Precision Bearings Inspection and Measurement

VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators are the perfect solution for checking precision bearings.

Precision bearings provide high runout accuracy and generally need to support high rotating speeds, often in the presence of large loads. They are used in a very wide range of applications. A few examples include:

  • wind turbines
  • helicopter rotors
  • gear drives
  • crop shears
  • rolling mills
  • machine tools spindles
  • other machine spindles (e.g. balancing machines)
  • high speed turbochargers
  • cement crushing equipment
  • machine components for the semiconductor industry
  • etc…

Precision bearings must be manufactured to very high accuracy to ensure that they provide superior rotational accuracy and consistency, minimize drag, reduce heat generation, and provide long life.

The VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator is used by manufacturers to check all types of precision bearings, directly on the shop floor. These systems are much faster and much more accurate than traditional approaches, and they eliminate operator subjectivity. The system doesn’t require any programming, so it is especially well-adapted for small lots and quick part changeover. Moreover, with an extended optical depth-of-field and Auto-Focus tool, the VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator is perfectly suited to deal with the challenges of precision bearing inspection.

Bearing gap measurements
Accurately measure all key characteristics, including roller drop, cage clearance, etc…

VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators include advanced patented and patent-pending technology, including tools to automatically measure and display deviations from a part’s nominal and quickly identify out-of-tolerance areas. The systems automatically collect measurement results, images, statistics, and other useful data for complete documentation and reporting.

The VisionGauge® OnLine software that drives the system includes an extensive set of measurement and inspection tools allowing you to quickly and easily verify with high-accuracy all required characteristics of bearings (roller drop, cage clearance, etc…). All types and sizes of bearings are supported. VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators are appropriate for both small and large parts:  You can check parts across the entire stage travel so that even large parts can be checked at high magnification, with very fine resolution.

Accurately check tapered roller bearings
Accurately check tapered roller bearings

VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators to check precision bearings are available with a variety of customizations, including horizontal and vertical configurations, multiple magnifications, extended travels, options for illumination, optional laser measurement modules, and much more. The system is a complete, drop-in replacement for traditional optical comparators, proven to increase throughput and improve accuracy in verifying your production.

verification of precision bearingsInspection and measurement of precision bearings

The system is very flexible and can be used to check different types and sizes of bearings

Highly repeatable measurement results

Much higher repeatability, directly on the shop floor!

Contact us with the details of your application to find out why the VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator is the new standard to inspect all kinds of precision bearings.

Download a .pdf version of this VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparator Application Note.

Learn more about the many applications solved with VisionGauge® Digital Optical Comparators.