Cost-effective alternatives to premium spherical roller bearings

Premium spherical roller bearings are generally considered a safe choice. They offer high load ratings, a predictable service life, and low risk. However, this logic is incomplete. Through calculations and simulations, Findling demonstrates that more economically viable solutions are possible. The decisive factor is not merely the rolling bearing itself, but the interplay between load, rotational speed, and lubricant.

The starting point is typical: a customer uses a premium bearing and relies on catalog values. Dynamic and static load ratings dominate the selection process, while other influencing factors remain secondary. This is precisely where Findling steps in. The rolling bearing experts conduct comparative analyses for their customers, contrasting the premium standard bearing with alternatives from lower performance classes and determining the expected service life for each. To do this, Findling employs the modified reference rating life method (Lnmrh) in accordance with ISO/TS 16281. In addition to operating conditions, this method takes into account lubrication, cleanliness, and load distribution within the bearing at the level of individual rolling elements. The MESYS simulation tool is used for these calculations.

A recent example from Findling’s quality laboratory illustrates how this works in practice: a customer sought an alternative to the premium spherical roller bearings they had previously been using. Findling compared these high-end products with spherical roller bearings from the ABEG performance classes "Supra" and "Eco." As expected, the premium bearing met all requirements. Initially, the more cost-effective alternatives from the lower performance classes did not; due to their lower load ratings, their service life fell short of the target values. However, the picture changed significantly when the lubricant was adapted to the specific application. Simulations showed a marked increase in the service life of the more affordable bearings, allowing them to meet or even exceed the requirements.

The result demonstrates that load rating is not the sole decisive criterion when selecting a rolling bearing; rather, the key lies in tailoring the bearing to actual operating conditions. A bearing from a lower performance class, combined with an application-optimized lubricant, can be the more cost-effective choice. "Lubrication has a significant impact on service life, especially at low speeds," explains Janek Herzog, an application engineer at Findling Wälzlager. "The more precisely we understand the operating conditions, the more accurately we can configure the alternatives and transform an expensive standard solution into a more economical one."