Increasing operation capacity for spherical bearing of indexing spatial mechanism under load

Abstract

Abstract Indexing rotary mechanism is widely used in automatic machines. There are studies of such mechanism kinematics showing its effectiveness. The undertaken strength studies demonstrate the ability of the mechanism to operate under specified loads. Actual tests performed on prototypes exposed inoperativeness of the spherical bearing, namely jamming, under the load. The current work analyzes the failure of the spherical bearing. Factors affecting the jamming are determined as well. Such factors are forces at engagement and the friction forces at spherical surfaces contact. Structural provisions are proposed and considered to solve the issue of jamming and provide the mechanism normal operation.