The way a bearing is maintained and operated has a huge impact on its performance. Proper maintenance and handling leads to longer bearing life, minimizes downtime and increases productivity, which ultimately results in cost savings and lower cost of ownership for your business. Here is a simple 8-point checklist to ensure your bearing is always managed correctly and therefore optimizing performance.
1. Handle bearings with care
Bearings are precision components. As such, they must be handled and stored appropriately to prevent contaminants from entering. Bearings must be stored horizontally, in a clean and dry environment, with the packaging intact. Care must be taken to avoid exposing bearings to airborne contaminants, as just a small particle of dirt on a raceway can cause premature bearing failure. Do not hammer, tap, or apply direct force to a bearing or its outer ring. This can cause damage and misalignment of the rolling elements. Furthermore, bearings should not be installed if they have been dropped or mishandled, as small cracks and scratches can cause poor performance and, consequently, premature bearing failure.
Do not remove bearings from their original packaging until they are ready for use as they may be exposed to airborne contaminants such as dust and dirt.
2. Inspect the bearing housing and shaft
Before mounting a bearing, inspect the housing and shaft for physical condition or damage. Use a soft cloth to clean surfaces and ensure any scratches and stains are removed.
3. Apply the correct mounting method
When installing bearings, the correct method to use depends on the type of bearing and the type of fit. Bearings with cylindrical bores are typically mounted using the press fit method (mounting by pressing the bearing onto the shafts) or hot fit (heating the bearing to expand its diameter). Bearings with tapered bores can be mounted directly on tapered or cylindrical shafts with the aid of tapered bushings. Please note that pressure should only be applied with a pressure setting. Applying pressure without a pressure setting on the ring will damage the races.
4. Avoid direct heating or overheating
The maximum allowable bearing temperature depends on the heat treatment of the material. Temperatures above the thermal limit can permanently deform or soften the bearing steel, thus reducing the load capacity and leading to eventual failures.
Never heat a bearing using an open flame. Ideally, the bearings should be heated with induction heaters.
5. Use appropriate tools
Always use the appropriate equipment when handling bearings or during the assembly and disassembly process. Some of the specialized tools available for assembly and disassembly are bearing pullers, bearing assembly tool kits, oil injector kits, hydraulic nuts or induction heaters. These tools are customized to ensure a smooth assembly and disassembly process and minimize the risk of bearing damage.
Avoid using generic tools to handle bearings. They are not specialized for bearings and can cause unwanted damage and incur unnecessary repair costs.
6. Prevent corrosion
If bearings are exposed to water over time, rust and corrosion can occur. This will cause premature bearing fatigue and over time will affect machine performance and productivity, increasing operating costs.
When handling bearings, wear gloves, as hand sweat, water or other contaminants can cause corrosion. You can also use a water-resistant grease as a lubricant, which will act as a protective barrier in humid environments.
For extremely corrosive environments, you may consider using bearings with different materials, such as ceramic bearings.
7. Proper lubrication is essential
Proper lubrication is extremely important if you want your bearings to have a long life. Lubricants can be oil or grease and the right lubricant depends on several factors such as environmental conditions, temperature, speed and load. Follow the bearing manufacturer's recommendations for the most appropriate grade and type of lubricant. Failure to use the correct lubricant may cause machine failure or void the warranty.
Check lubrication levels frequently and be sure to change lubricants at least once a year.
8. Observe and check for danger signs
The final step is to observe and pay attention to any signs of abnormal or poor bearing performance. Examples include excessive noise, increased temperature, or abnormal vibration. If bearings exhibit any of these signs, they should be monitored more carefully and, if necessary, removed before further damage to the equipment or machinery occurs.
Vibration analysis can help you track and detect any bearing distress signals early. Vibration analysis is part of condition monitoring, which can include technologies such as thermography, vibration analysis and oil analysis, tools that can help compare the current states of bearings with historical data and therefore provide an accurate life assessment. remaining useful life of the bearing.
Tools like vibrating pens can also provide a quick, compact and easy option for checking the condition of rotating equipment. This can provide early warning of potential machine problems before a costly breakdown or breakdown.
