Bearings

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Bearings and Shafts

Topics: Bearing classification and selection; Shaft materials and stresses; Vibration; Critical speed; Fits and clearances

Learning Objectives:

• Name the two main categories of bearings and cite their advantages.
• Identify bearings by the kind of support they provide.
• Describe the three kinds of stresses acting on shafts.
• Explain natural frequency of vibration and critical speed.
• Name and describe three classes of fits.

Chapter 2: Operation of Journal Bearings

Topics: Features, types, and advantages; Lubrication; Lubricating grooves; Seals; Split bearings; Bearing design; selection

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the function of lubricating grooves.
• State two reasons for using seals on plain bearings.
• Name the principal types of plain journal bearings.
• Describe the structure of two kinds of precision inserts.
• Define crush and spread.

Chapter 3: Characteristics of Journal Bearings

Topics: Materials; Score resistance; Load capacity; Fatigue strength; Conformability; Embeddability; Corrosion and temperature resistance; Relining

Learning Objectives:

• Name and explain the characteristics that are most important in materials for bearings.
• State advantages and disadvantages of the standard types of bearing materials.
• Describe standard practices for inspecting bearings.
• Explain bearing repair procedures.

Chapter 4: Operation of Antifriction Bearings

Topics: Operating principles; Bearing and cage materials; Lubrication; Seals and shields; Tolerances; Fits; Standard and precision bearings; Running accuracy

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the functions of the various parts of a typical rolling-element bearing.
• Explain the three elements of the AFBMA code.
• Define the categories of tolerances for ball bearings.
• Describe the factors that influence running accuracy of bearings.

Chapter 5: Mounting Antifriction Bearings

Topics: Environment; Mounting; Radial and axial clearance; Fixed and floating bearings; Fits; Alignment; Mounting methods; Selection

Learning Objectives:

• Name the factors that must be considered in the design of antifriction bearings.
• Describe the process of checking adequate running clearances for bearings.
• Explain the reasons for using fixed and floating bearings together.
• Describe the common methods of mounting bearings.

Chapter 6: Ball and Roller Bearings

Topics: Ball and roller bearing design; Single-row radial, single- and double-row angular contact bearings; Two-piece, inner-ring bearings; Roller bearings

Learning Objectives:

• Name the three basic ball bearing designs and describe their characteristics.
• Explain the purposes served by the basic roller bearing shapes and their variations in typical applications.

Chapter 7: Special Bearings

Topics: Thrust, self-aligning, linear-motion, mounted, instrument, ungrounded ball, powdered-metal, nonmetallic, and hydrostatic bearings

Learning Objectives:

• Identify ten specialized bearings.
• Describe a specific function or application of each of these bearing types.

Chapter 8: Bearing Seals

Topics: Seal functions; Terminology and classifications; Labyrinth seals; Special seals; Selection and application; Seal materials; Mechanical seals

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the functions of bearing seals.
• Describe the construction and operation of labyrinth and oil seals.
• Explain the two classification systems for oil seals.
• Name typical applications for the different kinds of seals.

Chapter 9: Bearing Lubrication

Topics: Lubrication practices and equipment; Oil and grease lubrication; Packing; Manual, natural, and automatic lubrication devices and systems

Learning Objectives:

• State typical applications for oil lubrication of bearings.
• Detail the cleaning procedures for different oil lubrication systems.
• Discuss the three qualities that are the bases for selecting a grease lubricant.
• Give five easy rules for lubricating bearings.

Chapter 10: Bearing Maintenance

Topics: Maintenance, cleaning, and installation; Mounting and removing bearings; Loading patterns; Failure terminology

Learning Objectives:

• Identify a principal cause of early bearing failure.
• Describe installation procedures for antifriction and plain journal bearings.
• Name the different types of bearing failure and their causes.
• Tell how bearings should be cleaned and lubricated after inspection.

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