Image Acquisition and Image Processing Algorithms for Movement Analysis of Bearing Cages

Abstract

Movement analyses of ball bearings with regard to stable and unstable cage motion behavior are often conducted by simulations, typically by investigating the cage whirl. Some experimental studies exist in which the cage is modified in order to capture its movement with sensors. This paper presents an image-based approach for investigating the cage motion without modifications, which in turn allows a cage motion analysis of an angular contact ball bearing under operation condition. Two new image evaluation algorithms are presented in detail and their suitability is verified by experiments on a bearing test rig.