Ball and Roller Bearings - Design, Operation, and some Failure Analysis

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We’ll discuss ball, roller, and needle bearings, not plain or sleeve bearings.Earliest rolling element bearing concept was in ancient times, i.e., logs acting as rollers Modern steel bearings became practical in the late 1880’s with the ability to precisely control the element dimensions.Most bearings are through hardened and, in the industrial world, there are several standards for through hardened bearing steels. In North America, it’s AISI 52100.Some Timken tapered roller bearings and some special use bearings are case hardened with numerous alloy options.

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Have you understand more about:

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1. The general construction of ball and roller (rolling element) bearings.

2. How rolling element bearing lubrication works at different relative component speeds

3. The critical importance of correct shaft and housing dimensions

4. The contrast between the design failure mechanism and the most common failure mechanism.

We’ll go through some of the slides very rapidly. My intent 

with those is to give you a reference for future use.

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