The Generalized Bearing Life Model (GBLM) developed by SKF will ensure that company users and distributors always choose the right bearings for the right applications.

So far, engineers have found it difficult to predict whether hybrid bearings will perform better than steel bearings in specific applications, or whether the performance advantages brought by hybrid bearings are worth their additional investment.

Due to the fact that the conventional equations used by engineers to calculate the rated life of bearings cannot reflect the true performance of hybrid bearings, SKF engineers began developing the Generalized Bearing Life Model (GBLM) in 2012 to address this issue.

Although the main version of the model was launched at the HANNOVER MESSE in 2015, at this stage, the model is not yet ready to undertake the computational task of hybrid bearings. Because SKF Netherlands and Audi's technology workers will need another four years to integrate this feature into the generalized bearing life model.

By using the generalized bearing life model, engineers can determine the practical advantages that hybrid bearings may have. For example, if it is a poorly lubricated pump bearing, the rated life of the hybrid bearing will be eight times that of a steel bearing. Meanwhile, for screw compressor bearings operated with contaminated lubricants, the service life of hybrid bearings will be one hundred times longer than traditional steel bearings.

At present, the ability to select bearings through SKF Bearing Company has been provided to SKF users and distributors. The bearings selected from SKF Bearing Company can be used as hybrid deep groove ball bearings and hybrid cylindrical roller bearings.