New bearing selection and specification tools available from NSK 26 February 2014

NSK has published a detailed guide to bearing design aimed at helping plant engineers involved in bearing selection for high-efficiency, high-performance gearboxes.

The company makes the point that understanding the role and design criteria for the various types of bearings within each gearbox is key to ensuring the correct specification is used when constructing or repairing a gearbox, whatever the size.

It also makes the point that NSK is now using advanced materials and live predictive models to find optimum solutions for the variety of industrial duties and conditions – so understanding is a moving target.

"Within any gearbox there are a number of bearings, each with a specific purpose, and different operating conditions – therefore requiring differing designs," says a spokesperson.

"Different gear designs make specific demands on the bearings, while the arrangement of the gear shafts and the lubrication system also dictate the requirements of the bearing design."

NSK goes on to note that calculating bearing load and direction requires considerable knowledge and is crucial in making the correct bearing selection. Bearing type is just the beginning of the selection process, which continues to include base material, size, cage design and lubrication systems.

One other factor is bearing life, which is mainly driven by the application itself. To help on this front, NSK has developed ABLE (advanced bearing life equation) Forecaster software, which uses data from real applications and tests, and combines it with information concerning lubrication systems, environmental conditions, contamination factors and material analysis to provide a predictive model.

Free copies of NSK's Bearings for Industrial Gearboxes brochure are available by calling: 0500 2327464 and quoting: IG/C/E/12.11 and the title of the publication.

Brian Tinham

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