Rolling Bearings

PRELOAD

10. PRELOAD
Rolling bearings usually retain some internal clearance while in operation. In some cases, however, it is desirable to provide a negative clearance to keep them internally stressed. This is called preloading . A preload is usually applied to bearings in which the clearance can be adjusted during mounting, such as angular contact ball bearings or tapered roller bearings. Usually, two bearings are mounted face-toface or back-to-back to form a duplex set with a preload. 10.2.2 Constant-Pressure Preload A constant pressure preload is achieved using a coil or leaf spring to impose a constant preload. Even if the relative position of the bearings changes during operation, the magnitude of the preload remains relatively constant (refer to Fig. 10.2) 10.3.2 Constant-Pressure Preload and Rigidity A preload diagram for duplex bearings under a constant-pressure preload is shown in Fig. 10.5. The deflection curve of the spring is nearly parallel to the horizontal axis because the rigidity of springs is lower than that of the bearing. As a result, the rigidity under a constant-pressure preload is approximately equal to that for a single bearing with a preload Fa 0 applied to it. Fig. 10.6 presents a comparison of the rigidity of a bearing with a position preload and one with a constant-pressure preload. In the case of a constant-pressure preload, it is possible to minimize any change in the preload because the variation of the spring load with shaft expansion and contraction is negligible. From the foregoing explanation, it is seen that position preloads are generally preferred for increasing rigidity and constant-pressure preloads are more suitable for high speed applications, for prevention of axial vibration, for use with thrust bearings on horizontal shafts, etc.

10.1 Purpose of Preload

The main purposes and some typical applications of preloaded bearings are as follows:

10.4 Selection of Preloading Method and Amount of Preload

Fig. 10.1 Position Preload

(1) To maintain the bearings in exact position both radially and axially and to maintain the running accuracy of the shaft. ...Main shafts of machine tools, precision instruments, etc. (2) To increase bearing rigidity ...Main shafts of machine tools, pinion shafts of final drive gears of automobiles, etc. (3) To minimize noise due to axial vibration and resonance ...Small electric motors, etc. (4) To prevent sliding between the rolling elements and raceways due to gyroscopic moments ...High speed or high acceleration applications of angular contact ball bearings, and thrust ball bearings (5) To maintain the rolling elements in their proper position with the bearing rings ...Thrust ball bearings and spherical thrust roller bearings mounted on a horizontal shaft

10.4.1 Comparison of Preloading Methods A comparison of the rigidity using both preloading methods is shown in Fig. 10.6. The position preload and constant-pressure preload may be compared as follows: (1) When both of the preloads are equal, the position preload provides greater bearing rigidity, in other words, the deflection due to external loads is less for bearings with a position preload. (2) In the case of a position preload, the preload varies depending on such factors as a difference in axial expansion due to a temperature difference between the shaft and housing, a difference in radial expansion due to a temperature difference between the inner and outer rings, deflection due to load, etc.
Axial Load

Bearing A

Fig. 10.2 Constant-Pressure Preload

Fa

10.3 Preload and Rigidity

10.3.1 Position Preload and Rigidity When the inner rings of the duplex bearings shown in Fig.10.3 are fixed axially, bearings A and B are displaced a0 and axial space 2 a 0 between the inner rings is eliminated. With this condition, a preload Fa0 is imposed on each bearing. A preload diagram showing bearing rigidity, that is the relation between load and displacement with a given axial load F a imposed on a duplex set, is shown in Fig. 10.4.

Fa0
Axial Displacement

a0 aA

Fig. 10.5 Axial Displacement with Constant-Pressure Preload

Axial Load Bearing B Bearing A

10.2 Preloading Methods

10.2.1 Position Preload A position preload is achieved by fixing two axially opposed bearings in such a way that a preload is imposed on them. Their position, once fixed, remain unchanged while in operation. In practice, the following three methods are generally used to obtain a position preload. (1) By installing a duplex bearing set with previously adjusted stand-out dimensions (see Page A7, Fig. 1.1) and axial clearance. (2) By using a spacer or shim of proper size to obtain the required spacing and preload. (Refer to Fig. 10.1) (3) By utilizing bolts or nuts to allow adjustment of the axial preload. In this case, the starting torque should be measured to verify the proper preload.

Bearing Bearing A B

Fa Fa0

Fa0
Fa0

Fa

FaA
Axial Load

FaB

a0

a0

Fig. 10.3 Back-to-Back Duplex Bearing Preload

aA a0 a0
Fa : Axial load applied from outside Fa A: Axial load imposed on Bearing A FaB: Axial load imposed on Bearing B

aB

Axial Displacement

a a

a : Displacement of duplex bearing set a A : Displacement of Bearing A : aB Displacement of Bearing B

Fig. 10.4 Axial Displacement with Position Preload

Fig. 10.6 Comparison of Rigidities and Preloading Methods

A 96

Bea rin Pos g with ition Prelo ad Bea ring Con w stan ith t Bea -Press ure ring Pre wit load hou tP relo ad

Fa

a
Axial Displacement

A 97

PRELOAD

10.4.2 Amount of Preload If the preload is larger than necessary, abnormal heart generation, increased frictional torque, reduced fatigue life, etc. may occur. The amount of the preload should be carefully determined considering the operating conditions and the purpose of the preload. (1) Preloading of Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings Average preloads for duplex angular contact ball bearings (contact angle of 15) with precision better than P5 class, which are used on the main shafts of machine tools, are listed in Table 10.2. The recommended fitting between the shaft and inner ring and between the housing and outer ring are listed in Table 10.1. In the case of fits with housings, the lower limit of the fitting range should be selected for fixed-end bearings and the upper limit for free-end bearings. As a general rule, an extra light or light preload should be selected for grinding spindles and the main shafts of machining centers, while a medium preload should be adopted for the main shafts of lathes requiring rigidity. When speeds result in a value of Dpw n (dmn value) higher than 500000, the preload should be very carefully studied and selected. In such a case, please consult with NSK beforehand.
Table 10. 2. 1 Duplex Bearings of Series 79 Units : N Preloads Bearing No. 7900 C 7901 C 7902 C 7903 C 7904 C 7905 C 7906 C 7907 C 7908 C 7909 C 7910 C 7911 C 7912 C 7913 C 7914 C 7915 C 7916 C 7917 C 7918 C 7919 C 7920 C Extra light Preload EL 7 8.6 12 12 19 19 24 34 39 50 50 60 60 75 100 100 100 145 145 145 195 Light Preload L 15 15 25 25 39 39 49 69 78 100 100 120 120 150 200 200 200 290 290 290 390 Medium Preload M 29 39 49 59 78 100 100 150 200 200 250 290 290 340 490 490 490 640 740 780 880 Heavy Preload H 59 78 100 120 150 200 200 290 390 390 490 590 590 690 980 980 980 1 270 1 470 1 570 1 770 Bearing No. 7000 C 7001 C 7002 C 7003 C 7004 C 7005 C 7006 C 7007 C 7008 C 7009 C 7010 C 7011 C 7012 C 7013 C 7014 C 7015 C 7016 C 7017 C 7018 C 7019 C 7020 C Extra light Preload EL 12 12 14 14 24 29 39 60 60 75 75 100 100 125 145 145 195 195 245 270 270 Light Preload L 25 25 29 29 49 59 78 120 120 150 150 200 200 250 290 290 390 390 490 540 540

(2) Preload of Thrust Ball Bearings

Table 10. 1 Recommended Fitting for High Accuracy Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings with Preload
Units : m Nominal Bore Dia. d (mm) over 18 30 50 80 120 150 180 incl 18 30 50 80 120 150 180 250 0 to 2.5 0 to 2.5 0 to 2.5 0 to 3.5 0 to 4.5 Target Shaft Interference Nominal Outside Dia. D (mm) over 18 30 50 80 120 150 180 incl 18 30 50 80 120 150 180 250 Target Housing Clearance 2 to 6 2 to 6 3 to 8 3 to 9 4 to 12 4 to 12 5 to 15

(3) Preload of Spherical Thrust Roller Bearings When spherical thrust roller bearings are used, damage such as scoring may occur due to sliding between the rollers and outer ring raceway. The minimum axial load Fa min necessary to prevent such sliding is obtained from the following equation: Fa min = C 0a 1000 ................................ (10.3)

When the balls in thrust ball bearings rotate at relatively high speeds, sliding due to gyroscopic moments on the balls may occur. The larger of the two values obtained from Equations(10.1) and (10.2) below should be adopted as the minimum axial load in order to prevent such sliding Fa min = Fa min = where C 0a 100

( Nn ) max

........................ (10.1)

C 0a 1000

................................ (10.2)

Fa min : Minimum axial load (N), {kgf} n : Speed (min1) C 0 a : Basic static load rating (N), {kgf} Nmax : Limiting speed (oil lubrication) (min1)

Table 10. 2 Preloads for Duplex

Table 10. 2. 2 Duplex

Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Bearings of Series 70 Units : N Preloads Medium Preload M 49 59 69 69 120 150 200 250 290 340 390 490 540 540 740 780 930 980 1 180 1 180 1 270 Heavy Preload H 100 120 150 150 250 290 390 490 590 690 780 980 1 080 1 080 1 470 1 570 1 860 1 960 2 350 2 350 2 550 Bearing No. 7200 C 7201 C 7202 C 7203 C 7204 C 7205 C 7206 C 7207 C 7208 C 7209 C 7210 C 7211 C 7212 C 7213 C 7214 C 7215 C 7216 C 7217 C 7218 C 7219 C 7220 C Extra light Preload EL 14 19 19 24 34 39 60 75 100 125 125 145 195 220 245 270 295 345 390 440 490 Light Preload L 29 39 39 49 69 78 120 150 200 250 250 290 390 440 490 540 590 690 780 880 980 Preloads Medium Preload M 69 100 100 150 200 200 290 390 490 540 590 780 930 1 080 1 180 1 230 1 370 1 670 1 860 2 060 2 350 Heavy Preload H 150 200 200 290 390 390 590 780 980 1 080 1 180 1 570 1 860 2 160 2 350 2 450 2 750 3 330 3 730 4 120 4 710 Table 10. 2. 3 Duplex Bearings of Series 72 Units : N

A 98

A 99