ABSTRACT
Nosing is a cold metal-forming process used for the manufacture of self-lubricating plain spherical bearings. This process ensures the outer race sleeve conforms to the shape of the inner ball race, with a lubricating composite liner in-between. The outer race, or sleeve, is subject to large plastic deformation during the nosing process. These bearings must be precision engineered due to the large forces and demanding environments they operate within, yet many companies are still heavily reliant on empirical data and experience to support product and process development. The work reported here focusses on the characterisation of the strain-rate sensitivity of the bearing sleeve materials, their pressure versus friction relationship during processing, the key geometric relationships of the sleeve component features and the stochastic finite-element modelling approach. Experimental validation supports the predictions made leading to an enhanced modelling environment for the process.
