Bearing Heaters: Uses, Types, and Accessories

Heating bearings help to facilitate mounting without the use of excessive force by slightly expanding the bearing. There are several ways to traditionally heat a bearing or related components for mounting processes including ovens, oil baths, and blow torches, but the safest and most environmentally friendly process is done through use of a bearing heater. Bearing heaters use a fast and controlled heating method to help facilitate shrink-fit mounting of bearings and other shaft-fitted components.

TYPES OF HEATERS

The most common types of bearing heaters are induction bearing heaters, hot plates, and cone style.

The induction bearing heaters are designed with a yoke that is placed through the bearing bore. An electrical current heats the yoke that the bearing inner ring rests on during heating. These heaters ensure optimum control during the heating process, automatically regulating the most efficient use of power to provide balanced and fast heating. The Koyo iHeat Series induction bearing heaters provides more control and precise heating with two temperature probes that measure both inner and outer ring temperatures. Additionally, your data can be captured and downloaded on a USB flash drive for easier reporting.

The hot plate style of bearing heater has a flat heating surface where bearings are placed after the plate has reached a desired temperature. The hot plate heater is typically used for smaller bearings and related parts.

Lastly, the cone style of bearing heaters feature a cone-shaped heating unit designed to accommodate various sizes of bearings. In this solution, the heat is transferred from the cone to the bearing inner ring.

BEARING HEATER ACCESSORIES & TOOLS

Bearing Mounting Kit (left), Puller (center), and Gloves (right)

The Koyo Mounting Tool Kit is a practical mechanical mounting set for safe, precise, and quick mounting of bearings, bushings, sealing rings, cam wheels, and pulleys with bore diameters of 10mm – 60mm. This kit contains a dead-blow hammer, aluminum sleeves, and plastic collets, perfect for preventing metal-to-metal contact.

Bearing Pullers provide a safe and easy way to remove a wide variety of parts including bearings, bushings, wheels, gears, and pulleys. The puller grips the part with specially designed jaws before driving it off the shaft. There are several types of bearing pullers, but the mechanical (or standard) jaw pullers are the most user-friendly and safe tools around. Using a puller helps ensure no damage is done to the bearing or other parts during dismounting.

Heat protective gloves are essential for the safe handling of bearings both before and after they are used on a bearing heater, as the bearing will be at a substantially higher temperature when it’s ready for removal. Gloves can help protect from burns and keep the bearing safe from scratches, dents other damages.