Bearings are essential to contemporary equipment. Bearings are everywhere, from cars to appliances. Our machines operate and move because these simple things prevent friction from hindering their performance and lifetime.
There are different types of bearings. One form of bearing is the deep groove ball bearing. These bearings are widely used in every industry because to their adaptability, efficiency, and simplicity. However, a bearing is only as good as the preload process. Said another way, you will be able to do your best with a deep groove ball bearing only when installed and preloaded properly.
This blog shall discuss deep groove ball bearings and give readers a view of how the ‘nitty-gritty’ of their preloading processes is done.Importance of Preloading Deep Groove Ball Bearings
Prior to checking out the preloading approaches, we have to first understand why preloading is so important for bearings of all kinds.
For starters, preloading is a force that acts between the rolling elements and bearing rings, which is not triggered by an external load. So, we can consider preloading as a negative internal clearance.
A few of the reasons that make preloading absolutely essential are –
●Reduction in noise level of the bearings
●Enhanced stiffness
●Better shaft guidance
●Extended bearing service life
●Improved running accuracy
●Prevention of skidding in high-speed application during rapid starts and stops, and under very light or no-load conditions
How to Preload Deep Groove Ball Bearings
The two primary methods of preloading bearings, including deep groove ball bearings, are rigid and spring. Let us understand them in detail.
1.Rigid Preload
Using a precision locknut or clamping device with flat, perpendicularly machined faces, the stiff preloading method applies a load. The nut applies an axial load to the inner or outer bearing ring, with the opposing side located against a shoulder on the shaft or housing.
You can use spaces between individual bearings to ensure that one locknut or clamping element can be used to preload multiple bearings. In addition, you can also leverage shims to obtain the adequate preload.
NSAR offers customization and production of Pillow Block Ball Bearings and Needle Roller Bearings. Contact our bearing experts for the latest information.
Features of Rigid Preloading
●Higher radial and axial rigidity
●Limited speed, when compared to spring preloading (which we will discuss later)
●May cause change in the thermal expansion of the shaft and the housing due to temperature alterations
●There can slight variations in the amount of preload during operation
2.Spring Preload
The second method of preloading deep groove ball bearings is the spring preload, also known as constant pressure preloading. In this approach, an axial force is applied to the non-rotating inner or outer bearing ring by spring. You can use different types of springs for the process, such as –
●Wave springs
●Coil springs
●Belleville Springs
●Finger Springs
But, you should also remember that wave springs, Belleville springs and finger springs are easier to implement, as you can place them directly between the bearing ring and a mounting surface.
Features of Spring Preload
●It is ideal for applications subject to thermal expansion, as the force applied by spring is relatively constant throughout its compressions
●Springs eliminate the need to hold tight tolerations
●Higher noise reduction
●Tolerance towards high operating speeds