New design features increase bearing’s reliability
Baldor Electric has launched a new Dodge-brand mounted ball bearing incorporating sealing and lubrication innovations, which it claims can 'substantially extend' equipment lifetimes in harsh, washdown-duty operating environments such as food and beverage processing.
According to Baldor, Dodge Ultra Kleen ball bearings employ a 100% stainless steel bearing insert and feature a patented new sealing system and a ball retainer designed to retain lubrication and prevent washout in wet operating environments.
A new sealing system, QuadGuard, consists of two patented features: a triple lip seal and a rubberised flinger - a moulded nitrile rubber component. The triple lip seal has three points of contact, which helps keep lubricants in and contaminants out.
The rubberised flinger is bonded to the flinger surface and is said to provide an additional barrier to contaminants. The rubber baffled design on the external surface of the flinger aids the removal of liquid as it rotates, while grease chambers on the internal surface of the flinger prevent lubricant from exiting the bearing.
A new two piece ball retaining cage, Maxlife, is said to create a grease compartment around each of the rolling elements. The compartments provide constant contact between ball and grease so an oil film always exists to prevent wear, and minimise friction and heat. The compartmental construction holds in the grease and prevents it from being washed out.
Baldor says that by combining the new features, it considers the Dodge Ultra Keen to be the highest quality mounted ball bearing in the industry.
