Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG · Germany
SERVICE
Calculating the load distribution of a needle roller bearing with Bearinx®: Even the contact pressure on every single rolling element is considered in the calculation.
The new Bearinx® Easy Friction module is available online and free of charge. This means the maximum potential efficiency of a system can be identified, even early on in the design phase.
The X-life machined needle roller bearing with the Twin Cage: This new combination of cage and rolling elements achieves a significantly lower frictional torque .
Up to 35 percent less friction – the Schaeffler Group is setting the new standard for deep groove ball bearings with the new FAG Generation C deep groove ball bearing.
X-life tapered roller bearings: Optimization of the geometry, surfaces, materials and dimensional and running accuracy reduces the frictional torque by up to 75 percent compared to conventional products.
The improved contact between the end face and rib reduces the friction and significantly increases the axial load carrying capacity of cylindrical roller bearings.
The new FAG high-tech Cronitect hybrid rolling bearing: Increased load carrying capacity, smooth running and reliability.
CONTACT
Martin Adelhardt
Head of Communication
Schaeffler Group Industrial
Schaeffler GmbH
Georg-Schäfer-Straße 30
97421 Schweinfurt
Gemany
Tel. +49 9721 91-3400
Fax +49 9721 91-3375
2011-09-22 | 000-003-130 DE-EN
SCHAEFFLER GMBH, BARCELONA/HERZOGENAURACH
Innovative rolling bearings as the key to greater energy efficiency
Schaeffler Group Industrial’s efficient rolling bearings with optimized friction from the INA and FAG brands are a key component for the entire industry. Rolling bearings make an important contribution to saving energy and conserving resources and, at the same time, increase the performance and competitiveness of machines and plants. The Schaeffler Group’s range of energy-efficient solutions not only covers the design and production of rolling bearings with optimized friction, but also includes the development and use of simulation and calculation tools and the analysis and an understanding of the entire system with its bearing supports.
Calculating friction with Bearinx®
The Schaeffler Group has developed an analytical model for calculating rolling bearing friction and integrated it in its rolling bearing calculation program Bearinx® that has been renowned for many years. The new Bearinx® Easy Friction module is available online and free of charge to all interested users. This means the highest-possible potential for savings in the system can be identified, even early on in the design phase. This program is a prerequisite for using bearings with reduced friction characteristics in an optimal manner, or for increasing the energy efficiency of applications even further by means of downsizing. This procedure takes the internal load distribution with the contact pressures on the raceways and ribs with the actual rolling element profiles into consideration. The new module is based on a friction calculation theory that is based on physical algorithms that have been confirmed by a series of comprehensive values from tests. Furthermore, bearing life is also calculated according to ISO/TS 16281.
Efficient rolling bearings: Needle roller, ball, tapered roller and cylindrical roller bearings
The new machined needle roller bearing with the TWin Cage made of plastic provides higher efficiency as a result of lower friction. In this bearing, two short needle rollers can be inserted next to each other in one cage pocket instead of the otherwise usual single long needle roller. This completely new combination of cage and rolling elements achieves a significantly lower frictional torque in comparison with conventional needle roller bearings.
All geometric parameters of inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements have been revised for the new FAG Generation C deep groove ball bearings. The optimized osculation of the rolling elements on the rings has made it possible to reduce the friction by up to 35 percent compared with the previous generation. The operating life and performance increase significantly with considerably reduced energy consumption.
The optimization of the rib contact in the tapered roller bearing is particularly significant: The frictional torque of conventional tapered roller bearings increases dramatically with increasing axial loads in particular. The Schaeffler Group has therefore revised the geometry, surfaces, materials and dimensional and running accuracy of its new X-life tapered roller bearings. By using these measures in combination with the optimized contact geometry of the inner ring rib and roller end face, the frictional torque is reduced by up to 75 percent compared with conventional products.
In addition to high radial loads, cylindrical roller bearings can also support axial loads if they are used as semi-locating or locating bearings. Axial loads are transmitted via the rolling element end faces and ribs. Using new calculation methods and changed manufacturing processes, the Schaeffler Group’s engineers optimized the contour of the roller end faces and the contact conditions between the end face and rib, and thus significantly increased the axial load carrying capacity. The more rapid formation of a lubricating film and the lower contact pressure reduce the frictional torque under axial loads by up to 50 percent. This increases efficiency considerably.
Hybrid bearings: Smooth running due to Cronitect® steel and ceramic
The use of innovative materials can also significantly reduce the frictional torque of rolling bearings. In the low-friction and maintenance-free FAG Cronitect® hybrid bearings, high-performance ceramic balls rotate in high-tech plastic bearing cages on hard, wear-resistant raceways. Cronitect® is a special steel developed by the Schaeffler Group, which is characterized by its extremely high load carrying capability and high anti-corrosion protection. In combination with ceramic rolling elements, this produces a bearing with excellent smooth running characteristics due to minimum friction and weight. The materials used are extremely resistant to corrosion and are practically maintenance-free. As bearings for inline skates or the bottom brackets and hubs of racing bicycles, Cronitect® hybrid bearings have been providing excitement and resulting in personal best times for a long time. At ITMA, Schaeffler is showing a wheel with Cronitect® hybrid hub bearing supports, as used in racing bicycle components from the Italian cult brand Campagnolo.
