摘要 |
A method of setting a desired axial preload FP in a bearing arrangement by selecting a shim that will generate the desired preload at a predetermined axial force FA applied by a clamping element, such as a locknut. The method comprises steps of: (a) mounting a reference shim, having a known thickness t, and preloading the bearing arrangement using the shim, by applying the predetermined axial force FA; (b) measuring the actual preload of the bearing arrangement Factual; and (c) constructing an analytical model that defines a correlation between bearing preload and applied axial force on the bearing arrangement, for a plurality of different shims, whereby each shim in the plurality of shims is defined in terms of an initial axial gap δ between the shim and an axially displaceable bearing ring of the bearing arrangement, and in terms of a certain clamping force at which the gap becomes zero. |