Skip to main content

SKF launches intelligent bearing technology

SKF Insight features intelligent wireless technology that enables bearings to communicate their operating conditions continuously, with internally powered sensors and data acquisition electronics. Bearings have long been considered the heart of rotating machinery but now SKF has made them the brain as well.
June 25, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
7153 SKF Insight features intelligent wireless technology that enables bearings to communicate their operating conditions continuously, with internally powered sensors and data acquisition electronics.

Bearings have long been considered the heart of rotating machinery but now SKF has made them the brain as well.

SKF senior vice president, group technology development, Alan Begg said, “Three years ago we had a vision to create an integrated, self-powered sensor package that could wirelessly communicate the condition of a bearing at any time – making a smart bearing capable of sending a message when something happens to it. Following extensive R&D work, including miniaturisation, solving power generation challenges and developing unique packaging of sensors and electronics, the introduction of SKF Insight technology makes this a reality.

“Making the bearing the brain, as well as the heart of rotating machinery, has long been a dream of the engineering community, and I am proud that SKF, with our long tradition of innovation leadership, is the first to make this happen.”

Additionally, by monitoring the load directly on the bearing, SKF Insight makes it possible to measure the load the bearing actually experiences rather than what is was designed for. This valuable information can be routed back into the design phase to improve both the system and bearing design.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Advances in bitumen technology will boost surface wear life and quality
    September 19, 2012
    From chip fat to banana bags, the race is on to find new bitumen additives which will solve two problems with one solution: replace diminishing petrochemical-based products and make use from waste rather than landfilling it - Kristina Smith reports It is not just the desire to preserve our environment which is driving the industry’s search for products which don’t eat up raw materials. The hunger of emerging economies – particularly China – mean that resources can be hard to come by, so it makes sense for s
  • Hamm’s Dr Stefan Klumpp explains future of autonomous compaction
    December 20, 2016
    Autonomous vehicles that can move around without human intervention are not yet a part of everyday life, but they are almost within reach.
  • CET opens new laboratory to service UK’s infrastructure projects
    October 23, 2017
    With over £300 billion of investment in infrastructure planned over the next four years in the UK, materials testing firm CET is gearing up to service a lot more projects – Kristina Smith visited the newest laboratory near Heathrow to find out more. The CET Group has ambitious plans. Over the next four years it wants to double the size of its business, which in the last year turned over £27 million. “There’s a lot of positivity out there,” said Gary Corrigan, managing director of the group’s infrastructu
  • AssetWise Completes Bentley’s CONNECT Edition
    November 15, 2016
    Connected Data Environment Spans both Comprehensive Project Delivery and Comprehensive Asset Performance: TOTEX! LONDON – The Year in Infrastructure 2016 Conference – 1 November 2016 – Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of software solutions for advancing infrastructure, today announced AssetWise CONNECT Edition.