Posted to News on 22nd Aug 2018, 09:43
Improved cage and insulation prolong bearing life
Schaeffler has developed two new products for cylindrical rolling bearings that offer distinct advantages for the rail sector. The new MPAX brass cage for cylindrical rolling bearings is a robust, rib-guided, single-piece solid brass cage, which is very resistant to vibration and shock loads. The MPAX cage has a higher load carrying capacity for radial centrifugal forces (higher radial rigidity) than its predecessors and is also suitable for very high speed applications. In terms of the rail sector, cylindrical rolling bearings with MPAX cages are particularly well suited to final drive gearboxes. Over time, Schaeffler expects the MPAX brass cage to gradually replace the previous cage types.
With MPAX, Schaeffler has improved the overall cage design by reinforcing the side edges, optimising side edge thickness and optimising the pocket corner radius position, resulting in reduced maximum stress on the pocket corner radii. Fatigue effects occur only when very large forces are applied. The cage is always rib-guided on one ring and the rollers can be removed.
New ceramic insulation coating
In addition, Schaeffler has developed a new ceramic insulation coating for rolling bearings (including cylindrical rolling bearings) with outside diameters from 70mm to 800mm. Applied to the outer ring, the new Insutect A J20G coating is a cost-effective option for preventing damage to bearings due to the passage of electrical current. The ceramic coating, which is approximately 700um thick, offers high capacitive resistance, high wear resistance and a disruptive (dieletric) strength of up to 5000V DC. The coating helps prolong the life of lubricating grease and is suitable for bearings that operate in dry or damp conditions.
The Insutect A coating is applied using the plasma spray method and sealed. Coating variants are available from Schaeffler to suit a range of different bearing applications such as rail, wind turbines or industrial three-phase electric motors.
For more information about the MPAX brass cage and Insutect A J20G coating go to www.schaeffler.co.uk.
