Investigating the effect of external dynamic loads on the lifetime of rolling element bearings

This paper reviews the design and validation of a novel bearing test rig developed at the KU Leuven. The test rig allows multi-axial static and dynamic loading of a rolling element bearing. Different types and sizes of bearings can be mounted and loaded as if built into a real machine. The test rig will be used to analyse the effect of external dynamic loads on the lifetime of these bearings. The dynamics of the test rig were analysed during the design and validated afterwards. It is proved that the bearings can be excited in the range from 25 to 440 Hz, free from resonances of the test rig. Also, several measures were taken to guarantee precise measurements of the bearing’s axial, radial and tilt motion. In this way, accurately measuring the bearing behaviour while applying a fully controlled dynamic load is the key feature of the test rig. Keywords— rolling element bearings, test rig, dynamic loading