HANDLING FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE

The right handling of ball bearings related to storage, installation-preparation and grease distribution processes ensures unlimited use, optimal performance characteristics and long life expectancy.

STORAGE

Proper storage of GMN products ensures bearing-specific performance characteristics until they are installed.

Store the ball bearing in its original packaging
Protect from dust and moisture
Protect against temperature and humidity fluctuations

Shelf life of preserved and grease lubricated ball bearings: max. 2 years (with proper storage)

Further information about storage is available on request.

Installation preparation

Careful preparation of the installation environment and relevant
components assure unrestricted utilization of GMN ball bearing
performance characteristics.

Preparing the Mounting Enviroment

Keep the assembly environment clean, free from dust and compressed air
Provide the necessary measuring and assembly tools
Ensure the temperature of all parts
Clean the parts
Check the condition and dimensions of the components
Detailed information can be found in the chapter Design under the section “Optimization of the fit with RPMs”.

Preparing the Components

Unscrew ball bearing immediately before assembly
Do not wash the ball bearing: Most greases and lubricating oils are compatible with the bearing’s preservation oil.

Preparing for Grease Lubrication:

Provide the required type and volume of grease (precision scale).
Distribute the lubricating grease in the area of the ballsandgrooves on both sides with a dosing syringe.
Further information about grease and the required amounts can be found here.

Bearing Installation

Match the dimensions of the bearings and the components (fits)
Ball bearings must be tightened or pressed precisely in the axial direction (do not misalign)
Do not pass the mounting force over the balls
Heat the inner ring if using a press fit (maximum 100 °C)
Pay attention to axial shrinkage due to cooling
Detailed information can be found under the following points: Assembly and Commissioning.

Installation

Information on the mounting and installation of GMN spindle bearings and ball bearings.

Installation of the ball bearings should be carried out in a room as dust-free and dry as possible, where neither compressed air nor metal cutting tools are used.

The ball bearings should be taken out of their packaging just before their installation.

Any filling with grease must also be done shortly before installation. One must not use spatulas or lubricate the bearings manually.
Ideally, one should insert the grease using an injection syringe (can be found in a pharmacy).
Further information about grease and the required amounts can be found here.

One need not wash the bearing with normal lubricating greases. Only silicone-, PFC- or PTFE-based greases are recommended to remove the preservative. This cleaning may not be performed in an ultrasound bath. Loosening the preservative should be done with light swinging motions.
It is recommended to use filtered washing benzene 100/140 (max. filter size 0.45 µm). The bearings should be vented using a dust-proof cover.
Ball bearings may never by blown dry, as dust and moisture could penetrate them.

The ball bearings which are ready to install may be installed using the right installation material. It is important that the installation tools prevent tilting of the bearing into the seat, and that the installation force is never introduced on the roller body. This would lead to pressing into the grooves, and therefore to running noises and lower service life of the bearing.

Important instructions about the mounting of universally matched bearings / bearing sets can be seen here.

Installing on the shaft over the inner ring (IR)

In this case, the ball bearing is correctly pressed onto the shaft with a fixed position. The installation forces are only introduced through the inner ring. The balls and grooves remain force-free and undamaged.

Installing on the shaft over the inner ring

Installing onto the shaft and into the housing over the inner ring (IR) and outer ring (AR)

In the case that two fixed seats are provided, the bearing can be pressed evenly over both rings, and thus installed.
This ensures that the balls and grooves are undamaged.

Installing over the inner and outer ring

Commissioning

Oil Lubrication

In the case of oil-lubricated bearings, no particular break-in process is generally prescribed, but it has proved to be advantageous if

The lubrication is available before commissioning (consider the length of the supply lines in the case of oil-air lubrication), lubrication is avoided during start-up,
a short running-in phase is carried out which allows the bearings to settle.

You can find technical information about oil lubrication in our downloads.

Grease Lubrication

The required grease distribution process ensures even bearing lubrication, and optimizes distribution of the lubricating grease in the bearing (grease thickener is removed from the ball rolling area, and the basic oil evenly wets the greased areas).

Reduced moving
Low bearing temperature
Use of the n · dm factor of the grease
High operating safety
Long grease and bearing life

You can find technical information on grease lubrication in our downloads.

Information about the grease distribution process

Avoid external loads
Acceleration to partial speed in approx. 20 seconds
Type of grease (viscosity) and quantity of grease
eCheck temperature and sound generation (at more than 60 °C housing temperature or in case of extreme noise generation: Stop the grease distribution and continue after the resting phase)
High running stability and a persistence of the temperatures ensure a successfully completed grease distribution run

You will find technical information on grease distribution in our downloads.