Corpus Christi Army Depot pursuing bearing reclamation Level II certification

Article by Aaron Hoss, Bearing Branch Chief, Directorate of Manufacturing Process Production & Justin Vance, General Engineer, Directorate of Production Engineering

Although bearing steel is hard, bearings can often become worn or damaged throughout their life cycle. Bearings that support rotary wing aircraft components within engines, transmissions, rotor heads, etc. are not exempt from this. However, these bearings are crucial, as they enable the aircraft to meet its mission. Our service men and women must be able to trust that these tools will work properly.

The Corpus Christi Army Depot inspects and services bearings that are used in rotary wing aircraft such as the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and UH-60 Black Hawk.

Roy Hollins, director Manufacturing Process Production said, “The Bearing Branch inspects over 3,500 aviation and non-aviation bearing parts numbers.”

Depending on its use, a bearing can endure multiple iterations of overhaul during its life cycle. After each of these overhaul iterations, while being deemed usable, the bearing will continue its life until it fails to meet serviceability and airworthiness requirements set forth by the presiding engineering specifications.

In depots and arsenals, overhaul consists primarily of performing a Bearing Level I inspection by a trained artisan. During a Level I inspection, a bearing is cleaned, inspected, preserved, and packaged in accordance with all technical requirements.

“The branch can work the smallest of bearings, with the capability to measure within one millionth of an inch,” said Hollins.?

Bearings that are unserviceable at the CCAD Bearing Reclamation Facility are considered beyond economical repair and disposed of.

Acquiring Bearing Level II certification will provide the opportunity to extend the life cycle of bearings. Level II certification rework and refurbishment includes all processes found in Level I certification, plus one or more of the following: replacing rolling elements (balls or rollers), interchanging components (rings, rolling elements, retainers), or honing of bearing raceways.?

Once process, procedures, and capabilities are established, the BRF will move forward with performing Level II functions to focus on the benefits of being a Bearing Level II certified facility.

Becoming a Level II certified entity and performing Level II rework will allow CCAD, and the Army as a whole, to experience many benefits. With the additional opportunity to rework a bearing, unserviceable bearing fallouts should occur less often.

Bearings reworked to Level II standards will ensure that CCAD and the Army will be less affected by supply chain supportability issues. In some instances, high-cost bearings may be able to be reworked instead of being scrapped to procure replacements.

Establishing Level II capability also enhances the BRF’s ability to surge when necessary.

Aaron Hoss is the Bearing Branch Chief in the Directorate of Manufacturing Process Production. Justin Vance is a General Engineer in the Directorate of Production Engineering at the Corpus Christi Army Depot.