The Process

Any industrial facility in today’s economic environment is very cost conscious. As one of the departments within Service Guide, Inc., the Bearing Reclamation Department has been actively assisting industrial customers in controlling and reducing costs associated with bearings since 2002. Whether it is called bearing repair, reclamation, reconditioning, restoration or remanufacturing, the results are the same. A totally rebuilt bearing can save as much as 40 to 45% of the cost of a new bearing and perform the same as a new one.

The reclamation process requires the removal of stressed or fatigued material from those surfaces under rolling contact; that is, the raceways and rolling elements. Care and experience must be utilized in preparing these surfaces as well as in re-calculating the new geometry to maintain the proper relationship of the various components. Numerous studies have determined that when stressed or fatigued material is removed (.002” to .006”) then the service life of the reclaimed bearing is equal to a new bearing.

To provide this type of service to the customer, Service Guide, Inc. has formed an experienced management team with skilled craftsmen capable of producing the technical results necessary. The management team has many years of experience with the major bearing manufacturers and has operated their own bearing reclamation businesses.

Service Guide, Inc. has obtained the best equipment available including the latest state-of-the-art CNC and electronic controls. Manual-type equipment is placed in service only after a complete overhaul and upgrades where possible. Bearings as large as 75” on the O.D. can be reclaimed presently.

Service Guide, Inc. currently has the capability to reclaim tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, and radial roller thrust bearings. With equipment now coming on line, the bearing department is able to reclaim spherical roller bearings. The capability to produce new replacement components is offered to customers as another means of reducing new bearing purchases. Any bearing considered as obsolete by the major manufacturers will be able to be reproduced at the Service Guide, Inc.’s Bearing Department.
Another service offered by the department is modification of existing bearings. This can be change of clearance, bore change straight to tapered, dowel holes, lubrication holes, anti-rotation holes and other bearing refinements.