Experimental Investigation for Distributed Defects in Ball Bearing Using Vibration Signature Analysis

Bearing play a pivotal role in rotating machinery. Failure analysis of the bearing is mostly studied by creation of artificial defect on various elements of the bearing and analysis is made with vibration signature tool for monitoring its condition. As localized bearing fault grows, becoming a distributed one, generate random signal with non-stationary components. In present paper effect of surface roughness on the vibration response of outer race of the ball bearing is analysed. Vibration spectrum produced by the single roughness defect under pure radial load at various locations on outer race of bearing is studied. Effect of roughness size, speed and load on the vibration response has been investigated. Results are presented in time and frequency domain. The experimental results are compared with ball pass frequency of outer race. Frequency response obtained from the experimental results is found identical with the theoretical ball pass frequency of outer race.