Bearings, or devices that allow constrained relative motion between parts, are an essential part in many machines. Since they can reduce friction between parts by either its shape, by its material, or by containing a fluid between the surfaces, bearings are subjected to high wear-and-tear that must be closely monitored in order to avoid failure.
In the automotive industry, bearings can be found in parts such as the axial, allowing the shaft to rotate, or the wheels, allowing the wheel to rotate. These parts are crucial to the safety of the passengers, and having one fail could be extremely hazardous. Manufacturers strive to meet high standards, yet failures do happen. While some cannot, in many cases these failures can be prevented.
Bearing failures are caused by numerous things. These include:
• Excessive loads
• Overheating
• Brinelling
• Normal fatigue
• Reverse loading
• Contamination
• Lubricant failure
• Corrosion
• Misalignment
• Loose fits
• Tight fits
Bearing life can be estimated statistically by analyzing the load, temperature, vibration, and lubrication that each has, as well as how regular the maintenance is, giving a good idea of how long the bearings can last.
Routine maintenance to identify bearing issues before they fail can save both costly downtime and injury. In order to assess bearing damage from contamination, Aspex has developed a software platform for use on its SEM Electron Microscope (PSEM) called Advanced Quality Control (AQC). The AQC evaluates size, shape, and composition of all the particles present in a sample; thus, it is able to identify foreign particles that could lead to bearing failure due to contamination or find out which bearing is breaking down due to wear-and-tear.
By identifying what type of particle contamination is present, preventative steps can be taken to remove the source of the contamination or reduce its presence. The AQC can identify particles smaller than other optical or gravimetric inspection techniques, allowing for superior cleanliness standards and less chance of failure due to contamination. In places such as an automotive plant, the AQC helps prevent warranty issues in transmission and power steering assemblies.
While bearing failure due to normal life-expectancy cannot be prevented, failure due to contamination and other causes can with routine maintenance. The Aspex AQC for the PSEM gives manufacturers and machinists the cutting-edge technology needed to extend the lifespan of their products, giving them an effective, cost-saving tool to create clean products.
Reference:
Aspex, http://www.aspexcorp.com/industries/industrial-automation.html
Wilcoxon Research, http://www.wilcoxon.com/product_presentations/bearing.pdf
SKF, http://www.alliedbearings.com/downloads/skf_bearing_failureandcauses.pdf
Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearing_(mechanical)
