Frequently Asked Questions

SELF-CLINCHING

Q:What holds the bearing in the panel?

A:The squeezing force applied to the bearing retainer causes the panel material to cold-flow filling the groove and creating a retaining ring in the retainer securely locking the bearing in place.

Q.What requirements are required for the mounting-hole?

A.The hole diameter must be to the specified size and tolerance. The edge of the hole must remain sharp, do not chamfer or deburr. In the design stage ensure the mounting-hole location meets the minimum distance to the material edge.

Q.Do I need special equipment to install the self-clinching bearings?

A.Self-Clinching bearings are installed using any type of parallel acting press.

Q.Can I install the bearing with a hammer blow or similar force?

A.A self-clinching bearing must be installed using a squeezing action. A quick impact installation will not allow sufficient time for the panel material to cold-flow.

Q.Will a self-clinching installation affect the bearing ID?

A.Even though the resulting installation is extremely secure, the installation force is taken by the bearing retainer without having any effect on the ID.

Q.How familiar will my sheet steel fabricator be with self-clinching?

A.The technique is a widely used mounting technology for fasteners originated by PEM.

Q.What are the panel requirements?

A.Firstly the panel material must be ductile, softer than the bearing retainer (65RB Maximum for steel retainers and 75RB Maximum for stainless steel retainers). Secondly if the installation is into sheet steel it must meet the specified minimum thickness for the bearing diameter.

Q.Can the bearings be installed into a stainless steel panel?

A.The bearings can be supplied with a stainless steel retainer for this type of application.

Q.Is there a maximum thickness material beyond which the bearing cannot be installed?

A.As long as the minimum thickness requirement is met, there is no maximum.

Q.What is the push-out force required to displace the bearing?

A.It varies with the bearing size and panel material, push-out forces are specified for steel. As a guide, a 0.250" (6mm) diameter bronze bearing would require a force of 1,100lbs (5,000N) to remove.

SELF-ALIGNING

Q.Can I have a self-aligning bearing operating with a non-aligning bearing on the same shaft?

A.A pair of bearings is required in order to ensure both bearings are aligned with the center axis of the shaft.

Q.The alignment feature is referred to as static misalignment, what is this?

A.The bearings are not designed for continual alignment, the feature is to accommodate shaft misalignment due to manufacturing and assembly ensuring the bearings are aligned during assembly and use.

Q.How does self-aligning extend the bearing life?

A.From the first moment a load is applied, the shaft is laying along the complete length of the bearing thereby maximizing bearing efficiency and life.

Q.I have an application that could potentially require greater than ± 5° of alignment.

A.Custom solutions have been designed giving up to ± 10° of alignment.

MOUNTED BEARINGS

Q.What are the Pillow-Blocks and Housing-Flanges manufactured from?

A.Sintered aluminum, resulting in a lightweight, compact, corrosion resistant assembly.

Q.How do Spyraflo's Self-Aligning, Bronze, Aluminum Pillow-Blocks and Housing-Flanges differ from the other supplier?

A.Due to the materials and manufacturing process used by Spyraflo, a number of significant benefits emerge:

  • Dimensional consistency across multiple production runs.
  • Square, level, perpendicular housings with clean, appealing lines.
  • Bronze bearing has retained 25% oil, competitors has sunk to 12%.
  • Clean consistent viscosity oil, competitors has been super heated and carburized.

Q.I have limited space to mount the Pillow-Block or Housing-Flange.

A.The Spyraflo Self-Aligning Housing-Flange and Pillow-Block width, center-height and overall length are considerably less than the comparable Self-Aligning Ball Bearing assemblies.

BEARING MATERIAL SELECTION

Q. You quote an SAE-840 bronze specification how does this differ from SAE-841?

A.The Society of Automotive Engineers has established oil impregnated bronze bearing standards. The SAE-840 specification dictates a minimum of 25% oil volume in the structure; the SAE-841 specification is 18%. Consequently a longer, more efficient bearing life is obtained by using an SAE-840 specification.

Q.I have a High Temperature application where the bearing is subject to temperatures in excess of 450°F?

A.The Spyraflo HT bearing can operate effectively at 500°F (260°C). The Self-Aligning bearing is available in a Pillow-Block or Housing-Flange configuration or in a Self-Clinching assembly.

Q.What factors should I take into account when considering a bronze bearing?

A.Bronze bearing lubrication is created by a hydrostatic effect whereby the load / speed combination has to be sufficient to create the effect that brings the oil to the surface and lubricates the shaft.
Linear motion that is longer than the shaft diameter is not recommended.
Mounting the bearing vertically is not recommended.

Q.I have an application where the bearing is exposed to dust and dirt and occasional shock loads.

A.Teflon-Bronze bearings operate very effectively in a dusty / dirty environment and by virtue of its steel backing can withstand shock loads.

Q.I have an application requiring an oscillating motion, what should I use?

A. Plain bearings in general accommodate an oscillating action much more effectively than any type of rolling element bearing. Consequently the Delrin®, Bronze or Teflon-Bronze will each work very well.