Companion structures
Due to their specific load carrying capacity, Rothe Erde bearings can transmit very high loads even at relatively small diameters. The bolts provided for mounting the bearing to its companion structure must be rated accordingly.
For economic reasons, the cross sections of the bearings are kept relatively low in relation to their diameters. The bearings therefore depend on a rigid and distortion-resistent structure which to a large extent will prevent deformations in the bearings under the operating loads, provided a positive bolt connection is used.
The formation of peaks in smaller sectors has to be avoided, i.e. the curve must progress gradually, rising and falling just once in the range from 0° to 90° to 180°. Otherwise tight spots may develop in the raceway which lead to local overload.
The following pictureillustrates that the vertical support in the companion structures must be in the vicinity of the track diameter. This is in order to keep any deflection of the support surfaces under maximum operating load within the permissible limits.
Rothe Erde offers seamless rolled rings for support structures in a multitude of cross sections and profiles, unmachined or machined to customer‘s drawings which, for instance for flange ring supports (e.g. angular mounting ring, see picture below), provide decisive advantages:
- Distortion-resistant fastening of the largediameter bearing,
- Optimum load transfer between slewing bearing and companion structure.
The contact surfaces for the bearing must always be flat to prevent the bearing from becoming distorted when it is bolted down. Careful machining of the contact surfaces is, therefore, absolutely essential.
As a rule, bearings and their companion structures should be connected by means of through-bolts.