Research of the influence of the 2D and 3D surface roughness parameters of bearing raceways on the vibration level

The level of generated vibrations is one of the most important exploitation parameters of rolling bearings. The vibration analysis allows for the evaluation of the technical condition of new and operating bearing assemblies. There are numerous factors affecting the level of generated vibrations. The condition of topography of active surfaces of rolling bearings is one of them. The state of the surface texture may be described with the use of 2D and 3D roughness parameters. Since there are no unanimous guidelines, the paper's authors decided to analyse whether, when evaluating topography of the active surface of rolling bearings it is beneficial to measure 3D roughness parameters, or whether the evaluation of 2D roughness parameters fully suffices. Fifth pieces of type 6304 ball bearings were examined. The measurement of selected 2D and 3D roughness parameters of the bearings races was performed using a contact method on a Form Talysurf PGI 1230 device made by Taylor Hobson. The measurement of vibrations generated by the bearings was performed with an Anderometer, a device developed by the employees of the Kielce University of Technology. Statistical analysis based on the correlation calculation was used to evaluate the impact of 2D and 3D roughness parameters of active surfaces of rolling bearings on the level of generated vibrations.