Gallagher's partner, Vesconite Bearings, has established a dedicated extra-large bearings facility within its factory.
It will manufacture no-swell low-friction self-lubricating bearings for large ocean-going vessels, including container ships and oil tankers.
The dedicated facility houses five large horizontal lathes, including a six-meter lathe (20 ft.), and two large vertical lathes.
It also includes an upgraded Superclad machine, which builds up and encases a Vesconite bearing on the external diameter. By using a high-strength epoxy reinforcing system, the resultant jacket provides an extremely strong final structure, combined internally with the exceptional wear properties of Vesconite.
“We are seeing an increased number of enquiries for extra-large bearings,” says Vesconite CEO Dr Jean-Patrick Leger.
“This facility will streamline our production and reduce the days between ordering and dispatch,” he says, noting that dispatch times will be reduced from four days to two to three days.
Having a vessel in dry dock for days or weeks while waiting for an oversized bearing is costly and frustrating, as is not being able to order a bearing made of your desired material.
Vesconite’s new facility solves these problems, with the company able to produce two-meter-long (6.5 ft.) bearings, with outside diameters of up to 1.6 meters (5.25 ft.), in a much shorter time.
Should there be demand, even larger bearings will be produced.
The original article was featured on Vesconite's website.
To learn more about these low-friction bearings, contact GFS today.