Manufacturing plain bearings from a sample – even without technical drawings

Are your plain bearings worn out, but you no longer have the drawings or technical documentation?

If an original part or sample bearing is available, measurement and technical reconstruction can serve as the basis for manufacturing a new one.

We undertook the manufacture of large plain bearings for a mining industry client. The specific challenge: while the existing bearing housing and worn bearings were available, there were no technical drawings or design specifications.

Measuring and technically documenting plain bearings

First, the existing plain bearings were precisely measured and technically documented. This involved recording all relevant dimensions, geometries and manufacturing features.

Based on the data obtained, we created our own technical manufacturing drawing. This effectively turned the existing original part back into a basis for spare part production.

Reverse engineering for spare part production

When original drawings for older machinery and systems are missing, reverse engineering offers a way to reconstruct existing components.

This process involves measuring the existing component and capturing its geometry. The resulting data is then transferred into technical documentation to serve as the basis for further manufacturing.

In this project, the reconstructed data was used to manufacture the new plain bearings. The new bearings were produced according to the determined geometries and prepared for installation in the existing bearing housing.

From sample part to new plain bearing

The result: new plain bearings based on a worn original part—without the need for existing technical drawings.

This project demonstrates how technical measurement, drawing creation and custom manufacturing can be combined when original documentation for existing machinery and systems is no longer available. From the initial assessment and technical reconstruction to final production: Lohmann provides support for custom plain bearing solutions and the manufacture of spare parts based on existing samples.

Do you need a plain bearing based on a sample, or do you have a unique project or specialized application?

Contact us, we will find a solution for you!