Course Number: AFB-102
Course Description
Investigation into the types of bearings encountered in industry: mounted, unmounted as well as the use of ball, needle, and roller bearings. Hands-on activities involve bearing identification, choice and installation as well as bearing disassembly for failure inspection. Learn how to use bearing fit tables, how to reduce clearance in a split pillow block bearing, and the feeler gauge technique for bearing alignment. Vibration measurement to determine a failing bearing and proper bearing lubrication procedures are part of the “hands-on” components of the course.
Course formats:
MTI Training Center | On-Site
Additional Course Details
Each student will receive class books, work activity sheets, self-test progress evaluations, as well as questions from the instructor to make sure they understand the material presented. It is expected that an attendee will leave the class with the basic knowledge of the subject and possess new found skills to better equip them when they return to their job. A certificate suitable for framing will be issued to each attendee who successfully completes the course.
Hands-on activities:
40% hands-on activities
Free Materials included:
0-1” Micrometers ($54 value), 6” Bearing ID Scale ($11 value), Audel’s Mini-Ref ($30 value)
Types of Bearings and How They Are Made
- Purpose of a bearing
- Plain bearings and where they are used
- Construction
- Metal — bronze, brass, oilite
- Plastic — nylon, polypropylene, TFE, exotic
- Babbitt — poured and bored
- Antifriction bearings and where they are used
- Ball bearings
- Roller bearings
- Spherical bearings
- Special bearings: ceramic bearings, split bearings, pillow block bearings
Bearing Life Equation
- Palmgren’s fatigue equation
- Proper lubrication and installation
- The effect of force on bearing life
Bearing Numbering Systems
- Series numbers – Basic numbers
- Internal clearance numbers
- How to ID an unknown bearing
Bearing Classes of Fit
- The correct fit for your application
- Fitting bearing for pumps, blowers, and motors (common machinery)
Measurement of Bearings, Shafts and Housings Against Specs
- Measurement using vernier micrometers and transferring measurement using telescope gauges
- Use of fitting tables
- Checking bores and shaft journals for bearing fit
Unmounted Bearings
- Preparing the bearing for inspection
- Mechanical mounting and thermal mounting of bearings (what defines the method)
- Tools for mechanical mounting and tools for thermal mounting
- Removing a bearing when normal methods can be used
- Damaged bearing removal—burning with a torch vs. small cutting wheel
Mounted Bearings
- Pillow block bearings
- Using the eccentric lock and the set screw
- Split pillow block bearings — simple do’s and don’t’s
- Using the feeler gauge to reduce internal clearance.
- New technology mounted bearings—special cases for special problems
Bearing Lubrication
- Oil lubrication methods vs. Grease lubrication
- Selecting the right lubricant
- Terminology & Properties
- Test procedures
- Flash and fire points
- Bearing operating environment
- Method to apply fluid lubricants
- Calculating amount of grease
- Calculating re-greasing interval
Catching a Failing Bearing
- Beaching or breakfast cereal?
- “From the 1st Spall until That’s All”
- Acoustical emission
- SEg, Shock Pulse, BDU
- Thermal methods
Pictures of past groups:
All unmasked photos taken before COVID
Course Features
- Lectures 0
- Quizzes 0
- Duration - 2 days (8 hr/day)
- Skill level - All
- Language English
- Students 12
- Assessments Yes
