Investigation and modelling of the operational behaviour of tapered roller bearings at high speeds

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Brecher
• Subject Area: Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development ; Metal-Cutting and Abrasive Manufacturing Engineering
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 253855621

Despite their high load rating and stiffness compared to spindle bearings, the usage of tapered roller bearings in machine tool main spindles for heavy roughing and HPC operations is not very common. This is mainly due to their low speed rating and the limited knowledge about their high speed operating behaviour.This research project pursues two major objectives: First, algorithms to describe the high speed operating behaviour of tapered roller bearings are to be developed. Generally, modelling the rolling and sliding contacts inside the bearing forms the basis for these calculations. In detail, special emphasis has to be put on the tribologically crucial, non-Hertzian roller-rib contact. Besides describing the force, speed and temperature dependent load-displacement behaviour, these models shall form the basis for calculating the bearing friction. Analogy experiments to further analyse the load, lubrication and friction conditions in the roller-rib contact shall be carried out to support the modelling.Secondly, test rig experiments with real bearings are used to verify the calculations. Additionally, these tests are designed to prove that the new algorithms allow for the development of tapered roller bearings with considerably increased speed ratings.The methods developed in this project can form the basis for more advanced descriptions of the operating behaviour of tapered roller bearings. Additionally they will allow for the specific optimisation of such bearings for the application in new types of machine tool main spindles and other applications like high speed gears.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants