Guide to Periodic Maintenance of Ball Bearings: From Operation to Life Optimization

 1. Why must bearings be carefully maintained?

Roller bearings are micro-scale precision components, with geometric tolerances typically measured in μm (0.001mm). They must be treated as precision instruments during operation. Data shows that over 60% of bearing failures are not due to quality issues but are caused by human operational errors, which clearly demonstrates the importance of proper maintenance.

 2. Analysis of Fatal Hazard Factors

●  Foreign Particles Intrusion: Foreign objects entering the interior of the bearing will directly cause increased noise, rising friction resistance, and ball slippage. This not only shortens the lifespan to one-third of the normal usage period but also may lead to serious malfunctions such as equipment shutdown.

●  Pollution Damage Risk: Contamination on the shaft surface or bearing housing can result in non-parallel assembly surfaces and deviations in the ball's running path. This, in turn, causes abnormal friction, leading to high temperatures, accelerating the carbonization of the lubricating grease, and creating a vicious cycle of "pollution - overheating - failure".

 3. Three Key Points for Operational Protection

●  Personnel Protection: During operation, one must wear non-powdered gloves. When handling miniature bearings, wear a dust-free suit (including a head cover and shoe covers) to prevent contact with the bearings. Avoid contact with cosmetics or powder substances.

●  Environmental Control: The workbench must be kept clean. Eating, smoking are strictly prohibited. It is recommended to operate in an ISO 8 level clean environment to reduce contamination from dust and other impurities.

●  Tool Standards: Before using the tooling, it should be deburred and wiped with alcohol. When cleaning the bearing surface or casing, use a dust-free cloth or a dedicated cotton swab. Do not use ordinary rags.

 4. Storage and Retrieval Specifications

Bearings should be stored in their original packaging in a sealed manner. The humidity in the warehouse should be controlled below 45% RH, and the temperature should be maintained at 15-25℃ for a constant temperature. Retrieval should follow the principle of "use immediately after removal". Uninstalled bearings need to be promptly placed back in a moisture-proof cabinet with a dew point of ≤ -40℃ to avoid moisture-induced corrosion.

 5. Installation Prohibitions

●  Assembly Principle: During installation, ensure that the bearing is perpendicular to the shaft. When pressing the shaft, only apply force to the inner ring; when pressing the bearing housing, only apply force to the outer ring. It is strictly prohibited to transfer pressure through the balls to avoid damaging the raceways.

●  Impact Protection: It is absolutely forbidden to strike the bearing with a hammer. It is recommended to use a hydraulic press (accuracy ±0.01mm) or an electromagnetic heating method (temperature ≤120℃) for installation. Use shock-proof pallets during transportation to prevent drops (the drop height should be controlled within 0.5 meters).

6. Maintenance of Key Details

- Regular Inspection: Use professional instruments to measure vibration values every 500 hours (standard ≤ 1.5mm/s), and use infrared temperature gauges to monitor temperature rise (if the temperature increases by more than 5°C per hour, the machine must be shut down immediately).

- Lubrication Management: For high-speed rotating equipment (>10,000 rpm), replenish lithium-based lubricating grease every 200 hours, and for medium and low-speed equipment, replace the lubricating grease every 1,000 hours.

- Cleaning Standards: Use dedicated bearing cleaning agents with a flash point > 130°C. Avoid directly wiping the raceways with ordinary cloths to prevent fiber residue or surface scratches.

Key Reminder: The lifespan of bearings is largely determined by operational details. Following proper maintenance procedures can extend their lifespan by 3 to 5 times, significantly reducing the risk of equipment failure.