Over the years, SSAB has experienced numerous bearing failures in the oscillation drive system, with production losses as a consequence. This case study is an account of an eight-month period of trial measurements at the SSAB continuous casting plant in Luleå in northern Sweden. The purpose of the trial was to determine system functionality and its capacity to detect the weak signals emitted by a damaged bearing at the relatively low speeds (approx. 120 RPM) of the oscillating mold.

During the test measurement period, four bearing damages were detected in the drive mechanism of the oscillation mold.

SSAB is a world leading producer of cold steels and advanced high strength steels, and Scandinavia's largest manufacturer of strip products. SSAB has production facilities in Luleå, Borlänge and Oxelösund in Sweden. The production facility in Luleå produces steel slabs which are transported from there to Borlänge in central Sweden for rolling and processing into strip products.