Rolling bearings are one of the most important components in industrial machinery and in general machinery of any kind. As a type of rotation machinery, rolling bearings are widely used in many industries, including automotive industry, aerospace industry, industrial equipment and household appliances, among others. As such, it is essential for operators to thoroughly inspect and understand the causes of failure for rolling bearing as part of their preventative maintenance routine.
Common failure symptoms and causes of rolling bearings include:
1. Abnormal bearing noise and vibration caused by improper lubrication, irregular mounting or misalignment, defects in cage or retainer, or non-uniform bearing internal clearance or external noise interference.
2. Abnormal wear or sharp edges caused by incorrect bearing selection, excessive bearing load or speed, temperature or lubrication problems, as well as poor installation.
3. Bearing seizure caused by contamination or debris, improper bearing priming or poor lubrication, inadequate pre-load or incorrect bearing installation.
4. Bearing corrosion caused by unprotected bearings in wet environments, improper lubrication, poor quality lubricant or inadequate lubrication.
In order to troubleshoot and fix any bearing related failure, it is essential that the root cause of the failure be identified. Common failure analysis techniques include visual inspection, acoustic emission (AE) test, operating temperature and vibration analysis. Visual inspection is one of the most frequently used non-destructive testing methods for detecting and identifying bearing related problems. It is able to help identify problems such as wear, sound and grease leakage, corrosion, and misalignment. AE test is an acoustic analysis technique that can detect small material defects, deformations and fatigue cracks by measuring the acoustic emissions generated during bearing operation. Vibration analysis is used for obtaining a real-time 10x-magnified acoustic signal of bearing anomalies using a tool such as a vibration meter or accelerometer. The operating temperature of rolling bearings can also be used to monitor bearing health and detect abnormal conditions, such as misalignment, overloading, misalignment, and excessive lubrication.
Once the root cause of the rolling bearing failures has been identified, it is important to take corrective actions accordingly. Common corrective actions can include replacing worn out bearings, lubricating bearings properly, removing debris and foreign objects, resetting mounting and alignment, restricting bearings overheating, and properly aligning and pre-loading the bearings. It is important to consult the instruction manuals to ensure that the correct bearing is used in the application, that the bearing is installed with the correct pre-load and lubrication, and that it is mounted and aligned properly.
In conclusion, understanding the causes of rolling bearing failure can be a difficult and time-consuming task. It is imperative that the root cause be identified first before any corrective actions can be taken. Proper installation and regular maintenance of the bearings is extremely essential for ensuring the longevity of the components. Regular visual inspection and temperature monitoring of the bearings should be undertaken as part of the preventive maintenance program. In the event of bearing failure, proper failure analysis must be carried out to determine the exact cause of the failure.
