Pillowblock Bearings

Yes...First I would check that they are high temp bearings...If they are, then I would consider doubling up the bearing, one just above the other, or going with a more heavy duty type....

http://www.hightempbearings.com/

You don't say what kind of bearing, and is that 400° F or C or K?

The brand is Seal Master and the temp is 400 F.

What I meant was what type of bearing? Is it designed for vertical loading AND high temperature operation, and finally what does your bearing supplier say about this?

Does the bearing look like this?

yes it does look like that one and I knew you meant what type, but I didn't really know what type they are. I haven't talked to the rep yet, but I just asked my second shift maintence tech to check all the information on the box.

And, what's your function, Bruce?

It's a little late to be reading the outside of the box.

Go to your bearing supplier, or, better yet have, "your second shift maintenance tech" tell them what he needs.

Cheers.

Because I just started working here, I'm playing catch up with problems, that's why I was reading the box to see what they have been using.

This should have been your initial post. (I added the bold copy) Because I just started working here, I'm playing catch up with problems, because I am not very familiar with the drive systems used here. that's why I was reading the box to see what they have been using. I will ask my techs for help, since they will already know I'm lost.

Keep doing what you've been doing until you can identify the problem, or find a way to cool the bearings, then fix it.

We'll help. Welcome to CR4.

Not all Pillowblock Bearings no.... Best to specify the bearing type and the loads you are applying, the weight of the vertical assembly, the type of lubricant used.

Wouldn't hurt to be a little more specific on the actual temperature of this bearing and not the oven.

we shot the shaft temp just above the bearing at about 400 degrees F. This is as close to the bearing as we can get. I was concerned about the strain of the bearing mounted vertical, I don't know if it is aftermarket or oem.

Look up LDK high temperature bearing units, see if this might help you.

Also remember that the normal thrust load rating of a tapered roller bearing is about 50-60% of its rated radial load (however this depends on your specific type).

Proper type of lubrication at your high operating temperture is paramount.

That sounds like what they looked like the last time. I know the grease is high temp and the feed is automatic with a timer, not sure how often is exchanges though.

Besides the vertical mounting issue, you need to also consider the loads, angels, alignment, speeds, lube intervals and lube product.

Are the old bearings dry when replaced?If the bearings are dry, you need to improve the lube quality, or frequency. If you have two shifts, try lubing the bearings each shift, or twice per shift. There are automated lube systems that will send measured amounts of lube at predetermined timed intervals, or with selected starts of the machine. Contact a reputable bearing supplier and learn all you can. Then you will be in a better position to offer suggestions for improvement. Good luck, and welcome.

" All of this mechanism is above an oven at about 400 degrees when operating."

Which is 400 deg F? the oven or the bearing ?

I can't fully picture your layout. Is there any way to put some insulation between the oven and the bearing, or maybe a fan to cool the space where the bearing is?

Generally I think a pillow block can be any direction around a horizontal shaft. But on a vertical shaft, its capabilities as a thrust bearing must be checked.

The discussion is a bit surreal. A shaft may be located above an oven by necessity. But the motor is not. I happened not to know motors built to run at 400F ambient. It must be placed relatively cool. Then all it takes some flexible insulation hose and a pancake fan to keep the shaft and bearing comfortably cooled. Then the lubrication may not be such a problem either. Unless the bearings are overloaded from the beginning, that is.

400 degrees is too hot for most bearings, the bearing will heat damage at anything above 300F,even lower in some cases, As for the pillow block call the bearing manufacturer and tell him or her the usage, temperature conditions and loading both horizontal and vertical. You will need some form of cooling for this operation unless you can find a high temp bearing. We had these in the steel mill but speeds were not high. Shielding from the heat and or some cooling medium is called for. Please call your supplier no point being in the dark.

If this vertical installation is supporting vertical load and not just maintaining a rotating centerline with side loads then your pillowblock bearing are not the best choice. If vertical load is the case, then perhaps your design might be able to include a nice thrust bearing to relieve that vertical load. Also be sure to lube with a product rated at the temps you described.

edit: The pillow block bearings do not like to be overly side loaded and are normally used in horizantal configurations supporting a vertical load. In your situation I am envisioning a vertical shaft using these bearings on their "side". If this is wrong, please ignore my answer or rotate my statements 90 degrees.

In addition in selecting the right bearing design for your vertical shafting you have to consider the total weight load of you bearing.

1.) Weight of the shafting. Ws = Volume of the shafting x Density of the shaft material

2.) Load carried by the shafting.

3.) Flexural Loads during rotating. But partly can be ignored as long as the rotating assembly are balanced and add factor of safety to the total load.