF South Africa’s Power Transmissions product manager, Frans Odendaal, points out that SKF’s complementary product portfolio shares a close connection with bearings. “So whether customers across sub-Saharan Africa require a bearing or a power transmissions product or both, it makes sound business sense that they should be able to conveniently find the best solution from a single source.
“Power transmission is not a separate business from our bearing business and customers can be assured of the same high quality in our power transmission products that our bearings are renowned for,” continues Odendaal.
He notes that the manufacturing process is fundamental to product quality. SKF is equipped with the necessary knowledge to be able to improve quality and increase capacity and performance of the end product through material upgrades and alterations to the manufacturing process.
“A good example is our couplings; these are forged from C45 material, which we can upgrade to alloy steel that has been hardened, increasing the torque rating by 30% to 40%. Similarly, we can upgrade our standard V-belt and Extra Power belt to a different material to make the products easier to tension during installation and by making a change in the manufacturing process to deliver a 30% to 40% higher power rating.”
SKF’s quality-driven approach ensures that all products comply with a range of international standards. But Odendaal points out that the quality is not dictated by the standard, which means customers can expect more from SKF. He cites an upgrade by SKF of a key customer’s elevator from sixty t/h to one hundred t/h as an example of SKF’s power transmission quality.
“Whereas previously the customer experienced numerous failures, the elevator has now been operating failure free for some seventeen months. “The highlight for me was when the customer told us the elevator operated so quietly, they had to stand close to it to make sure it was running!”
Another example of SKF’s power transmission quality is the company’s medium to high torque disc couplings, which are ideal for highly accurate drive and heightened temperature applications.
The couplings will operate seamlessly at high speed without backlash. In addition to a long service life as a result of the absence of friction between the components, these couplings require zero maintenance. For customers and end-users this means maximised uptime and reduced costs.
“Thanks to SKF’s commitment to superior-quality products and service, customers are specifically requesting our power transmission products,” says Odendaal adding that key original equipment manufacturers and agriculture customers have specified SKF gear couplings and SKF chain for their equipment.
OK couplings, also part of SKF’s extensive power transmission portfolio, incorporate the SKF hydraulic oil injection system, which makes them ideally suited for propellers in large boats such as frigates. The hydraulic oil injection system makes for easier installation and removal which, in terms of cost saving, extended lifespan and increased productivity, is particularly beneficial for very large sized grids or gear couplings. Odendaal says that although the boat market in South Africa is not very big, the application still holds value locally. “We can tap into SKF’s global support network and expertise, and combine this with our local knowledge and experience to add value for customers, putting them in a position to achieve and even exceed their productivity and profitability goals,” he concludes.