How to Determine the Load of Slewing Bearings

Slewing Bearing Load and Its Classification

Slewing bearings are a common component in mechanical devices and are widely used in various industrial fields. As a key component that carries rotational motion, bearings bear loads in different directions. Therefore, determining the bearing capacity is crucial, which is also one of the keys to the long service life of bearings. This article will introduce the concept and classification of bearing loads, analyze in detail the effects of radial and axial loads on bearings, and explore how to determine the bearing capacity.

Bearing load refers to the force acting on the bearing, which can be divided into two types based on the direction of action: radial load and axial load. Radial load refers to the force acting on a bearing in the direction perpendicular to the axis, usually generated by factors such as equipment weight, inertial force, and eccentric force. Axial load refers to the force acting on the bearing along the axis, usually generated by thrust or torque.

In addition to radial and axial loads, bearings may also withstand special loads such as radial inertia loads, axial inertia loads, and radial eccentric loads. Among them, radial inertia load and axial inertia load are inertia forces caused by changes in equipment speed or acceleration, while radial eccentric load is a load generated by the deviation of the shaft center from the bearing centerline. These special loads have a relatively small impact on bearings and are generally not considered in the selection and design of bearings.

The Influence of Radial Load on Slewing Bearing

Radial load is one of the most common load types in slewing bearings, and its impact on bearings is quite important. Generally speaking, radial load acting on the center of the inner and outer rings of the bearing, perpendicular to the axis direction, will cause relative motion of the inner and outer rings of the bearing, resulting in rolling friction and sliding friction. These forces will cause deformation inside the bearing and also generate heat, leading to an increase in bearing temperature.

When the shaft is subjected to radial load, the rolling element inside the bearing is subjected to lateral force, causing the rolling element to deviate from the axial direction of the bearing, resulting in elastic deformation. This elastic deformation causes the contact area between the raceway and the ball to narrow, thereby increasing contact stress. If the radial load is too large, the contact stress will exceed the bearing material's bearing limit, leading to bearing damage.

The Effect of Axial Load on Slewing Bearings

Axial load is the force acting on a bearing along the axis, usually generated by thrust or torque. When the sliding shaft is subjected to axial load, it will cause the balls or rollers inside the bearing to bear axial pressure. If the axial load is too large, it will cause the ball or roller to move in the axial direction, causing the internal clearance of the bearing to increase, thereby reducing the bearing's load-bearing capacity and service life.

If the axial load on the sliding bearing is too large, the bearing may fail prematurely. Excessive axial load can also affect the lifespan and stability of bearings. Some bearings have a special structural design that can withstand large axial loads. For example, thrust ball bearings can withstand axial loads. Correctly calculating axial load can avoid bearing damage and premature failure.

How to determine the slewing bearing capacity

When determining the bearing capacity, various factors must be considered, such as bearing type, usage environment, load type, and so on.

It is to comprehensively evaluate the load and determine the appropriate safety factor. The safety factor refers to the ratio of the bearing capacity to the required load.

In general, the safety factor required for bearings bearing loads should be greater than 1. For example, if the rated load of a bearing is 10000 Newton and the actual required load is 5.000 Newton, the safety factor should be 2. This safety factor ensures that the bearing can operate safely at twice the rated load.

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