IBT Industrial Solutions

10/21/2026

How to Choose a Linear Ball Bearing and Round Shaft System Based on Load, Accuracy, & Environment 🤓

A replacement linear bearing can fit the shaft and still fail too soon. The carriage may bind, lose repeatability, require more drive force, or begin wearing a groove into the shaft.

That is why linear ball bearing selection cannot stop at shaft diameter and housing dimensions. Facility managers and maintenance technicians also need to consider load direction, shaft support, alignment, accuracy, contamination, and lubrication.

The goal is not simply to find a bearing that fits. Rather, the objective is to select a complete round shaft guidance system that can handle the application and remain practical to maintain.
Schaeffler

Learn how to choose a linear ball bearing and round shaft system based on load, shaft support, accuracy, alignment, contamination, and maintenance needs.

10/19/2026

Alignment doesn’t stop at motor and pump shafts.

Pulleys and sheaves also need to be properly aligned, and belt tension needs to be set correctly. Problems in a belt drive can increase vibration, accelerate component wear, and create recurring maintenance issues.

IBT’s technicians can inspect belt-driven equipment, correct alignment, and help your team address the mechanical conditions affecting reliability.

Learn more:
https://hubs.ly/Q04y9kmd0

Based in Kansas City, our IMT maintenance crew serves the Midwest.

10/14/2026

Premature Hoist Failure: Causes Beyond Capacity ⚠️

Premature hoist failure can occur even when every lift stays below rated capacity. Repeated brake problems, overheating, control faults, and rapid chain or wire rope wear often point to a mismatch between the equipment and the work, but they can also indicate maintenance, electrical, or component problems.

The right diagnosis starts with more than load weight. Duty classification, starts and reversals, lift distance, positioning demands, power quality, environment, and operating practices all affect hoist performance.

Learn why premature hoist failure can occur below rated capacity and how duty cycle, braking, side pulling, power, and environment affect reliability.

10/12/2026

Alignment by eye isn’t precision alignment.

Even small alignment errors can increase vibration and place additional stress on bearings, couplings, and seals. IBT uses precision laser-alignment equipment to measure and correct alignment in shafts, couplings, and other rotating equipment.
The goal is simple: smoother operation, less component wear, and fewer alignment-related problems.

Explore IBT’s alignment and maintenance services: https://hubs.ly/Q04y9jc90

Based in Kansas City, our IMT maintenance crew serves the Midwest.

10/07/2026

Axial vs. Radial Loads: How Load Direction Affects Bearing Selection and Service Life

Understanding the difference between axial vs. radial loads is essential for selecting the right mounted bearing, diagnosing bearing damage, and improving equipment reliability. Whether you’re working with conveyors, gearboxes, fans, crushers, bucket elevators, or screw conveyors, recognizing how these load directions affect a bearing can help reduce unplanned downtime and extend service life.

In this article, you’ll learn:
- What axial and radial loads are
- How load direction affects bearing performance and service life
- Common bearing damage caused by excessive axial loads
- How different mounted bearing designs handle radial and axial loads
- General considerations when matching mounted bearings to the application

Learn the difference between axial and radial loads, common bearing failure modes, and how proper bearing selection improves reliability and equipment life.

10/06/2026

Some bearing replacements require much more than pulling one component and installing another.

Safe rigging, controlled removal, shaft inspection, cleanup, proper fitting, lubrication, and final alignment all matter. IBT’s Industrial Maintenance Technologies team can support the complete replacement process, from teardown through installation.

Whether the job is part of a scheduled shutdown or an unexpected repair, we bring the tools and field experience needed to get equipment back in service.

Learn more:
https://ibtinc.com/services/maintenance-repair-services/

Based in Kansas City, our IMT maintenance crew serves the Midwest.

10/02/2026

BBQ, great products, exciting giveaways, and—most importantly—great people made yesterday’s IBT Customer Appreciation Event in Sedalia one to remember!

A huge thank you to all of our customers, supplier partners, and team members who joined us and helped make the day such a success. We truly appreciate the relationships we’ve built and the opportunity to bring everyone together for a day of good food, valuable conversations, and plenty of fun.

Thank you for spending the day with us, Sedalia! We’re already looking forward to the next one!

https://hubs.ly/Q04z2w7Q0

09/28/2026

When a failed bearing comes off, the job isn’t necessarily over.

Shaft wear, improper fit, contamination, lubrication problems, and misalignment may have contributed to the damage. Installing a new bearing without addressing the underlying condition can put the replacement at risk.

IBT’s maintenance technicians help customers identify the problem, replace damaged components, and correct the conditions that may have caused the failure.

See how we support industrial equipment repairs:

https://hubs.ly/Q04y9dFX0)https://hubs.ly/Q04y9dFX0

Based in Kansas City, our IMT maintenance crew serves the Midwest.

09/24/2026

Rod End Selection: How to Choose the Right Design for Your Application

A replacement rod end can have the correct bore, thread, and overall dimensions and still be wrong for the application.

Effective rod end selection requires matching seven factors: load magnitude, load direction, movement, misalignment, required precision, operating environment, and maintenance needs. Overlooking one can lead to excessive play, binding, corrosion, liner damage, or structural failure.

A rod end combines a spherical bearing interface with an eye-shaped housing and a threaded or weldable shank. See our introductory guide for a basic explanation of what industrial rod ends are and how they work (https://hubs.ly/Q04y8ht00). In this article, we’ll focus on selecting the right rod end for your application.
RBC Bearings

https://hubs.ly/Q04y8hlt0

Learn about what industrial rod ends are, what they are used for, and when it's better to use precision rod ends vs. commercial rod ends.

09/23/2026

Bearing Installation
A new bearing is only the beginning. How it’s installed can determine how long it lasts.

Contamination, improper fit, incorrect preload, and misalignment can all contribute to premature bearing failure. IBT’s Industrial Maintenance Technologies team handles bearing removal and installation using precision tools, proper lubrication practices, and careful attention to fit, cleanliness, and alignment.

When the replacement needs to be done right the first time, our technicians are ready to help.

Learn more:
https://hubs.ly/Q04y5sWt0