Plant Services - January 2008 - (Page 32) MANAGEMENT Reliability vices to cords to allegedly explosionproof boxes and fittings.” Users might not realize this until years later, when those fake devices are called on to work and fail instead. We expect parts to fit, function and endure. But counterfeits generally use cheaper and less safe materials, such as flammable plastics, less durable alloys, loose tolerances and inadequate electroplating. Copiers cut production costs by not respecting quality and safety standards, imitating external appearances with no knowledge or understanding of the technologies needed to produce functional, durable parts. In the case of gearboxes, “We’ve seen direct knock-offs that look the same from six feet away,” says Bill Engle, plant manager, Dodge Gear, Greenville, S.C. “You’ll save about 40%, but after 150 hours they catch fi re.” Some of the knock-offs came back from distributors as “warranty returns.” Engle doesn’t know how the end users get the knock-offs, but until they get back to the factory, everybody is under the impression they’re genuine Dodge gearboxes. Poorly-made bearings contribute to excess friction and wear that cause overheating. “We’re seeing some counterfeit bearings from China,” says Bill Bayliss, business manager-aftermarket at FMC FoodTech (www.fmctechnologies.com/foodtech). “Some bearings are very sophisticated and, as a result, very expensive. But there’s a reason they’re so expensive. Some customers are finding out the hard way.” Some fake bearings are obvious on inspection. Visible clues can include packaging differences, alternate countries of origin, oddball serial number formats or differences in the look of subcomponents. Names and logos might be misspelled. Increasingly however, the more sophisticated fakes Covert identi cation Figure 1. One of the simpler tools in the battle for authentication is hidden marking, such as this code visible only under ultraviolet light. (Videojet) are essentially identical under routine inspection or testing. e hidden differences, determinable only by experts, may have serious consequences. ese nonvisible differences can include nonhardened races, alloys without adequate corrosion or wear resistance, unserviceable seals or defective lubrication, suggests Shaeffler KG, maker of INA and FAG bearings. In some cases, the fakes can look “more real” than the legitimate product, according to reports from major bearing manufacturers. In most cases, the final determination can only be made by an authorized distributor or the manufacturer. Falsification of bearing identity has reached such proportions that manufacturers, major customers and testing and certification organizations worldwide are discussing a “Global Bearing Code of Conduct,” and the Japanese Bearing Manufacturers Association has published a poster showing a pair of handcuffs whose one side is a large ball bearing. e poster says, “Counterfeit bearings are illegal. ey can cause injury or death. Don’t produce them. Don’t sell them. Don’t buy them.” Can’t judge by appearance While close visual inspection of devices and documentation is supposed to help find counterfeits, several sources say the external appearance of many fakes is so good that they’re almost indistinguishable from the genuine items. “You can’t 32 .PLANTSERVICES. J http://www.fmctechnologies.com/foodtech http://www.fmctechnologies.com/foodtech http://www.microwestsoftware.com http://www.microwestsoftware.com http://www.PLANTSERVICES.com
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