Bearing Research - Finite Element Analysis

SolidWorks was used to create these studies which tell us how the bearings would behave under load. Three different types of bearing where studied and the most appropriate was chosen for our final group design. The three types of bearing studied were the roller, thrust and ball type of bearings. The force applied to the bearings was 490 N. This is because the force from the load being lifted would be divided between many bearing in the race.

Roller Bearing

Axial loading - 490 N

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Radial loading - 490 N

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This type of bearing has a low axial load capacity and high friction under axial loads.However, it has a high radial load capacity. This study also shows that the stresses exerted onto the bearing do not exceed the yield strength of the material (chromium stainless steel alloy).This means the bearings used on our design will not plastically deform under load.

Thrust Bearing

Axial loading - 490 N

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Radial loading - 490 N

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This type of bearing has a high axial load capacity but a lower radial load capacity. This study also shows that the stresses exerted onto the bearing do not exceed the yield strength of the material (chromium stainless steel alloy).This means the bearings used on our design will not plastically deform under load.

Ball Bearing

Axial loading - 490 N

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Radial loading - 490 N

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This type of bearing has a high axial load capacity and a high radial load capacity. This study also shows that the stresses exerted onto the bearing do not exceed the yield strength of the material (chromium stainless steel alloy).This means the bearings used on our design will not plastically deform under load.

From doing these studies we can see that the ball type of bearing would be the most suitable for use in our crane. This is because the ball type of bearing can handle axial and radial forces and also moments very well.