Rolling bearing damage
Rolling bearings are some of the most common components of machinery and equipment in all industries, so their vibration diagnostics are widely used.
The basis for assessing the technical condition of machines is their monitoring with special attention to the wear and tear of bearings, as well as the correctness of assembly or shaft concentricity. With the use of properly selected tools and appropriately chosen measurement methods, maintenance departments can accurately plan tasks. This is done to prevent failures and production process downtime.
Bearings are often damaged by errors of use. If we provide them with the right conditions, they should work through the time resulting from fatigue strength.
The skillful use and analysis of the results of diagnostic measurements made possible by the use of appropriately selected measurement tools such as vibration meters and analyzers, among other things, allows us to extend operating time, reduce maintenance costs and avoid unplanned failures and related financial losses for the company.
The main factors affecting the improvement of the technical condition of bearings are the quality of lubrication, correctness of assembly, maintenance of concentricity and reduction of vibrations.
Types of rolling bearing damage
The most common types of rolling bearing damage include:
• Wear caused by the negative effect of abrasive particles causing minor damage to the raceways and rolling elements.
Prevention: careful installation, cleanliness at the workstation and all machine components
• Insufficient relubrication or overlubrication, affecting the operating temperature.
Prevention: regular inspection of the lubricant and lubrication system, operating conditions, and correct sealing
• High level of bearing vibration.
Prevention: check balancing, alignment, clearances, regular temperature monitoring
• Corrosion.
Prevention: improve bearing storage conditions, correct sealing, check lubricants, correct bearing maintenance
• Peeling.
Prevention: check the load, clearance and accuracy of the shaft and housing, lubricant and lubrication method, as well as careful installation
• Cracks on lateral surfaces.
Prevention: installation with appropriate tools
• Lack of concentricity.
Prevention: proper mounting of the bearing
Defects in bearings are manifested by loss or deformation, which eventually leads to complete degradation of the bearing, so it is very important to diagnose them.