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THE ANNALS OF DUNREA DE JOS UNIVERSITY OF GALAI FASCICLE VIII, TRIBOLOGY, 2011 (XVII), Issue 1 ISSN 1221-4590

THE SCREW FASTENING ORDER IN SLEWING RINGS

Daniel REZMIRES1, Alfredo MONFARDINI2, Cezar RACOCEA3
1

S.C. SIRCA S.A., Piatra Neamt, ROMANIA, 2RIMA Spa., ITALY; 3 Technical University Gh. Asachi Iasi, ROMANIA drezmir@hotmail.com, www.sirca.com.ro www.rimaspa.it ABSTRACT

The slewing rings are composed of two rings, one inner and one outer, in which raceways are obtained that, contains the rolling elements on which the working loads are transmitted from the moving ring to the fixed one. The rings can be produced ungeared as well as with internal or external gear. Then the slewing ring is fitted with grease nipple and seals for the lubricant. The forces on the rings and the safety of the slewing rings are strictly related to the quality of the bolts. Correct fastening orders applied to the screw assure a uniform distribution of the contact pressure between the fastened bodies. This paper presents some numerical results concerning the diagonal and star shape patterns. Keywords: Slewing rings, diagonal and star shape pattern, the fastening order list

1. INTRODUCTION
The slewing rings [1, 2] (Fig. 1) are fixed in the The slewing rings [1, 2] (Fig. 1) are fixed in the mounting structure using a computed number of screws, which pass by the ring holes. The external loads directions in a slewing ring are presented in Figure 2. The screw number (holes) in the bearing rings are a function of the limit load chart and depends on the strength of the bolts and the working conditions. Some geometric parameters of the holes and the structure support are presented in Figure 3. For some common bolts, the forces and the fastening moments (Fp, Ms) are presented in Figure 4, and are reported within the chart, calculated on normal pitch. Fastening with hydraulic tools is suggested at 85% of the chart value.

Fig. 1. Slewing rings components

Fig. 2. External load directions

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THE ANNALS OF DUNREA DE JOS UNIVERSITY OF GALAI FASCICLE VIII, TRIBOLOGY, 2011 (XVII), Issue 1 ISSN 1221-4590

. Fig. 3. The design solution Fig. 4. The fastening moments (Fp, Ms)

Fig. 5. The logical schema for the slewing ring chosen A preliminary choice of 4 point contact slewing ring is suggested in Figure 5 [1, 2]. A limit load chart for a slewing ring shows the influence of the bolt class, as it is presented in Figure 6. There are some recommendations regarding the fastening structure. For a uniform load distribution, a rigid surface is required, that ensures a minimum contact pressure of 500 MPa. The drawing indicates rough values of thickness of the support structure; H indicates the slewing ring height (Fig. 7). Also, the flatness of the mounting surface is imposed (Fig. 8). The maximum flatness of the mounting surface is required (Tp) to graduate an optional performance of the slewing ring. Here, a tolerance chart of planarity is available. Radial tolerance must not exceed 1/2 of Tp value. When a planarity correction is needed synthetic resins are required.

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THE ANNALS OF DUNREA DE JOS UNIVERSITY OF GALAI FASCICLE VIII, TRIBOLOGY, 2011 (XVII), Issue 1 ISSN 1221-4590

Fig. 6. The limit load chart and the screw limit load limitation

Fig. 7. The structure elements.

Fig. 8. The planarity recommendations you have to choose between the diagonal and star shape patterns as is presented in figure 9 [1, 2]. A computer code was developed by SIRCA SA and Rima Spa to establish the shape pattern to the screw mounting order. According to this code results, the fastening list order is presented in Table 1 for some usual numbers. Because the computer code uses the mod function the list starts from 0. In this condition the first screw (hole) has attached the 0 index, and so on just to N screw which has attached the N-1 index. For a good understanding of the Fastening List form Table 1, some graphical examples are presented in Figures 10 and 11. (Where: idx represents the index number).

2. FASTENING BOLTS SEQUENCE

All the geometric elements indicated in the chart as well as the number and class of raw materials indicated by the technical specification of the slewing rings must be respected. Use of threaded screws along its entire length is forbidden. In the event that the superficial contact of the under head/screw and bolt exceed on the support a QT washer is required. The fixing process is made in 3 steeps with 30%, 80% and 100% of the tightening torque. As function of the hole number

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THE ANNALS OF DUNREA DE JOS UNIVERSITY OF GALAI FASCICLE VIII, TRIBOLOGY, 2011 (XVII), Issue 1 ISSN 1221-4590

Fig. 9. The diagonal and the star shape examples for 27 and 48 bolts, respectively [1, 2]

N idx 4 6 8 9 10 12 14 15 16 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 2 4 3 5 4 7 5 8 6 3 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 10 10 12 12 4 3 1 1 2 1 2 2 3 2 4 3 5 4 3 5 4 4 6 6 7 6 9 6 5 5 1 7 9 10 13 12 14 15 7 6 3 2 1 5 2 4 2 7 8 7 7 5 6 9 9 9 10 13 9 8 8 8 1 12 14 13 1 10 9 3 7 5 6 5 10 11 10 11 8 11 9 16 12 11 3 1 1 1 4 13 12 4 8 3 14 14 13 11 13 11 2 15 14 3 15 8 16 15 7 17 Table 1. The fastening list order for Fig. 10. The fastening order for some usual screw numbers N=15 screws. (Star shape pattern)

Fig. 11. The fastening order for N=14 screws. (Diagonal shape pattern)

3. CONCLUSIONS
The computer code generates screw order list which can be used to assure a good mounting of the slewing rings bearing. The list can be used also in different technical fields to assemble the different parts of a industrial machines. The list can be generated for a large number of screw, as for example N=90, used in some special applications.

REFERENCES
1. Slewing Ring General Catalogue ED2010/AM-DR, available on
line: www.sirca.com.ro 2. Slewing Ring General Catalogue, Ed 2006/AM, available on line: www.rimaspa.it