BULETINUL INSTITUTULUI POLITEHNIC DIN IAŞI

Publicat de
Universitatea Tehnică „Gh. Asachi“, Iaşi,
Tomul LIV (LVIII), Fasc. 3, 2008
Secţia
CONSTRUCŢII DE MAŞINI

CAD TOOL TO FOR EXCAVATORS SLEWING-RINGS SIZING

BY

dr. ing. Rezmires Daniel, ing. Bocanet Vasile, : S.C Sirca S.A. – Piatra Neamt
p.i. Monfardini Alfredo : S.C. Rima Spa - Italy
prof. dr. ing. : Racocea Cezar: TU “Gh Asachi” - Iasi

Abstract: During digging out, excavators’ slewing rings are quasi-statically loaded with axial, radial stresses and
bending moments. The external loads are expressed depending on the position in space of the shovel (dipper tooth) as
against the internal geometry of the slewing ring , on the functional parameters of the hydraulic system which drives
the mobile elements of the equipment as well as on the constructive ( fix and variable ) geometry of the support
system. Excavator rolling bearings sizing observe stability conditions, that is maintaining the equipment chassis in
permanent contact with the soil , and economic ones, as well.

Key words: slewing rings, excavator, serviceability, equipment hydraulics

This paper aims at presenting a method of sizing ball bearings with four contact
points used in excavators machines. Such a sizing algorithm has been conceived and
implemented within S.C. “SIRCA. S.A.” – Piatra Neamt, slewing rings manufacturer,
and “Rima Spa” – Italy, hydraulic equipment manufacturer. The program has been
developed using Borland Delphi © - software.

1. Theoretical Consideration

Generally, in sizing a slewing ring, it is necessary to check if:

• Sizes and type of material used in building the slewing rings are subject, during
operation, to contact pressures which are below the admissible load limit of the
material used [1, 2, 4];
• Truncations of contact ellipses [2,4] do not occur at the level of tribo-contacts;
• The material of the toothed ring resists to contact stresses and to bending
moments [5];
• Number of tapped holes, size and precision class of screws are well chosen and
the fastening order of screwing them up is accurate [3].

2. Logic of slewing ring programming and dimensioning

250 Rezmires Daniel, Bocanet Vasile, Monfardini Alfredo and Racocea Cezar Construcţii

The final user of the excavator slewing ring recives form Sirca and Rima an
questionnary regarding informations about:
• Constructive geometry of excavator and hydraulic equipment, as well as data
about the gear features;
• Type of loaded gear: inner or outer, angle of teeth tilt, and so on;
• Overall sizes of slewing ring, which may be imposed or proposed by the
manufacturing company.
All these are input data in the program developed for SIRCA S.A. and Rima Spa.
An interface example is shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Input data.

The input data provided by the beneficiary lead to determining the operating
coverage area of the excavator’s dipper (see Fig. 2). For all points indicateted in Fig.2
the forces and moments acting on the chassis and the slewing ring are computed
supposing a continuous digging process. When the chassis may be in danger of loosing
its grip on the soil, the algorithm restrains and indicates the maximum value of the
stress which causes instability, by a feedback which generates information on a
possible over-sizing of the hydraulic system, or a down-sizing of the chassis.
de Maşini Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, T. LIV (LVIII), Fasc.3, 2008 251

Fig. 2. Geometrical locus of active dipper teeth area.

The program draws the axial and radial stresses diagrams as well as the moment
diagram against the geometrical locus of the slewing ring which corresponds to the
operating cycles for which the equipment stability condition is met. Fig.3 shows,
cumulatively, the analysis results.

Fig. 3. Evolution of stresses and moments acting on the slewing ring, resulted in excavator stability
conditions.

Interpreting fig.3 results is relatively time-consuming, and for that reason the
data are sorted out depending on their occurrence frequency. This algorithm enables us
to approximate the loading cycles, in percentages. Fig. 4 gives the previous data
252 Rezmires Daniel, Bocanet Vasile, Monfardini Alfredo and Racocea Cezar Construcţii
expressed in percentages, taking as sorting criterion the bending moment acting on
the slewing ring.

Fig. 4. Data sorted out in order to establish loading cycles.

The analysis carried out for the case under investigation led to the conclusion that loads
/ operational cycles may be distributed according to the data presented in Table 1

Table 1. Loads distributed into operational cycles

Fax, N FradY, N FradZ, N My, Nm Mz, NM Ni Jd, mm Cycle time, % L10 / Fall
1 9.00E+04 -4.00E+04 1.30E+05 1 1.00E-01 2.0 7769.0
2 5.00E+04 -4.00E+04 8.00E+04 1 1.00E-01 47.0 25974.0
3 4.00E+04 4.00E+04 2.00E+04 1 1.00E-01 2.0 335626.0
4 8.00E+04 4.00E+04 1 1.00E-01 47.0 672299.0
5 -2.00E+04 -8.50E+04 1 1.00E-01 2.0 26802.0
Where:
• Fax – axial load
• FradY, FradZ – radial stress components
• My, Mz – moments

By using the data from Table 1 we may determine the loads distribution for a
slewing ring geometry taken as an initial one, apt to be modified along the program
running, depending on the intermediate results of the analysis. The final geometry that
results after analysis, satisfying the beneficiary’s technical specifications is indicated
as follows: material used C45N, single-row ball bearing 20 mm in diameter,
fi=fe=0.518, constructive raceway angle of 45 degrees, effective diameter 860 mm,
imposed radial clearance 0.1 mm; number of holding screws at inner ball race 32, M16,
located on a lock circle diameter of 805 mm. In the non-Hertzian analysis are
considered such geometric parameters as deiam=deiav=858 mm [2] and
deeam=deeav=862 mm [2], the oil duct semi breadth 1.5 mm, and the radius of ball
race coupling 0.4 mm [4].
This constructive solution is found taking into account the cost-product criterion, too,
the material C45N being sufficient to materialize the ball raceways. If the stresses and
moments applicable to the gear had been higher, then another material would have been
used to be toothed [5].
de Maşini Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, T. LIV (LVIII), Fasc.3, 2008 253
The calculus of serviceability according to the methodology presented above [1], taking
into account the materials characteristics ( the ball race strength is the result of operation
CIF) and the type of lubricant used provides the following information: L10 for all 5
cases is 6,84E+04 hours. Using these dates on the size of the slewing ring and the
lubricant film parameter we obtain a dimensionless coefficient of 0.1. In this case the
serviceability is estimated to be 6,84E+03 hours. For the most unfavorable loading case
the limit load chart specific to the slewing ring is plotted. [3]; for the case under
analysis, the chart is shown in Fig.5 The individual axial, radial and tilt rigidity charts
are shown in Fig.6.

Fig. 5. Limit load chart of the investigated slewing ring.

In fig. 5, Pu is the point of use for the case under consideration [3], Peq is the value of
stresses and moments affected by a safety factor established by the beneficiary, and 10.5
and 12.9 are the classes of M16 screws usable.

Fig. 6. Charts of individual rigidities.

As the point of use is within the graph, one may conclude that sizing was done
correctly.

3. Conclusions
254 Rezmires Daniel, Bocanet Vasile, Monfardini Alfredo and Racocea Cezar Construcţii

The algorithm used indicates the multitude of situations that may occur in the
dimensional designing of a slewing ring, in correlation with the working environment
and the equipment for which it is destined. The analysis stages have been presented. The
developed algorithm has the following advantages:
• Establishes maximal operational cycles for an excavator
• Establishes the outer loads that act on the slewing ring
• Ensures a feedback relation – between the hydraulics of the equipment and its
overall size leading to some constructive optimising situations
• Helps in mapping the excavator operation by using a potential system of sensors
which may be attached to the mobile effectors ensemble.

Received May 20th 2006 Technical University of Iassy

Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics

REFERENCES

1. Harris T.A. ., Rolling bearing analysis 3rd edition . John Wiley & Sons Inc., New York, 1991.
2. Rezmires, D., Research on Dynamics and Kinematics Optimization of the Spherical Roller
Bearings, Iasi, PhD Thesis, 2003 (daniel-rezmires.tripod.com)
3. http://www.rimaspa.com/
4. Rezmires D., Nelias D., Racocea C., Hertzian and Non Hertzian Contact Analysis in Ball
Bearings., The Annals of University "Dunarea de Jos" of Galati, Fascicla VII, p.105-108, 2004
5. Norme UNI pentru calculul de rezistenta al angrenajelor.

CONSIDERAŢII PRIVIND PROIECTAREA RULMENTILOT PENTRU EXCAVATOARE

(Rezumat)

In timpul operatiei de excavare rulmentii de sprijin ai excavatoarelor sunt solicitati cvasistatic cu

forte axiale, radiale si momente de incovoiere. Sarcinile externe sunt exprimate functie de pozitia spatiala a
elementului de atac (dintii cupei) raportata la centrul geometric al rulmentului, de parametrii functionali ai
sistemului hidraulic care antreneaza in miscare elementele mobile ale utilajului, cat si de geometria
constructiva (fixa sau variabila) a sistemului de sprijin. Dimensionarea rulmentilor pentru excavatoare ia in
considerare respectarea conditiilor de stabilitate, adica de pastrarare a contactului permanent dintre sasiul
utilajului si sol cat si conditii de natura economica.