Effective bearing replacement with updated SKF Bearing Assist app 

Each year, incorrect mounting is causing countless bearing failures. Overcoming this can deliver multiple benefits to owners / operators of rotating machinery, including reduced costs related to maintenance, fewer breakdowns, a more sustainable operation of the machinery, subsequently enhancing uptime and production.

SKF is introducing a new version of the SKF Bearing Assist mobile app that will save time and effort when mounting bearings by assisting the bearing installer to replace bearings more accurately and effectively.

With workflow as its centrepiece, the new version is even more user friendly; the app gives the bearing installer clear guidance on the mounting process, helping to prevent premature failures and improve sustainability.

“Since correct bearing mounting minimises premature failure, the app also, importantly, helps to reduce waste and improve sustainability by extending the machinery lifecycles,” notes Eddie Martens, SKF product manager, MaPro. “These benefits also address the principles of the circular economy.”

Accessed on a smartphone or tablet, the SKF Bearing Assist app provides step-by-step guidance, replacement instructions and an improved way to document and trace each replacement bearing. A detailed checklist ensures that each necessary step, such as planning and preparing the job and measuring associated components, has been completed. By helping technicians / bearing installers to use a structured process, SKF app minimises the risk of making mistakes.

One of the app’s key features is the ability to label and record bearing positions during replacement. Martens explains that this enables better documentation and efficient maintenance practice. “It also provides a better structure to the report which can be automatically generated by the app, saving time for the installer while doing the job,” he adds.

The latest version generates a PDF preview of the report within the app, which users can then edit and correct before creating the final version. Users of the previous version will be able to adopt the new version seamlessly without losing legacy data when upgrading because existing reports will be merged into it.