Debarker Infeed and Outfeed Rollers
Vesconite
bushes have proved highly successful as a replacement for the bearings of
debarker infeed and outfeed rollers. Previously roller bearings were used. These
had to be replaced every year during the annual shutdown, and would generally
fail once during the course of the year's production, leading to costly
downtime.
Conventional roller bearings are damaged by the dirt and sand that the bark of the logs carry with them. To facilitate the conversion to Vesconite bushes, simple housings were made to replace the conventional bearing housings. This allowed the use of a thin wall bush, a further cost saving. A Vesconite washer was placed between the bush housing and roller as a spacer to take up any sideplay.
No bush failures have occurred in the four years
since replacing the debarker roller bearings with Vesconite bushes. The initial
cost of the Vesconite bushes has proved cheaper than the bearings used
previously. Their far longer life, lower lubrication requirements and reduced
downtime combine to make Vesconite bushes an extremely cost effective solution
for this bearing application.
The Vesconite bushes have lasted four years and were only replaced when the debarker rollers were removed for refurbishing as part of a general maintenance program.
The change to Vesconite resulted in the following cost savings:
- Cost of Vesconite bushes less than bearings
- No breakdowns or downtime in four years of operation
- Much longer life of Vesconite bushes than bearings
- Less maintenance required
Last updated: Aug 18 2000
