Online rolling bearing friction calculator
Precision bearing manufacturer Schaeffler (UK) Ltd have launched a new version of their rolling bearing calculation and simulation software, BEARINX, which now includes new functionality for calculating friction.
Used early in the design process, BEARINX-online Easy Friction helps users to identify and maximize the potential for energy-efficiency savings within a machine or system. For example, after using the software, the user may decide to specify rolling bearings with reduced friction characteristics or downsize the bearings and/or other related system components.
Available online and free-of-charge to users and customers, the new BEARINX-online Easy Friction software module allows users to calculate the energy efficiency of different rolling bearing designs in any application, taking into account the internal load distribution of the bearing and contact pressures on the raceways and ribs with the actual rolling element profiles.
The new software module utilizes a friction calculation theory based on physical algorithms confirmed by a series of comprehensive values from tests on rolling bearings. Bearing life is calculated according to ISO/TS 16281.
The software’s intuitive menu structure and navigational tools allow users to enter data quickly and easily for bearing modelling, bearing selection and operating conditions. The geometrical data of INA and FAG rolling bearings are uploaded automatically from an integral database.
The user enters the operating data, such as the loads on the shaft system, shaft speed, the internal clearance and axial preload of the rolling bearings. Lubrication and cleanliness details can also be specified.
In addition, users can exchange any saved files with Schaeffler’s ‘Engineering Service’ department in order to produce an optimum bearing design. Powerful computers at Schaeffler perform the actual bearing calculations and the most important results are displayed in a results window, with the input data and calculation results documented in a PDF file.
Until now, there were two main methods of calculating the friction of rolling bearings – the catalogue method or the use of special multi-body simulation (MBS) programmes. The catalogue method uses an empirical approach, which allows calculations to be performed quickly using low model accuracy, while MBS programmes offer very high model accuracy but require longer calculation times.
Schaeffler’s new method, which is based on physical bearing attributes, offers both fast calculation times and high model accuracy. The software considers a wide variety of influencing factors, such as actual stress distribution and the internal geometry of the bearing.
In addition to load distribution and rating life, the software also allows users to calculate the frictional torque of rolling bearings and, therefore, the power loss of entire shafts or power transmission systems. This means it is possible to select a bearing concept with optimized friction characteristics early in the product development phase.
The new friction calculation module also takes into account both rolling and sliding friction, in solid-body, mixed and fluid friction cases. Every single contact in the bearing is analysed, since stress, sliding speed, viscosity and temperature are not constant over the contact surface of a body. All frictional forces on the discreet points of the contact surface are then available in the calculation results.
For more information on Schaeffler’s new BEARINX-online Easy Friction calculation software, register at: http://BEARINX-online-easy-friction.schaeffler.com
