How to Choose the Right Slewing Gear Bearing

Whether you are replacing a broken slewing gear bearing or adding a new one to your machinery, you need to know how to make the right decision. In this article, you will learn about the different types of slewing gear bearings and how to determine the right fit for your application. You will also learn about the maintenance of slewing gear bearings, and how to maintain them in order to minimize downtime and prolong their life.

Axial load vs tensile load

Generally, slewing gear bearings are used to transmit loads that are parallel to the axis of rotation. However, they also accommodate moment and radial loads. These factors must be considered to ensure optimal performance.

Slewing rings are comprised of a system of rollers and raceways. These structures can be installed horizontally or vertically. To determine the capacity of the ring, you must compare its working and operating stresses. The standard slewing ring capacity curve is derived from limit curves for gear type 770.

When calculating the capacity of a slewing ring, you must consider the load and the service factor. These factors will influence the selection of the proper bearing style. For example, if the ring is being used for a high load application, it will have to be rated for higher free state torque.

Axial load (or thrust load) is a force that is parallel to the shaft axis. It creates a balanced distribution of forces. These loads are applied in a uniform way to the rolling elements of the bearing.

Radial load

Typical slewing gear bearings are made of an inner ring and an outer ring. The inner ring moves in a rotational way while the outer ring stays attached to the mounting surface.

Usually, slewing rings are designed to transmit radial loads and moment loads. They are commonly used in lifts and rotary devices. They are also used in a number of other applications, such as factory automation. In order to select the correct slewing bearing for your application, you must take into account design requirements.

There are many different slewing ring designs in practice. For instance, they may incorporate a gear, include tapped holes, or have hardened raceways. These features are important in calculating the static carrying capacity of a slewing ring. However, the calculation is dependent on the plastic deformations of the contact zone.

The first stage of the method is to estimate the axial and radial displacements of a movable bearing ring. This is done by approximating the measured values for a given external load. In order to determine the most loaded contact zone rolling element, the axial and radial displacements are multiplied by the applicable service factor.

Tilting moment loads

Generally, a slewing bearing is a large bearing that is capable of carrying a significant load. It is designed to handle radial and tilting moment loads. Compared to ordinary rolling bearings, slewing bearings are characterized by their high load carrying capacity, exceptional moment, and thrust. They are also extremely cost effective and provide an ideal solution for a variety of applications.

To determine the static carrying capacity of a slewing bearing, the first stage involves analyzing the interaction between the rolling element and the raceway. Then, the second stage includes axial clearance, preload forces of the screws, and other operating conditions of the bearing.

The axial load is measured and multiplied by the load factor, fL. The resulting value of fT is then calculated. fT is a value between two and five. The highest value of fT should be used when the bearing is near its maximum wear limit.

Maintenance of slewing gear bearings

Performing maintenance on slewing gear bearings is vital to maintaining its performance and extending its service life. This is especially important for large bearings. They have a complex load spectrum and are especially susceptible to premature failure.

The most common cause of premature bearing failures is inadequate lubrication. Insufficient lubrication can result in surface damage, fine cracks, and flaking. This can make it more difficult for the bearing to operate and increase wear. Adding grease to the raceway can also help reduce friction and wear between rolling elements.

After installing slewing gear bearings, the bearing should be filled with lubricant according to the drawing. However, even after faithfully maintaining the bearing, the grease will degrade over time. To keep the bearing lubricated, it is best to fill it every 50 to 100 hours.

The bolts and mounting surfaces of slewing gear bearings should be machined for optimum strength. These surfaces should also be smooth without burrs.