Title

THE TIMKEN ADAPT™ BEARING FOR SLAB SUPPORT ROLLS IN CONTINUOUS CASTERS

THE TIMKEN ADAPT™ BEARING FOR SLAB SUPPORT ROLLS IN CONTINUOUS CASTERS

Authorship

Los, Nigel A.; Rhodes, John H.; Daberger., Georg

Los, Nigel A.

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Rhodes, John H.

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Daberger., Georg

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-20890

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Abstract

This paper describes the design, operating principles, design validation tests and field test results for a new type of bearing initially targeted for use in the float positions on slab support rolls in a continuous caster. This is an extremely challenging application for rolling element bearings. Speeds are low while loads are high. Misalignment capability of up to 0.5° is required and float positions must be able to accommodate roll axial growth of up to 6 mm due to the thermal operating conditions. While spherical roller bearings [SRB] perform well in fixed positions, the float position continues to be a challenge. Attempted solutions to date have included an SRB that floats in its housing, cylindrical roller bearings [CRB] with aggressive profiles, CRBs incorporated within a spherical bushing and toroidal roller bearings. All of these solutions have met with some degree of success but all have had limitations or disadvantages too. The Adapt bearing was designed specifically to address the limitations of the existing designs and is a completely new bearing configuration. The bearing offers the axial float capability of a CRB and similar misalignment capability to a SRB. This is accomplished in a typical bearing assembly of two rings and a complement of rollers. A key feature is that the two capabilities are independent of each other i.e. axial float does not affect the bearings ability to misalign and viceversa. Handling and installation can be facilitated by the separable inner-ring and by the unitized roller and retainer assembly.

This paper describes the design, operating principles, design validation tests and field test results for a new type of bearing initially targeted for use in the float positions on slab support rolls in a continuous caster. This is an extremely challenging application for rolling element bearings. Speeds are low while loads are high. Misalignment capability of up to 0.5° is required and float positions must be able to accommodate roll axial growth of up to 6 mm due to the thermal operating conditions. While spherical roller bearings [SRB] perform well in fixed positions, the float position continues to be a challenge. Attempted solutions to date have included an SRB that floats in its housing, cylindrical roller bearings [CRB] with aggressive profiles, CRBs incorporated within a spherical bushing and toroidal roller bearings. All of these solutions have met with some degree of success but all have had limitations or disadvantages too. The Adapt bearing was designed specifically to address the limitations of the existing designs and is a completely new bearing configuration. The bearing offers the axial float capability of a CRB and similar misalignment capability to a SRB. This is accomplished in a typical bearing assembly of two rings and a complement of rollers. A key feature is that the two capabilities are independent of each other i.e. axial float does not affect the bearings ability to misalign and viceversa. Handling and installation can be facilitated by the separable inner-ring and by the unitized roller and retainer assembly.

Keywords

Caster; Segment; Bearing; Roll.

Caster; Segment; Bearing; Roll.