Why You Should Use Maintenance-Free Cam Followers
Carving out time for traditional maintenance practices can be difficult. It is rarely convenient to stop your production to inspect your equipment, but it has to be done to ensure consistent equipment performance. Or, does it? An innovative solution gaining traction in the industry is the adoption of maintenance-free cam followers. Let’s take a look […]
Understanding Power Transmission: An In-Depth Guide
When you hear the words “power transmission,” what do you think of? Most people think of automobiles. But mechanical power transmission is much more than that– in fact, it’s everywhere you look. What is Power Transmission? At its core, power transmission is simply the movement of energy from one place to the next. That energy […]
How to Choose the Right Bearing for Your Application
Bearings carry the weight of the world, acting as essential components of every kind of conveying you can imagine. But all bearings aren’t created equal! Choosing the right type of bearing for your application will make a big difference in the efficiency and longevity of your equipment. Different applications need different bearings to handle various […]
What You Need to Know About Measuring Chain Pitch
Industrial roller chains keep our world moving. From conveyor systems to power transmission and lifting applications, these versatile workhorses come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations. However, this wide variety means that there is a lot to know to ensure you get the right chain size for the job. This comprehensive guide will […]
The 3 Biggest Conveying Challenges in Food and Beverage Processing
If you work in food and beverage processing, you know that there are unique challenges to overcome. Between high sanitation standards, frequent equipment washdowns, and potential food contamination, there’s a lot to manage. In this article, we’ll examine these challenges, and how to handle them. We’ll also explore how Timken’s innovative products can provide solutions […]
Why Your Bearings Are Better With Seals
You wouldn’t leave the windows open in your car when it’s raining. So why would you want to leave your bearings exposed to contaminants? That’s where seals come in. In this article, we’ll discuss how bearing seals work, why they are important, and lastly, we’ll examine a sealed spherical roller bearing that stands above rest. […]
What Are Split Roller Bearings & Their Benefits
Maintenance technicians in heavy industries know the pain of shutting down equipment for a simple bearing replacement. Traditional mounted bearings often mean hours of disassembly, craning out heavy components, and painstaking realignment. This is where split bearings become a technician’s secret weapon. Split bearings, also known as split roller bearings, are an ingenious design that […]
Drive Pulley (Sheaves) Types & Selection Guide for Industrial Systems
Introduction: Why Pulley Selection and Maintenance Matter Pulleys may be simple in concept, but in industrial applications, choosing the right one can make the difference between smooth operation and unexpected downtime. Whether driving a conveyor, tensioning a fan belt, or lifting a multi-ton load, industrial pulleys remain essential components of modern power transmission. This guide […]
Join IBT Industrial Solutions at GEAPS Exchange 2026 in Kansas City
Kansas City, MO — As a long-standing partner to grain operations across the country, IBT Industrial Solutions is excited to return to the 2026 Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) Exchange, taking place February 21–24 at the Kansas City Convention Center. We’re looking forward to another year of connecting with grain professionals, sharing solutions, and […]
Self-Aligning vs. Traditional Mounted Tapered Roller Bearings
Which Is Right for Your Operation? Choosing the right mounted bearing for your equipment isn’t just about price—it’s about performance, uptime, and long-term reliability. The wrong bearing selection can lead to costly downtime, frequent replacements, and even damage to shafts or housings. One of the most important decisions maintenance managers, plant engineers, and equipment operators […]
When Does It Make Sense to Repair or Replace a Gearbox?
When a critical gearbox fails, maintenance teams are often faced with a tough decision: should they invest in gearbox repair, schedule a gearbox rebuild, or move forward with a full gearbox replacement? For many operations, this choice isn’t just about parts and labor—it directly impacts downtime, production costs, and long-term equipment reliability. Understanding when industrial […]
How Bearing Induction Heaters Work: Heat-Shrink Mounting
Why Bearing Installation Tools Matter When it comes to maximizing equipment uptime, proper bearing installation is just as critical as selecting the right bearing in the first place. Even the most advanced bearing can fail prematurely if it’s installed incorrectly. About 5% of all bearing failures are caused by mounting errors. That’s where bearing induction […]
What Is a Worm Gearbox & How Does It Work?
A worm gearbox (also called a worm gear drive or worm gear reducer) is a right-angle gearbox that uses a screw-like worm shaft meshing with a toothed worm gear to achieve large speed reductions and high torque in a compact package. Each turn of the worm shaft advances the worm gear by the worm’s thread […]
2024 Sustainability Partner
IBT Industrial Solutions Named 2024 Sustainable Partner of the Year by SW Sustainability Solutions Inc. Merriam, KS – September 18, 2025 – IBT Industrial Solutions is proud to announce it has received two prestigious recognitions for its commitment to sustainability: The award recognizes IBT’s dedication to supporting EcoTek® Sustainable Technology products, such as biodegradable glove […]
The Role of Cam Follower Bearings in Modern Automation Systems
Cam followers are critical components in modern automation systems. These specialized rolling elements convert rotary motion into smooth linear or oscillating movement, enabling precision control across a wide variety of automated equipment. As factories and industrial systems become more automated and demand higher throughput, cam followers must perform with greater reliability, minimal maintenance, and superior […]
Why Brass Air Line Fittings Still Lead in Pneumatic Applications
In any industrial facility, compressed air moves quietly behind the scenes—powering tools, actuators, and automation equipment that keep production on schedule. The efficiency of that air delivery depends not just on compressors and hoses, but on the small, often-overlooked components that connect everything together: the fittings. Over the years, materials like high-strength plastics, composite alloys, […]