Machinery Bearings: Technology and Identification

Teacher

Tom

Course Number: MBT-101

Course Description

Both the plain journal bearing and various anti-friction bearings are discussed in detail with heavy emphasis on the anti-friction type. The attendee is trained to be able to identify any bearing from any machine that might be missing numbering or coding. Discussion will include series numbering for Extra Light, Light Duty, Regular Duty and Heavy Duty application as well as handling of unmounted and mounted bearings. Ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, thrust bearings, needle bearings and Conrad bearings will be presented as well as the best applications for each. SKF’s Bearing Technology Guide Book and SKF’s Motor Bearing Book will be used as classroom texts for this course, thereby bringing the most modern sources of bearing information to the attendee. Pillow block bearings and flange mounted bearings will be studied as well as their correct applications on real machinery. The users choice of open, shielded and sealed bearings are examined for proper life expectancy. Bearing cross referencing is used to select similar bearings from different vendors or manufacturing firms.

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:
25% hands-on activities

Free Materials included:
6” Bearing ID Scale ($11 value), SKF Manual – Selected Pages, SKF Motor Bearing Manual ($20 value)

Course Syllabus

Types of Bearings

Plain bearings
- Metal — bronze, brass, oilite
- Plastic — nylon, polypropylene, TFE, exotic
- Wood
- Babbitt — poured and bored
- Clearances
Anti-friction bearings
- Ball bearings
- Roller bearings
- Spherical bearings
- Flange mounted
- Pillow block mounted
- Special bearings: ceramic bearings, split bearings, pillow block bearings

Bearing Series Numbers

Series numbers – Basic numbers
Internal clearance numbers
How to ID an unknown bearing
Class exercise using a scale

Open Bearings

Characteristics of open bearings
How to order an open bearing

Shielding Bearings

Characteristics of a shielded bearing. Captain America’s SHIELD
How to order a shielded bearing
When to use a single shield
When to use a double shield

Sealed Bearings

Characteristics of a sealed bearing. “Arf arf” like a seal
How to order a sealed bearing
Why a sealed bearing is used
When to consider replacement of a re-greasable bearing with a sealed bearing.

Unmounted Bearings

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.
Split pillow block mounting
New technology mounted bearings—special cases for special problems

Bearing Lubrication

Oil lubrication methods vs. Grease lubrication
Selecting the right lubricant
Calculating amount of grease
Calculating re-greasing interval
Using the right type of grease

Motor Bearings

Horizonal vs. vertical mounting
Special lubrication requirement for an electrical motor
Proper lubrication procedures
Use of special fittings to simplify greasing or over-pressuring the lubrication cavity.
Choosing the correct lubricant