Operation

It is important to consider the type of operation. Intermittent operation, with long stoppage times between loadings, influences the build up of a lubrication film in the slide bearing.

The friction is always greatest at the moment of starting, before a lubrication film has time to build up. Therefore, it is important where possible to try to keep down the number of starts since this influence the lifetime of the bearing much more than normal operation.

In order to make this phenomenon less destructive for the bearing, D&E has products with inbuilt lubrication reservoirs. The reservoirs build up during operation and remain in place during the stoppage. In this way, the start friction is significantly reduced and thus the bearing's lifetime lengthened.