Why is Lignum-Vitae the bearing of choice for over 100 years?

Posted on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 and is filed under Hydro Power, News

Tests have proven if a gap of 6-8 mils is developed between the shaft and bearing a hammering effect sets in that slowly wreaks havoc on the entire system.

Is it a coincidence that every plant listed on the Hydro Hall of Fame started life on lignum-vitae bearings, we think not! As the bearing of choice for all Hydro Hall of Fame recipients Lignum-Vitae also holds the distinction of maintaining the Mechanicsville plant as the oldest continuously operating three phase hydro in the world since 1897!

To keep pace with the demand for faster speeds, heavier loads, improved performance, and dependability in challenging environmental and operating conditions, Lignum-Vitae is dedicated to new innovations to extend the service life decades well beyond the 35-50 years of the original design.

Key benefits include;

Lowest Coefficient of friction ever recorded.

High Modulus of elasticity similar to Aluminum.

Lignum Vitae has a Rockwell rating similar to Aluminum.

High edge loading capacity.

Allows bearing adjustments to zero.

Operates on run of the river water.

No oil or grease to accidentally leak into the water.

Testimonials of 40-50-60 years of continuous service on a single bearing set.

Polishes shaft with resin bound in every fiber.

Mixed mode operation of direct bearing and hydrodynamic lift.

100% renewable.

Reduced vibration and runout.

Can be fit to any existing unit of any size.

Available for immediate delivery anywhere in the world.

An end to surprise unplanned outages.

NSF-61 certified as the most environmentally safe bearing available.

No possibility to smear or wipe on shaft.

No seizing or scoring of shaft from the bearing fit.

High ROI in as little as 2.5 days!

An inconvenient truth of shortened run times between bearing changes has created a “new normal” of acceptable bearing life. Unfortunately many managers focus on cheap materials for first out costs vs. lifetime value, missing out on the long term benefits of less maintenance and more reliable uptime.

Bearings are responsible for keeping shafts true without inordinate vibration, however many composite bearing types require a tolerance of 1mil per inch of shaft creating an unstable environment from the first revolution.