The Benefits of Bearing Remanufacturing
Bearing remanufacturing, also known as reconditioning or refurbishment, is the process of restoring used bearings to a like-new condition rather than replacing them. It offers several important benefits from reduced costs and downtime, to lower lead times and CO₂ footprints.
Typical industries that can benefit from bearing remanufacturing include wind energy, mining and construction, heavy transport and marine and industrial manufacturing.
Significant Cost Savings
Remanufacturing a bearing offers a substantially cheaper alternative – up to 75% compared to the cost of a new bearing*. Particularly for industries that require large or specialised bearings, such as wind turbines or heavy machinery, there is a major financial advantage to repairing a bearing.
Extended Service Life
By repairing wear, polishing raceways and replacing rolling elements as needed, remanufactured bearings can achieve near-original performance. This extends the lifecycle of components and delays the need for replacement. For example, SKF and Kaydon Bearing Remanufacturing Services can extend bearing life cycle by 50% or more.
Reduced Downtime
Depending on lead times, it is often faster to remanufacture a bearing, and it is particularly beneficial if the model is now obsolete, or for custom sizes or hard-to-find parts. This helps keep equipment running and reduces production interruptions.
Environmental Sustainability
Bearing remanufacturing uses far fewer raw materials than manufacturing new bearings. This reduces energy consumption, carbon footprint and industrial waste, all of which are better for the environment. Remanufacturing supports circular economy practices by reusing existing components.
Maintains Equipment Compatibility
Original bearings are designed specifically for your equipment. Remanufacturing preserves the exact fit and original tolerances of your bearing. This avoids potential incompatibility issues from substitutes or redesigned parts.
Improved Reliability Through Inspection
The remanufacturing process includes detailed inspection and diagnostics. This can uncover any misalignment, contamination or lubrication issues which can lead to avoidable wear. Overall system reliability will be improved as a result of the identified issues being resolved.
Bearing remanufacturing combines cost efficiency, sustainability and reliability. It is a smart maintenance strategy for extending bearing service life while reducing both operational costs and environmental impact.
R.A. Rodriguez (UK) Ltd is able to offer SKF’s remanufacturing services for its Kaydon slewing bearing customers, with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty for all remanufactured bearings.
