Detection of Incipient Failure of Rolling Element bearings by Vibration Analysis (Case Study)

Conveyor belts play an important role in the mining industry and processing factories; therefore, it is essential to maintain them and prevent their sudden cessation. Consequently, in recent years, condition monitoring of these devices applying vibration analysis help diagnose defective rota-tional components such as bearings in the early stages of defect. In this study, the driving bear-ing drums of conveyor belt number 9 of Sarcheshmeh copper complex have been investigated using vibration analysis. Due to the low speed of these bearings, it is difficult to identify defects in them. The results show that, visual observations after bearing replacement correspond to vi-brational analysis. Also, wear on the outer ring & bearing failure patterns indicate that a pivot force is exerted on the bearing due to the deflection of the belt from the centre of the drum. The force created by the deflection of the belt from the center of the drum to the motor image causes wear on the side edges of the outer ring. Deviation of the belt is one of the important factors in the non-uniform distribution of the applied force to the bearings and as a result, one bearing is damaged sooner than the other.