5. Conclusion

Mastering the static dimensioning and service life of ball bearings enables their dimensions to be optimized for a given application. The static dimensioning calculations presented here are valid for low to moderate speeds, not exceeding 10,000 rpm ^-1 . At high speeds, the centrifugal force and gyroscopic moment exerted on the rolling elements can significantly alter the contact angle.

We saw in examples 4 and 5 that the approximate method overestimates the load on the balls by 12% and 9% respectively. The exact method is widely used in space applications, where the aim is to minimize the mass of on-board mechanisms, particularly bearings, since steel has a much higher density than the light alloys and composite materials used in satellite structures. It is also useful in miniature mechanisms, as well as in robotics,...