Vibration simulation of a ball bearing with the combined imperfections and velocity fluctuations

For angular contact ball bearings (ACBBs), the unacceptable vibrations caused by the manufacturing errors including the roundness and waviness imperfections can greatly reduce their performances and service life. A clear vibration analysis of ACBBs excited by the manufacturing errors can provide some new guidance for their quality diagnosis and life improvement. A dynamic model considering the time-dependent excitations generated by the combined imperfections including the roundness and waviness in an ACBB is conducted. The influence of the cage speed fluctuation is also formulated. Note that the vibrational frequency components (FCs) excited by the combined imperfections on the outer and inner raceways of ACBB are distinguished from each other. When the waviness order is the integer multiple of the number of balls, the vibration of inner raceway is greater than those of other cases. When the axial force reaches the minimum value, the ball will reach its theoretical revolution speed; and the sliding motion between the ball and raceway should be suppressed basically.

Automated summary

Manufacturing errors can significantly impact the performance and service life of angular contact ball bearings (ACBBs). Vibration analysis of ACBBs provides guidance for quality diagnosis and improvement. The study finds that the vibrations caused by roundness and waviness differ between the inner and outer raceways of ACBBs, and the vibration on the inner raceway is greatest when the waviness order is a multiple of the number of balls.