Data acquisition


consumer cars usually provide less than 6,000 rpm. The higher rpms of electric motors are a major selling point in terms of performance, and also eliminate the need for heavy and expensive transmissions. But this puts higher quality demands on components throughout the powertrain.


Automotive bearings undergo a great deal of stress, wear and tear, depending on the application. They must withstand higher centrifugal forces with minimal self-heating caused by rapid rotation. Aside from wear on the bearings themselves, design engi- neers must also consider the life of the vehicle, which must perform reliably over hundreds-of-thousands of miles decades into the future.


When choosing bearings for automotive engi- neering, there is a lot to consider. Not just the specifications of size and material, but also the choice of lubricant and choosing a reliable supplier. It is essential to select high quality bearings that offer the best performance, longest component life and to avoid parasitic losses at all costs. As an authorised UK distributor, SMB Bearings recom- mends EZO brand miniature bearings, thin section bearings and stainless steel bearings. As well as selecting your automotive bearings carefully, you


Instrumentation Monthly November 2024


must also consider lubricant.


SMB Bearings are experts in advising customers on the best lubricant for their application, which can have a dramatic effect on bearing performance. For example, automotive bearings for slow moving parts or controls, such as steering column bearings, can be supplied with specialist dampening lubricants to reduce vibration and provide smoother operation.


REAL-TIME DATA


While the shift to e-mobility gathers pace, designs of bearings have remained consistent for decades, despite some evolutions in the materials used as in ceramic bearings. However, a major change has been digitalisation - especially the use of bearings within the context of Industry 4.0. Digital technologies like advanced diagnostics and machine-to-machine communications have changed how maintenance is executed. In particular, digitalisation has heralded a move away from reactive maintenance towards predictive maintenance. Industry 4.0 technologies like sensors can be fixed to automotive compo- nents, gleaning real-time data on their condition and performance which is then relayed to


manufacturers’ or engineers’ supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. These developments include Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)-compatible smart bearings, which are able to self-diagnose impending faults and failures. Because they are typically located in the heart of all rotating applications, smart bearings are ideally-placed to help engineers adopt a predictive approach to maintenance. Crucial data on bearing speed and direction, or on the rotational speeds, forces and vibrations impacting upon the bearing and other components, allow for advanced diag- nostics to be performed.


Every part in an electric vehicle, big or small, has an integral role in keeping a car running, and this goes for specialist bearings, too. To this end, early warnings about any deterioration in bearing condition can also be accessed. This data can be transferred to the cloud and accessed by engineers in real-time and, as part of a predictive maintenance strategy, help EVs runoptimally and for longer distances.


SMB Bearings www.smbbearings.com 85


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