Three types of harsh environments requiring special bearings

Generally speaking, most bearings, cam followers and other rolling elements are made of AISI52100 material, which is a mixture of degassed low-alloy steel containing a large amount of chromium and carbon. AISI52100 material has high hardness grade and excellent wear resistance and deformability. These characteristics make AISI52100 material an ideal material for ball bearing and needle bearing applications. Bearings made of AISI52100 are used in a wide range of industries, from mining and material processing to entertainment and power generation.

However, standard AISI52100 bearings cannot withstand some harsh environments, so special materials are often needed to produce rolling parts. In these cases, AISI304, AISI440, AISI630, titanium, ceramic and grease-free bearings can be used.

When selecting the correct type of bearing material for your specific application, the following conditions should be kept in mind:

Corrosive environment

Many industries operate in well-known corrosive environments, including food processing, semiconductors, metal plating, medical equipment, and military markets.

In the food processing industry alone, high costs are required to repair corrosion-related damage every year. Food processing usually requires a lot of water, which is corrosive; high-acid foods, such as sauces, salad dressings and kimchi, are more corrosive. This environment can lead to rapid equipment degradation, costly maintenance downtime, and food contamination.

Equipment in the semiconductor and medical industries also undergo rigorous cleaning, decontamination and disinfection procedures, which usually involve the use of harsh corrosive chemicals. The metal plating process requires alkaline and acid treatments. The military has strict anti-corrosion requirements for equipment (including vehicles, weapons and other machinery) to help them withstand harsh environmental conditions.

For all these highly corrosive environments, standard AISI52100 bearings are unqualified; special corrosion-resistant bearings are required to ensure normal operation. In these cases, bearings made of titanium or AISI304, AISI440 or AISI630 stainless steel should be considered.

High temperature environment

The temperature in many industrial environments is at least 400 degrees Celsius (752 degrees Fahrenheit). For example, in the corrugated board manufacturing process, a series of rollers are used to curl the central groove and adhere the outer sheet to the groove. These rollers are heated to about 365 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure normal operation, special high-temperature bearings are required. Metal processing also requires very high temperatures and corrosion resistance, because the pH value fluctuates during processing.

The ideal temperature-resistant bearing will be made of AISI304 or AISI630 stainless steel because these metals are resistant to both high temperature and corrosion. Grease-free bearings are another good choice because bearing lubrication often fails under high temperature conditions.

Electric environment

Electric current can cause incredible damage to metal parts. For the bearing, it will cause a series of problems, including the air passage in the bearing race, the pitting corrosion of the needle roller bearing and the decrease of lubrication performance. For example, various electric motors, electric traction motors in railway applications, and medical equipment such as magnetic resonance imagers all involve high-stress environments with large amounts of electrical activity.

Ceramic bearings, as well as ceramic insulated metal bearings, are ideal for high-charge applications. Ceramic materials, with a few rare exceptions, are very poor electrical conductors; although they can accept large voltages, they can dissipate this electrical energy very effectively. The passing current hardly causes degradation.

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What are the design considerations for food-grade bearings?

Bearings are widely used in the food and beverage industry as components in various food processing and packaging machinery. Food-grade bearings must withstand extreme conditions in many applications. Therefore, the life and performance of bearings used in these applications are largely affected by the decisions of designers and engineers. Design considerations that may affect bearing durability in food-grade applications include material, lubrication type, and shielding options.

Bearings for food processing and packaging must withstand harsh operating conditions and the same harsh cleaning procedures to comply with strict hygiene standards and government regulations. Common conditions that bearings must endure include: contact with corrosive food and beverage ingredients, contact with cleaning chemicals, high-pressure washing, and high ambient humidity

Regulatory requirements for the food processing and packaging industry

Food manufacturers have been subject to production and processing regulations for decades, and these standards are still evolving. National and local governments have very strict regulations on the food processing and packaging industry.

The materials used in food packaging or production must be national and local regulations and requirements. This usually includes the bearings and lubricants used in the processing equipment.

The following factors must be considered when the production meets the requirements of food grade bearings:

Lubrication method

Like most bearings, lubrication plays a vital role in extending the life of food-grade bearings and improving their overall performance. Food processing and packaging equipment requires special lubricants that can withstand the harsh conditions generated during the cooking process and the frequent washing required to maintain hygienic conditions.

The choice of lubricant depends on the various conditions that the bearing will be subjected to, as well as any relevant regulatory requirements for the particular type of operation or product. Since lubrication may come into contact with food, the lubricant used must meet specific regulatory standards.

Proper lubrication depends entirely on the specific conditions of the application. Generally, lubricants should have good anti-corrosion and anti-wear properties. Lubricants used in high temperature applications must maintain oxidation stability at standard operating temperatures.
Materials

Not all metals are suitable for food processing and packaging. The materials used in the manufacture of food-grade bearings should have the highest purity to create durable and highly corrosion-resistant bearings. Metals such as stainless steel are widely used in food processing.

Although expensive, nitrogen-strengthened martensitic stainless steel bearings with extremely corrosive elements are often selected. The corrosion resistance of these bearings is five times that of standard stainless steel bearings.
seal

Bearings in food processing plants and packaging plants are constantly exposed to liquids and various types of debris and are often washed. Sealed or shielded bearings are essential to keep lubricant in the assembly while keeping unwanted debris and fluid out of the inside of the bearing assembly.

The seals and protective covers used must also comply with food industry regulations and guidelines for use with liquids, food and chemicals, so that they will not contaminate any products. Nitrile rubber and fluorine rubber are the most commonly used sealing materials for food-grade bearings, and they may also be wrapped in stainless steel or galvanized steel. The design and construction of the seal can significantly improve the function of the bearing in extreme environments.

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Four type of bearings for machine tool spindles

In the machine tool industry, the spindle is a key component that uses high-speed rotation and pressure forming materials. With the advancement of modern machinery, the requirements for machining equipment are getting higher and higher, more precise and more durable. The bearing is a key component that guides and strengthens the movement of the main shaft. The use of high-quality bearings improves the working efficiency and reliability of the machine tool spindle, thereby increasing output and reducing mechanical wear.
The demand for bearings in the machine tool industry

With the advent of CNC technology, people expect machine tools to be more accurate, efficient, and reliable than ever before. In order to remain competitive, machining companies are investing in high-quality bearings to ensure the highest equipment performance. The overall purpose of the spindle bearing is to improve and simplify the movement of the spindle to ensure the best machine speed and accuracy. Bearings affect the speed, rotation, vibration, accuracy, and temperature of the machine tool, thereby changing the quality of the final product.

Bearings usually consist of one or a series of rings with balls or other rolling elements that streamline the movement of the main shaft in the desired direction. According to the equipment and the required movement, the bearing can be designed to facilitate the movement of the main shaft on the transverse and radial shafts. They must be able to withstand the load pressure, temperature and high speed of the machine tool spindle.

Bearings used in machine tool spindles are divided into four categories. Each bearing design has some characteristics that make it very useful in certain applications. It is very important to understand the working principle of each bearing, so you can choose the best bearing for your equipment.

Angular contact ball bearings

Angular contact ball bearings are the most common spindle bearings. They are rolling bearings, consisting of one or more rows of rolling balls between concentric grooved rings. They are useful for both radial and axial loads in one direction, and their axial load carrying capacity is determined by the angle of contact between the load and the bearing. The larger the angle, the higher the carrying capacity.

Radial or deep groove bearings

In industrial machinery, radial bearings are rolling bearings, which are mainly used to carry bearings on radial shafts. Like angular contact bearings, they consist of an inner ring and an outer ring with rolling balls between the inner ring and the outer ring; however, radial bearings can carry loads in both axial directions, making them more versatile than angular contact bearings .

Roller bearing

Roller bearings enhance movement by using rollers instead of balls. They are mainly used to support radial loads and axial loads parallel to the shaft in one direction. They are very useful in medium and high speed applications, which can reduce friction and increase equipment speed.

Thrust ball bearing

Thrust ball bearings are designed to support heavy, high-precision thrust loads, providing very precise axial support parallel to the drive shaft, but almost no radial support. The rolling elements can be balls, rollers or needles, depending on the application. They are particularly suitable for applications such as propeller engines, which support the free and easy movement of heavy objects parallel to the shaft.

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Food grade solid lubricating stainless steel bearings

In sensitive food-grade applications and corrosive environments, selecting the right bearing is essential to ensure the best system life and reliability. In these demanding settings, bearings must provide high performance and durability without the need for frequent maintenance or replacement.

Over the years, bearing manufacturers have developed a series of solutions designed to resist the general wear inherent in applications that are constantly exposed to corrosive elements or continuous high-pressure washing. For example, stainless steel bearings, solid lubricants, seals and slings can be used to make unique components that provide high performance and long life while resisting bearing contamination.

The bearing unit uses food-grade solid lubricants and a safety front cover, which is designed to provide maintenance-free performance, reduce downtime and increase cost savings.

Food-safe solid lubricants do not need to be reused after installation, and because these bearings are resistant to erosion, they can easily withstand the continuous cleaning required in hygiene-critical food and beverage applications.

The combination of seal and slinger ring is used to form a scour-resistant barrier, which also helps prevent bearing contamination, as is the 100% stainless steel bearing structure. Stainless steel also helps prevent chipping and corrosion, which can eventually lead to failure of contaminated bearing parts. Finally, the protective cover provides additional moisture and pollution prevention measures, while helping to protect maintenance personnel.

Food-safe solid lubricating oil is a polymer product containing food-safe oil, which can be used in the temperature range of 14°F to 212°F and can be used in many food applications. The oil is stored in a porous material, which acts like a sponge, ensuring that only the required amount of base oil is released to lubricate the movement of the parts. This allows for continuous lubrication, extending bearing life and reducing the need for maintenance and replacement.

Since this food-grade lubricant is contained in a sponge-like cavity, it will not come into contact with the high-pressure washing that must be carried out regularly to eliminate contaminants; H1 solid lubricants can easily resist these washings and remain intact and effective. In addition, the design of the seal and oil slinger eliminates the risk of lubricating oil leakage, which will attract dust and dirt around the bearing.
Common applications

In addition to being an ideal solution for food-grade applications, some needle bearing series are also very suitable for corrosive environments due to their unique seal and slinger design.

These bearings can be used in many sectors that have direct or accidental contact with food, such as conveyors, bottling/canning, dairy processing, seafood and meat processing, cosmetics and pharmaceutical production. Our bearings are particularly suitable for mixing, mixing, separating, cooking, drying, packaging and packaging applications in these industries. Locations that are difficult to maintain or inaccessible can also benefit from these bearings because they do not require regular maintenance or replacement after the initial installation.

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Miniature precision bearings in robotics

Thin-section bearings with constant section can significantly save space and reduce the weight of the entire system-an ideal advantage when designing complex and critical applications. Even for large-diameter bearings, the generally square cross-section remains constant. Thin bearings are usually used when space is limited or conventional bearings cannot be used in specific design configurations. They can be used in many applications and have a variety of contact angle designs, including radial contact, angular contact and four-point contact.

Meanwhile, miniature ball bearings are small bearings that use balls as rolling elements. Miniature precision bearings can be widely used in precision robotics applications, helping to reduce friction between parts that need to move independently, while effectively saving space in compact applications, such as medical, instrumentation, and semiconductor equipment. These balls are available in various sizes to meet the needs of specific projects.

Due to its unique design advantages, thin bearings and miniature ball bearings are often used in robotics and other critical applications.

Common thin section bearing applications

Different from most radial ball bearings, regardless of the aperture size, the cross-sectional diameter of the thin-section bearing remains the same, thereby reducing the system cost and simplifying the overall design. Its compact, lightweight design makes it ideal for a variety of robotic applications, including manual assistance, pick and place, semiconductor and medical.

High-tech applications usually require customized bearings with special materials, surface coatings or lubricants to meet special machine requirements. Thin section bearings can effectively meet these types of application requirements, including very low or uniform torque, high positioning accuracy, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with very clean environments. The application of camera equipment also utilizes thin-section bearings because their light weight helps to ensure the rigidity and stability of the system.

The challenge of miniaturization
Although miniature bearings are extremely versatile, they may still bring various maintenance and flexibility challenges. The smaller the bearing, the more important it is to keep an eye on these issues. First, regular maintenance is required to maintain longevity and smooth operation. For this reason, regular lubrication or lubrication of built-in bearings is essential.

Similarly, for small bearings, size and capacity options may be relatively limited, which is a problem for high-load projects. If your application requires a certain size or width, make sure to pair with a company that can provide appropriate bearings or customized services.

In some cases, smaller bearing sizes may also preclude design flexibility. Whether you are looking for corrosion-resistant coatings, ceramic balls or interchangeable components, you can pair with suppliers who can provide the options you need.

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How to adjust the gap between the bearings by adjusting the gasket?

Adjuster gaskets are commonly used in electronic instruments, mold manufacturing, precision machinery, hardware, mechanical parts, stamping parts, and small hardware manufacturing. Repair molds, measure mold gaps, shake, swing, and instability due to mechanical aging. This product can be used to solve machine maintenance problems. How to use adjusting shim to adjust the bearing axial clearance and the position of the gear?

The method of adjusting the gap of the bearing is as follows:

First, use addition and subtraction to adjust the adjustment shim between the bearing cap and the base. Fill a set of gaskets of soft material (soft steel sheet or elastic paper) between the bearing end cover and the end face of the bearing seat; during adjustment, first do not install the gaskets on the bearing end cover, and tighten the bearing evenly on one side The screw on the end cover turns the shaft by hand until the rolling elements of the bearing contact with the outer ring and there is no gap in the shaft; at this time, measure the gap between the end cover of the bearing and the end face of the bearing seat, plus the need for normal bearing operation This is the total thickness of the gasket required between the bearing end cover and the end face of the bearing seat, and then fill the required gasket between the bearing end cover and the end face of the bearing seat, and tighten the screws.

Then, use the screws installed on the bearing cover to push the gland that presses on the outer ring of the bearing. Since most gears and shafts are installed in the form of shoulder or step positioning at one end, and spacer positioning at the other end, the position of the gear can only be adjusted by increasing the length of the spacer.

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Precautions when installing thrust ball bearings

Precautions when installing thrust ball bearings

In the assembly process of thrust ball bearings, planar thrust bearings are mainly used for bearing axial load and are widely used. Although the installation operation of the thrust bearing is simple, the installation operation of the thrust ball bearing is relatively simple, but there are still errors in actual maintenance, that is, the installation position of the tight ring and loose ring of the bearing is incorrect, which leads to the failure of the bearing and the rapid wear of the journal . The tight ring and the axial neck are transitionally matched, so that the axial neck is quickly worn and dropped.

When the shaft rotates, the inner ring of the tight ring and the journal make a transitional fit, which drives the tight ring to friction with the end surface of the stationary part. When the shaft rotates, it drives the end surface of the stationary part to friction. When the axial force (Fx) When acting, the friction torque generated is greater than the resistance torque of the inner diameter matching. When the axial force (Fx) acts, the friction torque generated is greater than the resistance torque of the inner diameter matching. The guide (FX) forces the tightening ring to rotate and aggravate the journal wear.

Therefore, the following points should be paid attention to when installing thrust bearings.
1. Distinguish the tight ring and loose ring of the bearing, judge according to the size of the inner diameter of the bearing, divide the hole diameter of the tight ring and loose ring of the bearing into 0.1~0.5mm, the difference is 0.1~0.5mm)

2. The static block of the separation mechanism (that is, there is no moving part, mainly refers to the static block equipped with the separation mechanism).

3. In any case, the loose ring of the bearing should always rest on the end face of the fixed part.

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How to install needle roller bearings?

When the full needle roller bearing is installed, an auxiliary sleeve is generally used. The auxiliary roller cover or the auxiliary roller cover supports the auxiliary roller cover so that the auxiliary roller cover does not fall off, and the auxiliary roller cover uses its own chamfer to lift the auxiliary roller cover. When the auxiliary roller cover slowly moves inward, the auxiliary roller cover or The secondary roller cover slowly withdraws until the secondary roller cover is installed. The outer diameter of the auxiliary coil and the auxiliary sleeve should be 0.1~0.3mm smaller than the shaft diameter.

In addition, the needle roller bearing can also be installed in this way. The outer diameter of the auxiliary sleeve is coated with a thin layer of lubricating oil, and it is inserted into the outer ring of the bearing, so that the auxiliary sleeve and the outer ring of the bearing form an annular hole, and then the needle Fit it into the annular hole. After installing the needle, use the working shaft to push out the auxiliary sleeve.

For needle roller bearings without inner ring and outer ring, a thin layer of grease can be applied to the rolling surface of the shaft hole or housing hole first, and then the needles can be affixed to the grease on the mounting part in turn. After installing all the needle rollers, leave a gap. The size of the gap should be 0.5mm in circumference of the needle roller bearing.

For needle roller bearings that are only used for stamping outer rings, because the outer ring wall is very thin, they cannot be knocked and installed by hand, and should be pressed in with a press. As the pressure is uneven when the hand hammer is hit, it is easy to cause local deformation of the outer ring of the needle roller bearing.

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What is the structural difference between deep groove ball bearings and angular contact ball bearings?

Deep groove ball bearings are typical rolling bearings. They are widely used and can withstand radial and bidirectional axial loads. They are suitable for high-speed rotation and require low noise and vibration. Sealed bearings with steel plate dust caps or rubber seals, Pre-filled lubricating grease, outer ring bearing with stop ring or flange, easy to locate axially, and easy to install on the shell. The larger size bearing is the same as the standard bearing, but the inner and outer rings have a fixed groove , Increase the number of ball loading and increase the rated load.

Angular contact ball bearings: There is a contact angle between the ring and the ball. The standard contact angle is 15/25 to 40 degrees. When the contact angle is large, the axial load capacity is large. The small contact angle is good for high-speed rotation. Single row bearings can withstand radial directions. Load and unidirectional axial load. DB, DF and double row angular contact ball bearings can bear radial load and bidirectional axial load. DT group is suitable for occasions with large unidirectional axial load and insufficient single bearing rated load. Use ACH at high speed Type bearings, with small ball diameter and large number of balls, are mainly used for machine tool spindles.
All in all, angular contact ball bearings are suitable for high-speed, high-precision rotating occasions. Deep groove ball bearings and angular contact ball bearings with the same inner and outer diameters and the same width have the same inner ring size and structure, but the outer ring size and structure are different.

1. Deep groove ball bearings have double shoulders on both sides of the outer ring raceway, and angular contact ball bearings generally have only one shoulder;

2. The curvature of the outer ring raceway of deep groove ball bearings is different from that of angular contact ball bearings, and is often greater than that of angular contact ball bearings;

3. The position of the outer ring channel of deep groove ball bearings is different from that of angular contact ball bearings. It is not at the center position. The specific value is considered during design and is related to the size of the contact angle.

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How are angular contact ball bearings maintained?

How are angular contact ball bearings maintained?

1. When the bearing runs for a certain period (or warranty period), remove all the bearings;

2. Use diesel or kerosene to soak and clean the bearing. If there are technical conditions, the sealing cover can be opened for cleaning;

3. Dry the cleaning oil after cleaning, and check whether the appearance is damaged;

4. Use a wooden rod with a diameter of about 150mm and an inner diameter such as an angular contact ball bearing (a hollow tube is better), and the bearing is fixed at one end;

5. Rotate the bearing quickly by hand, and at the same time put the other end of the wooden stick (wood tube) on the ear or the microphone of the audio amplifier, so as to listen to the noise of bearing rotation;

6. After fixing the bearing, move the wooden pole horizontally to check whether the bearing is worn or loose;

7. FAG bearings with severe looseness, excessive rotating noise, and severe defects should be eliminated and replaced with the same model;

8. Take an appropriate amount of lubricating grease (preferably yellow dry oil) and melt it with a slow flame (not overheating), and immerse the tested bearing in the barrel so that there is no bubble overflow. Remove the bearing from the lubricating oil before cooling, the amount of remaining lubricating oil is small. After the lubricating oil is cooled, the angular contact ball bearing is removed, and there is a large amount of remaining grease. Determine the amount of grease remaining when necessary.

9. Wipe the grease on the outside of the bearing with a soft cloth or toilet paper, install the fixing device of the bearing on the pulley, and the maintenance work is over.

Decho is a professional supplier of angular contact ball bearings. If you need any , pls feel free to contact us by email [email protected]