Application of turntable bearings in shield tunneling machines

Mar 15, 2024

As indispensable and important equipment in modern tunnel engineering, the shield machine's efficient and stable working status has a decisive impact on the progress and quality of tunnel construction. The performance of the turntable bearing is crucial for the overall performance and service life of the shield machine.

1. Structural characteristics and working principles of slewing bearings

Slewing bearings are special bearings that can withstand large radial loads, axial loads, and overturning moments. Its structure usually consists of inner and outer rings, rolling elements, and cages. The inner and outer rings achieve relative rotation through the rolling of the rolling elements, thereby supporting the rotating part of the shield machine.

In the shield machine, the slew bearing is mainly used to connect the fixed part and the rotating part and to withstand the huge load and moment generated during the tunneling process. Its working principle is to reduce frictional resistance through the rolling of rolling elements to achieve smooth and efficient rotation.

2. Selection and design of slewing bearings in shield tunneling machines

The selection and design of slew bearings is the key to ensuring their effective application in shield tunneling machines. During the selection process, factors such as the working load, speed, working environment, and service life of the shield machine need to be comprehensively considered. At the same time, attention must also be paid to the size, accuracy, material and other requirements of the bearings to ensure that the bearings match other parts of the shield machine.

Specifically, the selection design should focus on the following aspects: First, determine the load-bearing capacity and speed range of the bearings based on the working load and speed of the shield machine; second, consider the impact of the working environment and select a bearing with good wear resistance and durability. Bearing materials with corrosion properties should also be selected. Finally, according to the service life requirements of the shield machine, select a bearing type with a longer service life.

3. Installation and maintenance of turntable bearings in shield tunneling machines

Correct installation and maintenance are crucial to ensure the normal operation of slew bearings in shield tunneling machines. During the installation process, it is necessary to ensure the matching accuracy of the bearings and other parts of the shield machine to avoid performance degradation caused by installation errors. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the lubrication and sealing of the bearings to prevent failures caused by poor lubrication or loose sealing.

It is imperative to conduct regular and thorough maintenance and inspection of bearings to detect and address any potential issues promptly. By implementing this practice, you can guarantee that your bearings are functioning at their best and significantly decrease the likelihood of any unexpected breakdowns or failures. Don't let a preventable issue bring your operations to a halt - prioritize optimal bearing performance and reliability. It includes checking the bearings' operating conditions, lubrication status, wear degree, etc., and performing operations such as cleaning, lubricating oil replacement, or repair and replacement as necessary. In addition, attention must be paid to the storage and custody of bearings to avoid performance degradation or damage caused by environmental factors.

4. Challenges and future development of slewing bearings in the application of shield tunneling machines

Although slewing bearings are widely used in shield tunneling machines, they still face some challenges in practical applications. For example, in a working environment of high load and high speed, the wear and failure rate of bearings is relatively high; at the same time, the working environment of a shield machine is usually harsh, which puts forward higher requirements for corrosion resistance and wear resistance of bearings.

In order to overcome these challenges, the future application of slewing ring bearings in shield tunneling machines will develop in the following directions: first, develop new high-performance bearing materials to improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the bearings; second, optimize the bearing structure design to reduce the cost of the bearings. The friction resistance and temperature rise can be reduced to improve the load-bearing capacity and service life of the bearings; the third is to strengthen research on intelligent monitoring and maintenance technology of bearings to achieve real-time monitoring of bearing status and fault warning and to improve the operating efficiency and safety of the shield machine.

The application of slew bearings in shield tunneling machines is an important research direction in tunnel construction. Through in-depth discussions on their structural characteristics, working principles, selection and design, installation and maintenance, and future development, we can better understand their role and value. As science and technology advance, slew bearings in shield machines will provide better support for tunnel construction.

In short, as a key component of the shield machine, the turntable bearing's performance is directly related to its overall performance and service life. Therefore, we need to strengthen the research and application of slew bearings continuously, promote their development and innovation in shield tunneling machines, and contribute more to the development of the tunnel construction field.