BEARING CENTER & Machinery, Inc.

Schaeffler Group Industrial has developed an efficient bearing concept for rotary axes. Based on the new “ball roller”, the special advantages of this solution lie in a significantly simplified adjacent structure and excellent transferability of bearing running accuracy to the rotary axis module, which is achieved thanks to a preloaded compact bearing support with single-piece bearing rings. The kinematic characteristics of the ball roller bearing also enable high limiting speeds while offering low friction and demand-oriented rigidity.

Ball roller offers numerous advantages

The innovation is based on a double-row angular contact thrust ball roller bearing in O-arrangement with novel rolling elements. All areas of the conventional rolling element “ball” that are not under load are removed, which means that 15 percent of the ball diameter is cut off on both sides of the ball. The result is the so-called ball roller, being 30 percent narrower and correspondingly lighter than a true ball. A bearing equipped with ball rollers has the same functionality and accuracy as a ball bearing. Various applications, e.g. in automotive and precision engineering, already benefit from the advantages offered by ball rollers, which include less space requirement, less weight, larger grease reservoir and higher load ratings.

Simpler, longer-lived and more cost-effective

In machine tool applications these characteristics offer advantages that increase the efficiency of the overall system:

• The simplified adjacent structure results in reduced manufacturing costs: Due to the axial displacement of the bearing rings relative to each other, the bearing can be simply bolted to planed surfaces. Moreover, high-precision bearing seatings that support the bearing along the entire height are not required thanks to the rigid bearing design.
• Mounting becomes simpler and faster: The single-piece bearing rings ensure improved transfer of the bearing’s running accuracy to the machine assembly. Moreover, a rolling bearing transportation safety device needed to hold split bearing rings together is not required. Mounting errors are thus avoided.
• An increase in service life is achieved: The larger grease reservoir permits e.g. extended relubrication intervals and even maintenance-free operation in some applications. This is also supported by sealing gap systems on both sides that reliably retain the lubricant inside the bearing even at high speeds.

Pilot applications as from 2010

The double-row angular contact thrust ball roller bearing has already proved its functionality in the scope of the development project. Starting with bore diameter size 325 mm, the speed strength during continuous operation as well as the bearing behavior under load were tested under realistic operation cycles. Under all conditions, the tests of the prototypes were so positive that the extensive validation process will be continued with optimized and near-series prototypes. First pilot applications are scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2010. Potential initial users are still being sought.

50 per cent less noise and 35 per cent less friction – with Generation C FAG is setting a new standard for deep groove ball bearings. One of the main reasons for the significant improved performance are the optimized osculation of the rolling elements on the rings, high ball quality and improved raceway surfaces. For example, the alterations include the more efficient HRS sealing as well as the riveted steel cage. In total, these design changes enable applications to operate much more quietly, increased efficiency and higher speeds. The operating life increases while at the same time the energy consumption is significantly reduced.

CANTON, Ohio: June 17, 2009 —The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR) is supplying tapered roller bearings for longwall shearer loaders used in underground coal mines in Poland. The loaders are produced by FAMUR Group of Poland, the largest mining machinery manufacturer in Eastern Europe.

Timken® tapered roller bearings installed in the cutter head transmission of the shearer demonstrated superior performance during field tests, proving their ability to withstand the high axial loads of the application, thus extending the service life of the equipment.

Toyota has granted its “Achievement Award” in the “Supply” category to Schaeffler. With this distinction the Japanese automobile manufacturer acknowledges the quality of the products and services supplied by the Schaeffler Group. Schaeffler is one of only four suppliers to have received the “Achievement Award” in recognition of their supply performance at Toyota’s “Annual Business Meeting 2009” in Brussels.

“It is a fantastic success indeed to win this recognition from a company that is well-known for being a particularly discerning customer,” says Dr. Peter Pleus, President Schaeffler Engine Systems Division.

A hydraulic support element, developed by Schaeffler for the engine valve train, was displayed as a technical example in the background of the award ceremony. Ensuring automatic valve lash adjustment, this component is used in Toyota’s new ZR engine. This four-cylinder gasoline engine comes with 1.6 and 1.8 liter cubic capacity and is, for instance, installed in the Auris and Avensis models.

Compared with the previous ZZ generation, ZR engines feature up to six percent reduced fuel consumption. This is achieved thanks to variable valve control as well as optimized friction within the engine.