Offshore bearings suppliers put to the test

The volume of imported bearings and parts coming into the USA has increased significantly, having reached record levels in recent years. And although purchasing offshore bearings can pass on great cost savings down the line, how can the buyer and design engineers be sure that the alternative source does not results in expensive field replacement costs?. Catastrophic bearing failure is an unfortunate but real possibility. The best means of protecting cost savings is to verify the quality of any new supplier. Napoleon Engineering Services (NES) is offering bearing inspection and bearing testing services for qualification of new sources of bearing products. NES puts rolling bearings through an extensive programme of verification - boundary and internal dimensional evaluation, visual inspection, seal efficiency, noise quality, material integrity tests. The end result is an objective, comprehensive report that informs the client about the product quality and performance characteristics. 'Our source qualification bearing inspection programs allow us to determine the design intentions, manufacturing capability and quality of workmanship of the bearing manufacturer', says NES owner Chris Napoleon. 'The information contained within our reports allows engineers to become educated about the design and construction of bearing products as well as informing them of any concerns regarding overall product quality that my affect their application'. 'To ensure smooth transitions of product sourcing and experience true cost savings, the source qualification bearing inspection programme should be used any time a change in the plant of manufacture occurs'. The process is simple and cost-effective. In as short a time as two weeks from delivery of bearings to delivery of the inspection report, the buyer's confidence and knowledge of sourced bearings, as well as protection of cost savings, can be ensured.