The development of dimensional irregularities and damage of white metal bearing in intermediate shaft, propeller shaft, and tail shaft system will inevitably result in extra expenses for the owners and even the safety of the ship and the crew could be compromised.
The common problem observed in intermediate shaft, propeller shaft, tail shaft on the vessel are as follows:
I) Due to lack of lubrication between the white metal Babbitt bearings and the intermediate shaft the Crankshaft failure and damage of bearing and marks on the bearing sitting area are commonly observed.
II) The failure of white metal bearing due to long usage than the specified also results to the failure of intermediate shaft, propeller shaft, and tail shaft.
Repairs undertaken by RA Power of Intermediate Shaft, Propeller shaft and Tail Shaft
Team of experienced technicians are sent on board the vessel for pre inspection of the damaged shaft.
Following inspection is conducted:
I) Dimensional inspection of intermediate shaft, propeller shaft, and tail shaft for taper and ovality.
II) Crack detection of bearing sitting area by MPI.
III) Hardness test to detect the variation in hardness due to failure of white metal bearing.
IV) Checking of surface finish which is important.
With the dedicated tooling and the latest design of equipment RA Power Solutions technicians undertake the grinding and polishing of the intermediate shaft of bearing sitting area.
I) The tolerances are strictly maintained as per the class requirements.
II) Most importantly the surface finish after grinding and polishing is maintained less than 30 RA value.
III) The white metal bearing is rebabbitted in our workshop by centrifugal system strictly as per the international standards.
In case required fitment of bearing is also undertaken. Thus the responsibility of satisfactory performance lies with RA Power Solutions.
