How to detect faults in spherical sealed spherical roller bearings
Listening inspection
Noise analysis: Listening inspection is a common method for detecting bearing faults. Under normal circumstances, spherical sealed spherical roller bearings should produce a smooth sound when running. However, when there is a problem with the bearing, abnormal noises may be emitted, such as wear, clicking, or abnormal noises. These abnormal sounds usually indicate problems inside the bearing, such as poor contact between the rolling element and the raceway, insufficient lubrication, or foreign matter entering. In order to accurately identify the problem, professional equipment such as a listening device can be used to capture and analyze the noise signal, especially when the equipment is running. The degree of wear of the bearing and the possible cause of the fault can be determined by the frequency and volume changes of the noise. Regular noise inspections can help detect potential problems early and prevent further deterioration of the fault.
Vibration monitoring
Vibration analysis: Vibration monitoring is an effective fault diagnosis tool. Under normal working conditions, the vibration of spherical sealed spherical roller bearings should be kept within a relatively stable range. The vibration frequency, amplitude and its changes of the bearing can be detected using a vibration analyzer. The vibration signal of the bearing contains important information about the health of the bearing. For example, frequent vibration fluctuations may indicate that the bearing is out of round, unbalanced, or internally damaged. By analyzing the vibration signal, abnormal bearing conditions can be identified and fault diagnosis can be performed. Vibration monitoring can not only help locate the problem, but also assess the remaining service life of the bearing and develop maintenance and replacement plans. Regular vibration monitoring helps avoid sudden failures and reduce equipment downtime.
Temperature measurement
Temperature monitoring: The operating temperature of the bearing is an important indicator of its working condition. Under normal circumstances, the operating temperature of the spherical sealed spherical roller bearing should be within the design range. If the bearing temperature is found to be abnormally high, this may be caused by insufficient lubrication, overload, bearing damage, or other problems. Regularly measuring the temperature of the bearing using an infrared thermometer or thermal imager can quickly identify abnormal temperature conditions. The temperature increase may cause the deterioration of the bearing lubricant, thermal expansion of the bearing material, or other structural problems. Temperature monitoring can not only help detect potential bearing failures in a timely manner, but also help adjust operating conditions to prevent more serious problems caused by overheating. Maintenance personnel should regularly record temperature data, analyze temperature change trends, and take necessary measures to deal with them.
Lubrication inspection
Lubrication status: Lubrication is a key factor in ensuring the smooth operation of spherical sealed spherical roller bearings. It is very important to check the status of the lubricant or grease regularly. The color and consistency of the lubricant need to be checked. If the lubricant changes color, becomes thicker or has impurities, it means that the lubricant may be contaminated or aged and needs to be replaced. It is also necessary to check the working condition of the lubrication system to ensure that the lubricant can be evenly distributed to all parts of the bearing. Insufficient lubrication or quality problems of the lubricant will cause increased wear, increased heat, and even bearing failure. By regularly checking and maintaining the lubrication system, bearing failures caused by lubrication problems can be effectively avoided to ensure the normal operation and long-term stability of the bearing.
Appearance inspection
Visual inspection: Regular appearance inspections can help identify obvious problems with the bearing. During the inspection, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the bearing and its surrounding components, including whether the seals are intact and whether there are cracks, corrosion or other abnormalities on the bearing surface. The integrity of the seal directly affects the protection ability of the bearing. If the seal is damaged, dirt and moisture may enter the bearing and cause internal damage. Check the bearing seat and related supporting structures for abnormal deformation or looseness, which may affect the normal operation of the bearing. Visual inspection can detect problems early and take corresponding measures to avoid further development of faults and potential damage to equipment. Regular appearance inspection is a basic maintenance step to ensure long-term and stable operation of bearings.
Bearing disassembly inspection
Detailed inspection: When a potential failure of a bearing is suspected, disassembly inspection is an indispensable step. After disassembly, inspect the internal components of the bearing in detail, including rollers, raceways, cages, etc. Check whether the rollers and raceways are worn, peeled, cracked, or embedded with foreign matter. These problems usually lead to deterioration of bearing performance or even failure of the bearing. A detailed inspection of the bearing can provide direct evidence of its service status, help determine the cause of the failure and develop a suitable repair plan. Disassembly inspection can also reveal potential installation problems or design defects, providing valuable information to optimize future maintenance and operation strategies. In order to ensure the accuracy of the disassembly inspection, it is necessary to use appropriate tools and methods and follow relevant safety operating procedures.
Precautions
Proper installation
Installation specifications: Proper installation is the basis for ensuring the normal operation of spherical sealed spherical roller bearings. During the installation process, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer's instructions and use special installation tools and equipment to avoid excessive impact or deformation of the bearings. During installation, the bearings and mating parts should be accurately aligned to avoid additional loads or vibrations caused by misalignment. Over-tight or over-loose installation will affect the performance and life of the bearings. Appropriate torque tools should be used for precise adjustment during the installation process. After installation, the operating status of the bearings should also be checked to ensure that they run smoothly without abnormal noise or vibration. Through a standardized installation process, failures caused by improper installation can be reduced and the reliability and service life of the equipment can be improved.
Regular lubrication
Lubrication maintenance: Regular lubrication is a key measure to ensure the long-term and stable operation of spherical sealed spherical roller bearings. According to the manufacturer's recommendations or equipment operating conditions, check and add lubricants regularly to ensure that the lubrication system inside the bearings is in good condition. Select the appropriate lubricant type and viscosity, and avoid using lubricants that do not meet the requirements. Clean the lubrication system regularly to prevent impurities or contaminants in the lubricant from damaging the bearings. During the lubrication process, it is also necessary to avoid over-lubrication or under-lubrication. Over-lubrication may cause lubricant leakage or accumulation, affecting bearing performance; while under-lubrication may cause increased friction and temperature. Through effective lubrication maintenance, friction and wear can be reduced, and the operating efficiency and service life of bearings can be improved.
Keep the environment clean
Environmental management: The working environment of the bearing has an important impact on its performance and life. Keeping the bearing and its surrounding environment clean can effectively reduce the impact of pollutants on the bearing. Regularly clean the bearing and its related components, especially equipment operating in high dust or humidity environments, to remove dust and dirt that may enter the bearing. Check the integrity of the seals to ensure that they can effectively block the intrusion of external pollutants. If the environment in which the bearing is located is very harsh, it may be necessary to use higher-grade seals or replace the seals regularly. By managing and improving the working environment, the service life of the bearing can be significantly extended and failures caused by environmental factors can be reduced.
Load control
Load management: The load control of the bearing is an important factor in ensuring its normal operation and extending its service life. Ensure that the spherical sealed spherical roller bearing operates within its designed load range and avoid overloading or frequent load fluctuations. Overloading will cause excessive wear inside the bearing and increase the risk of failure. Bearing damage caused by excessive loads can be reduced by properly designing and maintaining load conditions. Regularly monitor load conditions and adjust the operating conditions of the equipment to remain within safe ranges. Use load sensors or monitoring equipment to track load changes in real time, detect abnormal loads in time, and take corrective measures. Good load management can not only reduce bearing failures, but also improve the overall performance and stability of the equipment.
