Bearings are some of the most critical components in countless machines, systems, and assets. They enable smooth and efficient movement by reducing friction between moving parts. Ensuring optimal performance and longevity requires understanding a bearing's lifecycle.

This can be broken down into what is known as the 5 Key Stages of a Bearing's Life, which includes:

1. Manufacturing
2. Application and Design
3. Storage and Handling Best Practices
4. Installation and Setup Best Practices
5. Service Life, Maintenance, and Lubrication

Stage 1: Bearing Manufacturing

The journey of a bearing begins with its manufacturing process, which involves intricate steps to ensure precision and durability. Bearings can be broadly categorized into two types: mass-produced bearings and custom-designed bearings for specific applications.

Material Selection

Reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) ensure that precision bearings are manufactured with minimal contaminants. The first step in bearing manufacturing is selecting high-quality materials.

Bearings are typically made from steel alloys, ceramics, or polymers, and the material is chosen based on the intended application and performance requirements. These materials must possess properties such as hardness, wear resistance, and fatigue strength.

Forging and Shaping

Once the raw material is selected, it undergoes a forging and shaping process. Steel bearings, for instance, are often forged to achieve a desired shape and size. This process involves heating the material and then applying pressure to mold it into the rough shape of the bearing.

Machining

After forging and shaping, the forged blanks are subjected to machining operations, including turning, milling, and grinding.

These processes refine the bearing’s dimensions and surface finish to meet precise specifications. The inner and outer races, rolling elements, and cages are all machined to tight tolerances to ensure smooth operation.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is a crucial step in enhancing the bearing’s housing, cage, and other mechanical properties.

This process involves heating the bearing components to a specific temperature and then rapidly cooling them. Heat treatment improves hardness, strength, and wear resistance, making the bearing suitable for demanding applications.

Assembly

The final stage of manufacturing a bearing is assembly. The inner and outer races, rolling elements, and cage are carefully assembled to form the complete bearing.

This step requires meticulous attention to detail to ensure proper alignment and clearance. Once assembled, the bearings are inspected for quality and performance.

Stage 2: Bearing Application & Design

After manufacturing, the next critical stage is the application and design of the bearing. This stage ensures that the bearing is appropriately selected and designed for its intended use, which is often specified by the end user. 

Application Analysis

Understanding the application, specific needs, and requirements is essential for selecting the correct bearing. Factors that must be considered include:

• Load capacity
• Speed
• Operating environment
• Desired lifespan

For instance, bearings used in high-speed applications, like electric motors, differ significantly from those used in heavy machinery.

Bearing Types

There are various types of bearings, each suited for specific applications. Common types include:

• Ball Bearings: Ideal for high-speed applications with low to moderate loads
• Roller Bearings: Better suited for heavy loads and low-speed applications

Customization

In some cases, standard bearings may not meet specific application requirements. Custom bearings can be designed with unique features, such as special coatings, seals, or lubrication systems to enhance their performance in challenging environments.

Simulation and Testing

Before finalizing the design, simulation tools and various testing methods are used to validate the bearing’s performance. Computer-aided design (CAD) software allows engineers to simulate various operating conditions and optimize the bearing design.

Prototypes are then tested under real-world conditions to ensure they meet performance criteria.

Stage 3: Bearing Storage & Handling Best Practices

As important as this step is, this is a stage in the bearing’s life where defects are most likely to be introduced.  Proper storage and handling practices are crucial to maintaining the quality and performance of bearings before they are installed. 

Storage Conditions

Store bearings in a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled environment. Excessive humidity can lead to corrosion, while extreme temperatures can cause dimensional changes.

Ideally, bearings should be kept in their original, unopened packaging until ready for use. They should also be stored in cabinets or areas free from excessive vibration to reduce the risk of false brinelling and flat spotting on running surfaces before the bearing is even put into service. 

Handling Precautions

Handling bearings with care is essential to prevent damage. Special consideration should be taken to avoid dropping or mishandling bearings – even minor impacts can cause dents or deformations that affect performance.

It is recommended that bearings always be handled with clean gloves, which prevent contamination from oils, dirt, or moisture.

Inventory Management

Implementing proper inventory management practices ensures that bearings are used on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. This method prevents older bearings from being stored for extended periods, which can degrade their quality.

Inspection Before Use

Before installation, a bearing should be inspected for any signs of damage or contamination. Check for corrosion, dents, or other abnormalities that could affect performance. If any issues are detected, the bearing should not be used.

Stage 4: Bearing Installation & Setup Best Practices

This is another stage where defect introduction is likely to occur. Proper installation and setup practices are crucial to ensuring the bearing functions correctly and achieves its maximum lifespan.

Preparation

Before installation, ensure that all components and tools are clean and contaminant-free. The mounting surfaces should be inspected and cleaned to remove any debris or burrs that could affect alignment.

Installation Methods

Different installation methods are used depending on the bearing type and application. Common methods include press fitting, shrink fitting, and the use of specialized tools like bearing heaters.

With each method, bearings must be fitted to shafts and not forced or hammered into place. Steps should also be taken for proper alignment and balancing. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines for the specific bearing type is crucial.

Alignment and Clearances

Proper alignment and clearances are essential for bearing performance. Misalignment can lead to uneven load distribution, increased friction, and premature wear. Precision instruments should be used to ensure that the bearing is correctly aligned with the shaft and housing. 

Lubrication

Proper lubrication at start-up is vital during installation to reduce friction and wear. To achieve this, the recommended lubricant should be applied in the appropriate quantity. Over-lubrication or under-lubrication can lead to a host of issues.

Additionally, measures must be taken to ensure that the lubrication method, whether grease or oil, is suitable for the bearing type and application.

Stage 5: Bearing Service Life, Maintenance, & Lubrication

The final stage of a bearing’s life involves its service life, ongoing maintenance, and lubrication practices. 

Regular Inspections

Routine inspections are essential to monitor the bearing’s condition and to identify any signs of wear or damage. Visual inspections, ultrasound inspections, vibration analyses, and temperature monitoring can provide valuable insights into the bearing’s health.

Maintenance Practices

Proper maintenance practices can significantly extend a bearing’s service life, even if they are the OEM’s recommended maintenance practices.

While this is a good place to start, these practices should also be customized based on the bearing’s specific environment and operating conditions. This includes regular cleanings, re-lubrication, and adjusting clearances as necessary.

Lubrication Management

Effective lubrication management is critical for bearing longevity. To accomplish this, steps should be taken to ensure the bearing is consistently and adequately lubricated based on operating conditions.

For grease-lubricated bearings, periodic re-greasing is necessary, while oil-lubricated bearings may require oil changes or top-ups.  Additionally, lubricants should be stored in a cool, clean, and dry environment and delivered in a way that prevents contaminants from being introduced to the bearing and rolling elements. 

Ultrasound for Precision Condition-Based Lubrication

Using ultrasound for bearing re-lubrication has become one of the more advanced uses of ultrasound technology and, in a sense, has become the industry’s unofficial method for properly greasing bearings.

Ultrasound can detect the high-frequency sound emitted by bearings, which change based on their lubrication status. By regularly monitoring the decibel levels of these bearings, maintenance teams can determine the precise lubrication needs of each bearing, preventing both under-lubrication and over-lubrication.

When the friction level increases inside the bearing housing, meaning that the bearing needs lubricant, there will be an increase in decibel level or noise. Lubricant is added just until the friction level or the noise falls back to a standard or baseline level. If the decibel level increases during re-lubrication, this is also an indication to stop adding lubricant because the threshold has now been met, indicating too much lubricant is being added. 

Using ultrasound for condition-based re-lubrication ensures optimal lubrication levels, reducing wear and extending bearing life.

Addressing Issues

If any issues are detected during an inspection, they should be addressed promptly. Common problems typically include:

• Misalignment
• Contamination
• Insufficient lubrication
• Overloading

Identifying and rectifying these issues early can prevent catastrophic failures and costly downtime. If these discovered problems become repetitive, a thorough Root Cause Analysis (RCA) should be done to determine how the problem occurred. Corrective steps should then be taken to prevent the problem from happening again. 

End of Life

Even with proper maintenance, bearings will eventually reach the end of their service life. Recognizing when a bearing needs to be replaced is crucial to avoid unexpected failures. Signs of impending failure include:

• Increased noise
• Increased vibration
• Increased temperature
• Visible damage

A bearing’s designed life (L10) provides a benchmark for how long it should last. If bearings are falling well short of their projected life expectancy, a facility should discuss why this is happening and implement procedures and steps to improve and extend bearing life. 

Conclusion

Understanding the five stages of a bearing’s life—from manufacturing to service life—ensures that these critical components perform optimally and achieve their maximum intended lifespan.

Adhering to best practices throughout a bearing's lifecycle enhances machinery reliability, reduces downtime, and saves costs. Proper care and attention to each stage of a bearing’s life cycle is essential for maintaining the smooth operation of equipment across various applications regardless of industry and operating conditions.