A P U B L I C AT I O N O F N S K A M E R I C A S

PROTECT YOUR BEARING INVESTMENT

PROPER RUN-IN PROCEDURES HELP TO MAXIMIZE BEARING LIFE
Following a proper run-in procedure will maximize bearing and grease
lie and can save you time and money in the long run. Skipping these
crucial frst steps can lead to catastrophic ailure at start-up by missing
out on early warning signs o machine aults; itcan damage the bearings
and shorten the grease lie.

How do you know when to adopt a run-in procedure? I your operating

speed exceeds 500,000 DmN or when bearings are preloaded,
consider one o the ollowing run-in methods. I in doubt, consult NSK
beore proceeding. An approximate method o calculating DmN is:

DmN = Speed x (OD + ID)/2

an example o this. The temperature must be stabilized beore
Where: Speed = Maximum Operating Speed (rpm)
OD = Bearing Outside Diameter (mm) graduating to the next stage. See Monitoring Bearing Temperature
ID = Bearing Inside Diameter (mm) beore starting the run-in procedure.
Ex. 7020 (100mm ID x 150mm OD) Bearing
Max Operating Speed o 7,000 rpm TABLE 1 | Continuous Run-in Procedure (Variable Speed)
DmN = 7,000 rpm x (150mm + 100mm)/2 = 875,000 Example: Maximum Operating Speed: 8,000 RPM
Starting Speed and Incremental Value: 8,000 ÷ 10 = 800
There are three common methods obearing run-in. The frst method,
S P E ED 8 00 1 ,6 0 0 2, 40 0 3 ,2 0 0 4 ,0 0 0 4 ,8 0 0 5 ,6 0 0 6 ,1 0 0 7 , 2 00 8 , 00 0
called continuous run-in, gradually increases speed until the fnal operat-
S TA G E1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
ing speed is reached. This procedure,which can require up to 10 hours
to complete, allows the operator to detect potential problems beore they
can cause damage. Consider using this method or new equipment. Intermittent Run-in Procedure, Variable Speed
The second method is used or existing equipment that has previously
This procedure is typically done in 8~10 stages. I using 8 stages,
undergone a thorough run-in. This method, called intermittent run-in, 1
start this procedure by running the spindle at /8 o the fnal
can typically be completed in less than hal thetime as continuous run-in.
operating speed or 10 minutes (see Table 2 Stage 1). This frst
The third method is used only when the speed cannot be varied and is step expels any excess grease and will alert you to potential
reerred to as high speed run-in.
TABLE 2 | Intermittent Run-in Procedure (Variable Speed)
Example: Maximum Operating Speed: 12,000 RPM
Continuous Run-in Procedure, Variable Speed
Starting Speed and Incremental Value: 12,000 ÷ 8 = 1,500

This procedure is typically done in 10 stages with each stage S PE E D 1 ,5 0 0 3 , 0 00 4, 5 00 5 , 00 0 7 ,5 0 0 9 ,0 0 0 1 0 ,5 0 0 1 2 ,0 0 0

taking up to an hour to complete. Start by dividing the fnal operating S TA GE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

speed by 10. This value gives us our frst stage running speed and CY CL E S 1 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

DURATION
becomes the incremental value or each new stage. Table 1 gives
OF CYCLES 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
(MINUTES)

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 A PU BL IC AT IO N OF NS K AM E RI CA S
problems beore they cause damage. Next, begin the process
o cycling through incremental stages until ull speed is reached
and the temperature has stabilized.
Stages two through eight are d ivided into 10 cycles, each one
minute in duration. Run the spindle up t o the target speed and hold
or 15 seconds. Stop the spindle or the remaining 40 seconds and
repeat the cycle. See Table 2 or an example on calculating
the target speed or each stage.
When 10 cycles are completed move to the next stage and start
again. As you progress through the stages, the rest period between
cycles will decrease. Figure 1 illustrates the start, run, stop and
rest phases o the one-minute cycle.
Ater complet ing th e last stage , allow t he sp indle to run at ope ratin g
speed or approximately one hour to ensure there are no problems.
See Monitoring Bearing Temperaturebeore starting run-in procedure.
FIGURE 1
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PROTECT yOUR BEARINg INvESTMENT: PROPER RUN-IN PROCEdURES hELP TO MAxIMIzE BEARINg LIFE
Continuous Run-in Procedure, High Speed
Use this method only when the equip ment speed cannot be varied
and you can closely monitor bearing temperature. Run at ull
speed or 20 seconds and stop, allowing the bearings to cool or
3-4 minutes. Repeat cycle 10 times. Next, run at ull speed or
30 seconds and allow the bearings to cool or 3-4 minutes. Repeat
cycle 10 times. Increase run time to 40, then 50 then 60 seconds,
running through each cycle 10 times and allowing the bearings
to cool 3-4 minutes ater each run. See Monitoring Bearing
Temperature beore sta rting run-in procedure.
Oil Mist and Oil Air Systems
Oil lubrication is not exempt rom run-in procedures. New equipment
and equipment let idle or long periods can be run at 1/3 o their
operating speed or 2-3 minutes beore being run up to ull
speed. This simple procedure will get rid o any excess oil built up
in the lines or has collected around the bearing. See Monitoring
Bearing Temperaturebeore starting run-in procedure.
Monitoring Bearing Temperature
Stabilizing the bearing temperature at an acceptable level is critical
to a successul run-in procedure. Beore moving to the next stage,
the temperature should be constant or dropping. I, at any time,
the bearing temperature exceeds 70°C (158°F) stop the process
and allow the bearing to cool to 40°C (104°F) beore continuing.
Ultimately, the target constant temperature, when measured at th e
housing, should be 50°C (122°F) or lo wer. Temperature rise with
cylindrical roller bearings is typically aster than ball bearings.
Do not attempt to hurry the process by blowing air over the housing
as this will cause an excessive internal preload and may damage
the bearing.
When you consider how much eort and expense goes into the
manuacture and setup o precision bearings and machine tool
spindles, it’s not surprising that a proper run-in procedure takes
time. Think o it as maximizing your returns.
For more information, please contact NSK at1.88ThinkNSK
(1.888.446.5675) or visit www.nskamericas.com 2
cas.com