SKF Canada Puts Focus on New Technologies

“New, sophisticated groundbreaking technologies” are part of a customer-focused, application-based program introduced recently by SKF Canada Ltd., Scarborough, Ont. Called “Real Conditions, Real Solutions,” the program is being used to expand the company’s industrial capabilities worldwide, according to Jan Lindhe, president.

The company recently held an open house to introduce the “New SKF” and showcase past successes in products and services. SKF, a manufacturer of ball and roller bearings, was founded in 1907 and has had operations in Canada since 1917.

Various presentations at the event explained SKF innovations, including automotive drive-by-wire technology, wireless vibration monitoring equipment, mechatronics systems and innovations in bearing and linear motion technology. Division vice-presidents were on hand to discuss roller, linear and magnetic bearings; condition monitoring; reliability systems; and consulting services

In a related announcement, SKF Canada says it will add angular contact ball bearings to its Explorer family of spherical roller bearings as part of the series of continuing improvements being implemented by the company.

When developing the angular contact ball bearings, the Swedish company’s product development team was able to increase axial load-carrying capacity by modifying the geometry of the raceways and changing manufacturing processes. For the most part, however, improvements are the result of a culmination of a series of smaller, less visible changes.

Raw materials are key to the continuous improvement process, according to Joacim Fogelstrom, head of the SKF industrial division’s technical development. “We have been able to significantly reduce the impurities in our bearing steel,” he said, “and this clearly adds to the strength of the raceways. When combined with our unique heat treatment process, we are able to find an optimum balance between the raceways’ strength and their resistance to damage caused by contamination.”

The technical improvements made to Explorer series bearings will provide four design options to increase machine performance. For existing machines, either service life or power output can be increased. For new designs, power output can be maintained or power density increased.

ATLANTIC SKILLED-TRADE CAMP FOR GIRLS EXPANDS

For a second year, Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camps were offered in the summer in New Brunswick thanks to a local partnership and funding provided by the provincial Training and Employment Development department.

The GETT camps give girls in Grades 7 and 8 a chance to learn more about the trade and technology fields. The camps were developed through a partnership between New Brunswick Community College-Saint John and New Brunswick Women in Trades and Technology.

“The girls who went through the nine-day camps in the first year of the program were more aware of and open to considering careers in the trades and technologies,” said T&ED minister Norman McFarlane.

“In a participant survey completed last year, several of the girls made the comment that when it came to careers, they could be whatever they want. This statement is the best reflection of the philosophy of these events and points to their success.

The program covers the use of hand and power tools, blueprint reading, electrical wiring, computer-aided design, carpentry, auto body repair and machining.

CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY IS BEING PROPOSED

Kevin Bushey of International Maintenance Technologies (IMT), Caledonia, Ont., wants to know if people in the infrared industry would be interested in the formation of an association for thermographers.

His proposal to create a Canadian Infrared Thermographers Association (CITA) is based on a perceived need within the industry. After nine years in the infrared industry, both as a sales rep and thermographer, Bushey says, “Every time I have mentioned the idea about starting a Canadian association for thermographers, everyone thought it was well needed, and a great idea. The only problem has been finding the time to do it.”

His vision is that the CITA would be a vehicle to hold regular user group meetings and “talk about the one thing were all passionate about — thermography. We as a collective, could share stories, both good and bad, and enhance our skills as thermographers. I know with so many conferences nowadays, this may be a difficult task to accomplish, however, I’m putting this out there to see if anyone would be interested.”

Anyone interested in forming this type of association should contact Bushey by e-mail at kevin@imtonline.ca, or via his office at International Maintenance Technologies, PO Box 2103, Caledonia, ON N3W 2G6, tel. 905-765-8954, fax 905-765-8969.

Meanwhile, IMT has launched a new website at www.imtonline.ca. It features information on various applications associated with infrared thermographic inspections.