Bearing Inspection

Bearing failure analysis and metallurgical testing

RCF and dynamic life cycle testing

Impact and static load testing

Bearing stress analysis

Source qualification inspection (SQI)

Environmental testing

Active bearing test rigs.

The dimensional inspection program offers a vast characteristic analysis and overview of the bearing. Dimensional inspection can determine if a manufacturer’s standard product meets higher standards of the ABEC. UNASIS is equipped to handle all bearing inspection requirements. Inspections can include, but are not restricted to:

• Radial Clearance
• Running Accuracy
• Surface Contours
• Surface Finish
• True Position of mounting holes
• Boundary Dimensions
• Contact Angle
• Endplay
• Paired Bearing Preload/Endplay
• Raceway Curvature

Bearing failure analysis provides customers with a cohesive analysis of why a bearing failed in application. Via an extensive failure analysis UNASIS has the ability to determine if the problem is unrelated to the bearing and specific to the system. Our microscopic capability and sophisticated dimensional equipment allows our engineers to accurately identify the condition of the product and its wear characteristics.  In-depth reports that are provided by our failure analysis program have aided in successfully helping many industries identify failure characteristics and mitigate failure re-occurrence. The Failure Analysis Request Form outlines the process for appropriate investigation during disassembly and packaging for shipment.

One of the most comprehensive programs that we offer at UNASIS is the reverse engineering of Typed Certified aircraft ball and roller bearings for OMA-FAA Certification. Suppliers and manufacturers of bearings that were not originally integrated into an aircraft at the time of original design must seek to obtain and independent PMA from the FAA.

PMA FAA bearing reverse engineering is a method to ensure that any commercial aircraft bearing replacements either meet or exceed the same design, quality, and performance standards of those that were originally required. A team of highly skilled and experienced engineers and technicians perform a thorough evaluation of aircraft bearings, using specialised equipment and data analysing tools to support these requirements. The end product results in a highly in-depth analysis that provides aerospace bearing manufactures and suppliers with all the required PMA-FAA certification inspection data, as well as the added benefit of knowing that bearing manufacturing adheres to or exceeds supplier standard for form, fit and function.

Our professionally trained bearing engineers and technicians will perform a thorough physical evaluation of OEM bearing providing you with all necessary inspection data for FAA approval and product manufacturing that meets or exceeds OEM standards for form, fit and function. Our experience and sophisticated equipment provides you with accurate and detailed inspection data leading to your PMA approval.

Metallurgical evaluation and testing is standard as a part of many of our inspection programs to ensure that bearings perform to requirements and expectations. Any bearings that have not been inspected or tested properly for material conformance stand in high risk for premature failure which could lead to devastating consequences that can become incredibly costly.

Standard evaluations include:

• Hardness
• Magnetic Particle Inspection
• Material Chemistry
• Microstructure
• SEM/EDS Analysis
• Surface Temper Inspection
• X-Ray Diffraction

An FAI is a design verification, design history file, and valid methods of providing a reported measurement for a manufacturing process provided. The method of evaluation consists of comparing the bearing manufacturer’s results by measuring the geometry and properties of an initial sample against provided drawings and specifications independently. Details and dimensions that are verified and check vary depending on the requirement, but may include, colour, distances between edges, weight, shapes and diameters of holes, position of holes, hardness, and surface finish.

Although the name may be deceiving, the FAI may not be the ‘first’ produced, but a small sample of 3 parts from the first initial lot that were provided to the customer. FAI is usually called in for a purchase order contract between the bearing manufacturer and the customer of the manufactured article, both perform an FAI to ensure that the production process can reliably produce what is intended and is part of the print and design verification and control requirements.

The FAI and its importance have been overlooked in recent years by some bearing manufacturing plants. This is the result of plants attempting to streamline their services to customers, meaning that they have essentially limited their capacity to perform the FAI’s necessary for certain order applications. UNASIS recognizes that this is a need and is capable of performing FAI’s to customer specifications and/or AS9102 standards, and can include material specifications and special process accountability.