Thursday 7 September 2017

Some Small Things That Truly Matter In Ball Bearings

There are different types of Ball Bearings, and each are uniquely made, as well as the functions they serve. These components are capable of carrying loads because of their particular construction. Plus, bearings are named according to their rolling element, which is a spherical ball bearing. In fact, they may also be considered as deep groove ball bearing due to their construction and appearance, as these balls run in deep type of grooves in the bearing’s inner and outer race.


Parts of Bearings
Bearings come with different parts such as the following:

1.Cage. An essential component of a bearing, this serves an important function. Mainly, it   is a barrier in between the balls, thus preventing these elements from bumping into one    another during operation.
2.Outer Race. A stationary element of the bearing, which is installed in the housing. It     also enables the load to be transferred from bearing to housing, as this is its     essential  function.
3.Inner race. The inner race is installed on the rotating shaft. Hence, it allows rotation   of the shaft once it is mounted.
4.Balls or Rolling Elements. As the name implies, these components roll or rotate in the     inner race. They carry the load and distribute it along the raceways. Although they      rotate  in the bearing’s inner race, the speed varies from how the inner race moves.

Shielded and Sealed Ball Bearings
Ball bearings have different types based on the way these are constructed and how they function. For instance, in the case of a shielded ball bearing, the rolling elements or balls are protected from external elements such as dirt and debris. There is a particular kind of rubber or plastic that shield or protect balls from outer elements that can result in damages.

As for a sealed ball bearing, there is a lubricant inside that provides total sealing. Moreover, the seal prevents the lubricants from flowing into the balls allowing the grease to remain in the area where the rolling element is.

Additional Facts about Ball Bearings
With the way these are constructed, ball bearings can run even at high speeds and can carry medium loads. These components are present in various items including grinders, mixers and ceiling fans, to name a few. While these can hold radial loads, these may not be able to carry maximum axial loads, which limit them from being used in certain applications with this amount of weight.

As with all types of motors, it is important to conduct proper care and maintenance in ensuring the overall quality and condition of ball bearings. For instance, you need to store these components in areas that are dry and free from moisture. Corrosion can result in ball bearings that are exposed to moisture, and this prevents the component from performing as it should. It is also important to keep it properly lubricated while preventing external elements such as debris, dirt, and dust from getting into its cavity.

Ball Bearings and Predictive Maintenance
Bearing failure accounts for over half of all electric motor failures. Shaft voltage, swarf, and shaft misalignment are among the main culprits for failure.

Developing and sticking to a predictive maintenance program helps to keep an eye on the health of the bearings. Probably the best way to examine ball bearings is using vibration analysis, which of course is one of the many programs L&S Electric provides.

Conclusion
Although small in size, don’t ever underestimate just how important ball bearings are in the scheme of things. Healthy bearings help your rotating equipment run more efficiently, which of course, directly effects your bottom line.