1.

Fits and Tolerances

In the ISO system there are 27 positions provided for 18 grades of tolerances on both shaft and
holes. The most precise fits and tolerances are those specified for bearings and bearing
housing.
The fits and tolerances depend on the type of bearing, whether the inner or outer ring is
stationary or rotating and on the type of loading.

Type of Load

Bearing Type

Shaft Diameter

Axial Displaceability / Load

Fit

Point Load on

Ball, Roller, and

All Sizes

g6 (g5)

Inner Ring

Needle Roller

Floating Bearings with Sliding

Inner Ring
Anngular Contact Ball Bearings
and Tapered
Roller Bearings with Adjusted
Inner Ring

Bearings
Circumferential
Load on Inner
Ring or Indeterminate Load

Ball Bearings

up to 40 mm
up to 100 mm
up to 200 mm
over 200 mm

Roller and
Needle Roller
Bearings

up to 60 mm
up to 200 mm

up to 500 mm
over 500 mm

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Normal Load
Low Load
Normal and High Load
Low Load
Normal and High Load
Normal Load
High Load, Shocks
Low Load
Normal and High Load
Low Load
Normal Load
High Load
Normal Load
High Load, Shocks
Normal Load
High Load

h6 (j6)

j6 (j5)
j6 (j5)
k6 (k5)
k6 (k5
m6 (m5)
m6 (m5)
n6 (n5)
j6 (j5)
k6 (k5)
k6 (k5)
m6 (m5)
n6 (n5)
m6 (m5)
p6
n6 (p6)
p6

Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.10 Bearing Mounting and Dismounting

1.10.1 Work Planning
Study shop drawing and plan individual operations

1.10.2 The right bearing

Compare inscription on package with data on drawing

1.10.3 Checking of Surrounding parts

All surrounding parts should be carefully checked for dimensional and form accuracy prior to
assembly. Non-observance of the tolerances for shaft and housing seat diameters, out-of-roundness
of these parts, out-of-square of abutment shoulders etc. impair bearing performance and may lead to
premature failure.

1.10.4 Inspection of Bearing Seats

Normally, the diameter is measured in
two different cross sections and several
planes.Many tools are used in measuring
inside and outside diameters.

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.10.5 Mounting and dismounting tools

For mounting and dismounting of small and medium sized bearings with cylindrical and tapered
bore.

Double Hook Wrench

Nut and Hook Wrench

Hammer and Mounting

Device

Hammer and Metal Drift

Extractor

Nut and Thrust Screws

Mechanical and Hydraulic Press

Hydraulic Nut

1.10.6 Hammer and Mounting Device

Mounting
Small size (< 80 mm) bearings with a cylindrical bore
Mounting done by gentle taps with a hammer, when fit is not too tight
A soft steel mounting sleeve with a flat face is recommended
Mounting Sleeve is to be applied at the ring which has the tighter fit

1.10.7 Extractor
Dismounting
Small and medium sized cylindrical bored bearings
The extractor always has to be applied to the tight - fitting ring
Extractor with three adjustable arms
Extractor with puller arms for split ring

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.10.8 Mechanical and Hydraulic Press

Mounting
All sizes of bearings with cylindrical bore
Useful for mounting and dismounting for series
without heating
Available in a great variety of types

Dismounting
Space to be provided under bearing

1.10.9 Nut and Hook Wrench

Mounting
For tapered bore bearings of size < 100 mm
Mounting with adapter or withdrawal sleeve
Mating surfaces covered with a very thin oil film
After mounting, the radial clearance has to be measured Nut is tightened

with a hook wrench

1.10.10

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.10.10

Thermal method

For mounting of cylindrical bore bearings with tight fits

Used when mechanical pressing is not applicable

Oil Bath

Induction Coils

Heating Plate

Hot Air Cabinet

Induction Heating

Heating Ring

1.10.11 Induction Heating

Mounting
For small and medium sizes
Suitable for all bearing types
Fast and clean
Suitable for series mounting
The heated parts get magnetized, but after heating, the
parts are automatically demagnetized

1.11

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.11 Lubrication
Some modern bearing assemblies require routine addition of lubricants, while others are factory
sealed, requiring no further maintenance for the life of the mechanical assembly. The lubricant is
intended to reduce friction. However, if the lubricant becomes contaminated by hard particles, such
as steel chips from the race or bearing, sand, or grit, the lubricant quickly begins to act as a grinding
compound. This greatly reduces the operating life of the bearing assembly.
The primary purpose of the lubricant is to
build a load-carrying film separating the
bearing components in rolling and sliding
contact in order to minimize friction and

Mounting
Faults
5%
Liquid
Contamination
5%

wear. The lubricant should also protect the

Solid
Contamination
20%

bearing against corrosion. If required, it

should also act as a sealant, and in case of

Insufficient
Lubricant
15%

circulating oil lubrication, as a coolant.

Material and
Consequential Production
Damage
Faults
5%
less than 1%

Unsuitable Choice of
Bearing
( design, size, load
carrying capacity)
10%

Aged
Lubricant

Unsuitable
Lubricant
20%

Why does a bearing fail?

Lubricating film
thickness 3m

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.12 Common Forms of Bearing Damages

False brinelling

Lip fractures

Seizure

Overheating

Contamination

Lubricant failure

Outer ring fracture

Axial cracks

Corrosion

Misalignment

Normal fatigue

Fluting

Slippage tracks

True brinelling

Excessive loads

Fretting

1.12.1

Lubrication Failure
Symptoms include discolored (blue/brown) raceways and
balls/rollers.
Causes

Restricted lubricant flow

Excessive temperatures

Notes:

Pure oil has a useful life of 30 years at 30C

The life is cut in half for each 10C rise

i.e. at 100C oil has a useful life of 90 days.

1.12.2

Poort Lubricant

Causes

insufficient lubricant supply

operating temperature to high water penetrates

1.12.3

Overheating

Symptoms of overheating are the discoloration of the rings,

balls/rollers and cages
from gold to blue. Temperatures in excess of 400 oC.
Causes

Heavy electrical heat loads

Inadequate heat paths

Insufficient cooling or lubrication

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.12.4

Outer Ring Fracture

Causes

Poor support of the ring in the

bearing housing

Pre-load due incorrect

bearing clearance

1.12.5

Excessive Load

Symptoms are the same as normal fatigue, although

showing heavier ball wear paths,
Greater evidence of overheating, and a more widespread
and deeper spalling
Causes

1.12.6

Excessive loading of the bearing

Normal Fatigue

Is characterized by "spalling", or a fracture of the running

surface(balls, rollers or raceways) and subsequent
removal of small, discrete particles of material.
Causes

Bearing has remained in operation beyond ist

calculated fatigue life.

1.12.7

Normal Wear
Under circumferential load, the track spreads over
the entire raceway circumference

In case of point load, the track on the stationary ring

is shorter than half the raceway circumference.

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.12.8

Misalignment

Misalignment failure can be detected on the raceway of the nonrotating ring

by a rolling element wear path that is not parallel to the raceway
edges.
Causes

Shaft deflection

Misaligned housing halves or plummer block housing

Out-of-square abutment surfaces

Too much bearing clearance in combination with moment

load

1.12.9

Corrosion

Results from the chemical attack on bearing materials by hostile

fluids or atmospheres.
Symptoms

Red/Brown areas on rolling elements, raceways, or cages

Causes

Exposing bearings to corrosive

fluids or atmospheres

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

1.13

Bearing and Vibration

Antifriction bearings are considered as one of the major elements in vibration analysis
of a system because:

Bearings represent a fundamental and basic element that controls the stability and rigidity of
a dynamic system

They may be an important source of vibrations

This is why they are considered as a fundamental and crucial feature in a Predictive
Maintenance Program of a system.

For example Self aligned ball bearing

- Decrease the effect of misalignment on the stability of the transmission.

It is considered as a pivot and hence decrease the rigidity of the system.

Cylindrical roller bearing

can not withstand the effect of misalignment of the shaft

It is considered as a rigid fixation and hence increase the rigidity of the system

Example
The figures below give examples of envelope spectra of a ball bearing in 4 conditions

Good rolling element bearing

Bearing with misalignment of the outer race

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

Bearing with misalignment of the outer race

Wear of a rolling surface

Crack on a rolling surface

Condition Monitoring / offline
Various analyzing methods of vibration signal
Early detection of bearing damage and gear damage
User is assisted by automatic diagnosis method (expert system)

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham

 Local data analysis: information instead of data flow

Automatic alarm functions
Tele service functions via Internet or wireless links
Affordable entry level with easy expansion
Suitable for complex machines with multiple vibration sources
Detects bearing damage in earliest stages of development

Rolling and Fluid film Bearings

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Dr. Ibrahim El Fahham