Determination of ball bearing contact angle using a scanning acoustic microscope

A technique that allows the direct determination of the position and shape of the region of a ball contact with a ball bearing rim with the use of a scanning acoustic microscope is presented. Based on these data, such important ball bearing parameters as the contact angle and geometrical characteristics of the race of a ball bearing rim can be calculated. The introduction of measuring complexes based on the developed technique will allow a substantial increase in the lifetime, reliability, and competitiveness of manufactured angular-contact ball bearings. The results of the laboratory tests can be used for developing new ball bearings that are characterized by better consumer properties.