Method of and apparatus for preloading an anti-friction bearing

A method of assembling an anti-friction bearing having a preload within a predetermined range, said bearing including a plurality of rolling members, and a pair of race members having raceways in opposing relationship for retaining said rolling members, comprising the steps of:

• (a) fitting the rolling members within the raceways in rolling relationship therebetween;
• (b) translating one race member relative to the opposing race member in an operational direction of travel;
• (c) measuring a bearing preload between said race members and comparing said measurement with the predetermined preload;
• (d) applying a compressive force to at least one of said race members if the measured preload is not within the predetermined preload range;
• (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) if necessary until the measured preload is within said predetermined range;
• and
• (f) securing the race members in registered orientation to maintain the measured preload.

A method of assembling with a predetermined preload a linear anti-friction bearing of the type having a plurality of rolling members, and an inner race member and a pair of outer race members having raceways in opposing relationship to the raceways of the inner race member, comprising the steps of:

• (a) fitting together the inner race member, the outer race members, and the rolling members in rolling relationship therebetween;
• (b) translating the inner race member relative to the outer race member in a substantially straight line motion therebetween;
• (c) measuring a bearing preload between the race members and comparing said measurement with the predetermined preload;
• (d) applying a compressive force to one of said outer race members in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the inner race member if the measured preload is less than the predetermined preload;
• (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) if necessary until the measured preload is within said predetermined range;
• and
• (f) securing the race members in registered orientation to maintain the measured preload.

A method of assembling an anti-friction rotary bearing having a preload within a predetermined preload range, said bearing including a plurality of rolling members, and an inner race member and an outer race member having raceways in opposing relationship therebetween, comprising the steps of:

• (a) fitting together the inner race member, the outer race member, and the rolling members in rolling relationship therebetween;
• (b) rotating the inner race member relative to the outer race member in a curvilinear motion therebetween;
• (c) measuring a bearing preload between the race members and comparing said measurement with the predetermined preload;
• (d) applying a compressive force to the outer race member in a substantially radially inward direction toward the inner race member if the measured preload is not within the predetermined preload range;
• (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) if necessary until the measured preload is within said predetermined range;
• and
• (f) securing the race members in registered orientation to maintain the measured preload.

An apparatus for preloading within a predetermined range of friction characteristics a linear anti-friction bearing of the type having a plurality of rolling members, an inner race member, and a pair of outer race members having raceways in opposing relationship to the raceways of the inner race member, comprising:

• a pair of retaining blocks having precision-faced surfaces for receiving in nesting relationship the corresponding outer faces of the outer race members, at least one of said blocks being adjustable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the inner race member;
• means for applying a measured compressive force to one of said precision blocks in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the inner race member;
• means for applying a measured test force to the inner race member in a direction substantially parallel to the constrained direction of travel of the inner race member within the bearing;
• means for measuring a set of friction characteristics of the inner race member within the bearing corresponding to the applied test force and compressive force;
• means for comparing the set of measured friction characteristics with the predetermined range of friction characteristics;
• means, responsive to the comparison means, for adjusting the compressive force;
• and
• means for securing together the outer race members to maintain the measured preloaded configuration.