2014-09-11 | 000-005-286 DE-ENSCHAEFFLER AG, SCHWEINFURT
Proven to be better thanks to X-life - Schaeffler optimizes its product range
Increased performance for rolling bearings from the INA and FAG brands
Rolling and plain bearings are extremely important for the function, cost-effectiveness and reliability of a wide range of industrial applications. Their consistent continuous development offers considerable potential that can be used to support higher loads, increase operating life, and improve performance. For more than ten years now, X-life has been the seal of quality for particularly high-performance products from the INA and FAG brands. X-life products are characterized by significantly higher dynamic load ratings than previous standard products. The catalog range is continuously being expanded through the addition of new and performance-optimized X-life bearings that allow customers requirements to be fulfilled and the overall efficiency of machines and equipment to be increased. More and more catalog products are thus being replaced by their X-life versions.
Optimized design that improves overall cost-effectiveness
Under the same operating conditions, the operating life of X-life bearings is significantly longer or, alternatively, higher loads can be applied while maintaining the same rating life values. These state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies enable a better and more uniform surface over the whole contact zone between the rolling elements and raceway. The internal construction is designed for optimum functionality using state-of-the-art analysis and evaluation methods which ensures optimized contact surface geometry and more even internal load distribution inside the bearing. As a result, there is a reduction in the stress conditions present on the rolling elements and mating track under identical load. This produces a higher dynamic load rating, longer nominal rating life, less friction, lower bearing temperatures as well as a reduction in the strain placed on the lubricant.
Tests have confirmed that optimizing bearing positions with X-life bearings allows the overall cost-effectiveness of the relevant application to be improved. The hydraulic systems used in wheel loader travel drives with a power transfer unit, hydraulic pumps, motors, and innumerable rolling and plain bearing positions are one example: The overall efficiency of this application can be increased by up to two percent. For a wheel loader with 140 kW drive power, this means a total saving of around 9 kW. In an application with 1,000 wheel loaders operated for around eight hours a day, this gives an annual savings potential of approximately 26,000 MWh, in other words a financial saving of around five million Euros and a CO2 saving of around 16,000 tons. In addition, optimization using X-life bearings ultimately means that the hydraulic pumps and motors that are used can be made a size smaller.
Efficient gearbox bearing solutions for agricultural machinery: FAG tapered roller bearings in X-life quality
Thanks to their innovative internal design, FAG tapered roller bearings in X-life quality are an efficient bearing variant for pinion shaft bearing supports in tractor transmissions that is particularly suitable for the highest load requirements. Specially machined raceway, roller surfaces and optimized contact geometry between the rolling element end face and inner ring rib allows power loss to be reduced by up to 50%.
The improved surfaces allow an elastohydrodynamic lubricant film to be formed more quickly at low speeds during the start-up process and in field operation, which means that wear and friction - and thus the generation of high temperatures - can be reduced. Aforementioned design features not only save fuel but also reduce the aging of the lubricant at the same time. The improved surfaces in the rolling contact and the use of higher-quality materials increase the dynamic load carrying capacity up to 20%, which in turn allows the operating life to be extended up to 70%.
The contact geometry between the rollers and the raceway (so-called profiling) has been revised and counteracts harmful edge pressure, plastification in the rolling contact in the event of shock loads and severe shaft tilting in the full load range (e.g. during field operation). This protects the bearings and thus the machine from premature failure. FAG tapered roller bearings in X-life quality therefore increase the efficiency, durability, and reliability of gearboxes in mobile driven machines and make a significant contribution towards reducing their lifecycle costs.
With FAG X-life tapered roller bearings, it is also possible to downsize tractor gearboxes while maintaining or even increasing their performance, thus achieving decisive advantages in terms of costs and competitiveness.
INA radial insert ball bearings and housing units in X-life quality: For a longer bearing life
Thanks to X-life quality, radial insert ball bearings and housing units for applications in agriculture, the food processing and packaging industry, and in textile machines also benefit from a 15% increase in bearing life, an expanded application temperature range of -40 C to 180 C, and a high level of anti-corrosion protection through the use of Corrotect N coating. An improved locking collar design also means higher clamping forces and thus secure seating on the shaft, thanks to optimized geometry and improved material properties. Reliable seals keep the high-quality bearing grease inside the bearing and prevent the ingress of contamination and moisture. This increases the durability of the bearing and thus extends the operating life of the machine.
FAG axial and radial spherical roller bearings in X-life quality
FAG axial and radial spherical roller bearings in X-life quality are characterized by increased robustness, load carr
