The Cloud? Think again. Your data is actually at the bottom of the sea. We know because we’re helping to put it there. Maybe you already knew that 99% of all international data travels across the world through cables on the ocean floor? But did you know that SKF provides bearings for the winch on a vessel used for putting these cables into the sea?
The winch in question is a real monster, with an operating capacity of 5 600 tonnes. Mounting the bearings – one spherical roller thrust bearing and one spherical roller bearing weighing in at 9.9 tonnes – is therefore a true challenge. To date, this particular spherical roller bearing is the heaviest bearing ever to be manufactured. We’ve actually had to invent a new, previously untested mounting procedure using specially designed tools for lifting the bearings.