prevent premature failure, but many others require little maintenance. The latter include various kinds of fluid and magnetic bearings, as well as rolling-element bearings that are described with terms includingsealed bearingandsealed for life. These containsealsto keep the dirt out and the grease in. Nonsealed bearings often have agrease fitting, for periodic lubrication with agrease gun, or an oil cup for periodic filling with oil.
Factory machines today usually havelube systems, in
which a central pump serves periodic charges of oil or grease from a reservoir throughlube linesto the variouslube points in the machine'sbearing surfaces, bearing journals,pillow blocks, and so on. The timing and number of suchlube cyclesis controlled by the machine's computerized control, such asPLCorCNC, as well as by manual override functions when occasionally needed.
Bearing life is often much better when the bearing is
kept clean and well lubricated. However, many applications make good maintenance difficult. For example, bearings in the conveyor of arock crusherare exposed continually to hard abrasive particles. Cleaning is of little use, because cleaning is expensive yet the bearing is contaminated again as soon as the conveyor resumes operation.
CARE OF SLEEVE BEARING
A sleeve bearings entire purpose in life is to maintain
a continuous layer of lubricating oil on the surface of the motor shaft. In operation, the oil flows from a reservoir to the feeder wick which rides right on the shaft. As the shaft rotates, the feeder wick pumps a microscopically thin layer of oil from the reservoir down onto the shaft.
So what causes mechanical breakdowns in what is
essentially a closed lubricating system?
The most common enemies of bearings are water (that
can interrupt the flow of oil to the shaft), solvents, or the wrong lubricant.
As a rule of thumb, any type of oil that is labeled
motor oil is okay to use as a lubricant. Detergent oils are acceptable as well; the detergents will not harm the motors windings.
Another thing to remember is to avoid using
chlorinated solvents or industrial degreasers such as WD-40 as lubricants. The solvents can attack and destroy the insulation in the windings leading to motor failure.
When you apply too much lubrication (especially to the
sleeve bearing systems in smaller electric motors), the oil bypasses the bearing flinger and dissipates throughout the motor. Too much lubrication causes oil circulation to exit the closed loop within the bearing system, and the bearing freezes up. Remember that heat kills motors, and sleeve bearings help to reduce the amount of heat the motor generates. Proper care and maintenance of sleeve bearings can help to prolong the life and service of your motors.