7.

4 Mounting of Bearings
Besides specifying the type and number of bearings, we have to
consider how to mount the pair of bearings, including
Axial position;
Fit between bearings and other components;
Clearance adjustment;
Sealing and lubrication.
1. types of shafting
(1) Fixed at both ends
For 60000 type, 70000 type
and 30000 type bearing;
Both ends are fixed;
Axial clearance 0.25-0.4mm;
Slight thermal expansion.

(2) One end fixed in two ways, the other end free
Retainer
for shaft

For shafts with great length or high thermal expansion;

(3) Both ends free

For the shaft at high speed:

both ends are free.

For the high speed

shaft with double helical
gear drives;
To offset the machining
error.

For the shaft at low speed:

both ends are fixed.

2. Types of bearing axially positioning

(1) Between inner race and shaft

Shoulder;
Retainer for shaft;
Shaft end ring +Bolts;
Round nut + Locking washer;
Tapered adaptive sleeve + Round nut + Locking washer.

(2) Between outer race and hole

Cover

Retainer for hole;

Cover;
Shoulder in hole;
Retaining collar.

Retainer
for hole
Shoulder
in hole

Cover

Retaining
collar

 Bearing bushing

3. Fit of bearings

Proper radial clearance can be achieved by adjusting the fit

between bearing and shaft, bearing and housing.
Radial clearance effects the accuracy and life of rolling
contact bearing.
Rolling contact bearings are standard components. The fit
between the inner race and shaft adopts basic hole system.
The fit between the outer race and hole adopts basic shaft
system.
The load pattern, direction and magnitude, bearing types,
rotational speed and working conditions decide the bearing fit.

Commonly, for the rotational race, a light interference fit can

be chosen, for example k5 or k6. For the stationary race, a light
clearance fitting can be chosen, for example H7 or G7.
Generally, under big size, great loading, serious vibration,
high rotational speed or high temperature, interference fit could
be appropriate. Under frequent disassembling or free bushing,
clearance fit could be appropriate.
Tolerance of shaft dia.

Tolerance of bore size of bearing

Tolerance of hole dia.

Tolerance of outer race

dia. of bearing

4. Adjustment of bearings
(1) Adjustment of radial clearance

Adjusting the thickness of gasket.

Adjustable cover

Adjustable cover for clearance adjustment

(2) Pre-tightening of bearing

By some pre-tightening methods, there exists slight
deformation among rolling elements, inner race and outer race.
If pre-tightened, the bearings have higher accuracy, higher
stiffness, and longer life.
Adding metal gasket, reducing the width of inner race or
outer race, adjusting the length of bushing.
Round nuts are widely used for the convenience to adjust.

(3) Adjustment of bearing combination

To locate the position of components on the shaft, such as
gear, sheave.
For bevel gear drive, the vertexes need to be coincided.
For worm gear drive, the principle plane of worm gear must
pass through the worm axis.
Gasket for adjusting the bearing clearance

Gasket for adjusting the axial position of shaft

5. Installation of bearings

Assembling a bearing

Commonly, the installation force should be applied directly

to the inner race of the bearing.
For large bearings, it may be necessary to heat it to expand its
diameter in order to keep the installation force within reason.

Pressure

Handle

Press
Disassembling a bearing

Bolt
Nut

Shaft
Claw

Bearing puller

The height of shoulder must be not

above

height of inner race.

7.5 Practical Considerations in the Application of Bearings

1. Lubrication
To provide a low-friction film between the rolling elements
and the races of bearing and at points of contact with cages,
guiding surfaces, retainers and so on.
To protect the bearing components from corrosion.
To help dissipate heat from bearing unit.
To carry heat away from the bearing unit.
To help dispel contaminants and moisture from the bearing.

Rolling contact bearings are usually lubricated with either

grease or oil.
Grease: Under normal ambient temperature (approximately
21) and relative slow speeds (under 52.3 rad/s).
Oil: At higher speeds or higher ambient temperatures, applied
in a continuous flow, possibly with external cooling of the oil.

Table 7-12 Lubrication recommendation for rolling contact bearings

Bearing
Type

Speed Factor dn/ (mm. r. min-1)

Oil
gumming

Oil
dropping

Oil
injecting

Oil
spray

2.5105

4.0105

6.0105

>6.0105

grease

Deep groove
ball bearing
Angular
contact ball
bearing
Cylindrical
roller
bearing

(2-3)105

Tapered
roller
bearing

1.6105

2.3105

3.0105

--

Thrust
bearing

0.6105

1.2105

1.5105

--

2. Sealing
To operate in dirty or moist environments;
Seals or shields can be provided on either or both sides of the
rolling elements;
Shields are typically metal and are fixed to the stationary race,
but remain clear of the rotating race;
Seals are made of elastomeric materials and do contact the
rotating race;
Permanently lubricated: Bearings fitted with both seals and
shields, and pre-charged at the factory with grease.

 The presence of seals also increases the friction in a bearing;

Sealing can be provided outside the bearing in the housing or
at the shaft/housing interface;
On high-speed shafts, a labyrinth seal is frequently used,
consisting of a non-contacting ring around the shaft with a
few thousandths of an inch radial clearance.
Contact type

Non-contact type

Combined type

Contact type
Felt ring seal:
<5m/s;
Only for grease.

Sealing ring seal:

<12m/s

Non-contact style

Oil groove sealing

Shield sealing

Non-contact style
Labyrinth

Combined style

3. Bearing Stiffness
Stiffness is the deflection that a given bearing undergoes
when carrying a given load.
Commonly, the radial stiffness is most important.
Generally, the softer the bearing (low stiffness), the lower the
critical speed of the shaft assembly.
Stiffness is measured in the units used for springs, such as
Newton per meter.
The stiffness values are quite high, with values of 87.56103
to 175.12103 N/m.
For a precise device, the stiffness of bearings need to be
considered.

4. Shaft assembly design

Homework-20
There are several design errors in the picture below. Try to mark
out the errors and finish the correct design in the upper half.

Cabinet for closed gear drive