Precision bearing manufacturer Schaeffler has released a revised and updated version of its popular bearing design calculation software, BEARINX. BEARINX version 10 now includes an expanded range of calculation tools for rolling bearings, including the option of taking gearing into detailed consideration. OptiKit, a universal component for the optimisation of any desired parameters, is also included. Input dialogs have also been reorganised for ease of use, and extensive developments have been made in terms of bearing selection. The recently launched TORB range of toroidal roller bearings has also been integrated. These bearings combine the angular adjustment capabilities of a spherical roller bearing with the axial displacement of a cylindrical or needle roller bearing. The bearing selection function now also includes the option of freely combining different rows of rolling elements in a single bearing. This will be of interest to those designing, for example, asymmetrical double-row bearings, which must support high but different axial loads in both directions. BEARINX is a high performance bearing design calculation tool, which Schaeffler also provides to its engineers worldwide for designing and configuring bearings for complex machines and systems. Since many customers wish to design their own applications, customer versions of BEARINX are also available. These comprise individual calculation modules taken from the full version of the software, which are made available to customers to allow them to have in-depth involvement in the early stages of the product development process. The BEARINX range includes the BEARINX-online Easy modules, the BEARINX-online calculations for Schaeffler customers, sales partners and universities, and BEARINX-VIP as a local version for development partners. The BEARINX customer versions utilise a bearing database in which all of the catalogue bearings from Schaeffler are stored. The bearings’ internal component data are stored invisibly and taken into consideration during the rating life calculation. Calculation results are therefore significantly better than those of a bearing approximation, since the profile data of both the raceways and the rolling elements are taken into consideration. Low cost BEARINX modules The issue of cost also makes the customer versions very interesting. With more than 12,000 registered users, the BEARINX-online Easy series, which is currently available on the Internet, has the largest customer group. The BEARINX-online modules that are subject to a user agreement have also been well received – Schaeffler customers only pay a one-off fee during their introduction to the program. However, universities can also use BEARINX-online free of charge in their teaching programmes. BEARINX-online Easy for everybody The calculation modules in the Easy series have the same structure as the assistants in the full version of the program and, after initial registration, are available free on the Internet. The increasing number of users is proof of their popularity. The BEARINX-online Easy series currently includes the following modules: BEARINX-online Easy Linear; BEARINX-online Easy Friction; BEARINX-online Easy Linear System; BEARINX-online Easy Ballscrew; BEARINX-online Easy RopeSheave; and BEARINX-online Easy EMachine. BEARINX-online for customers, sales partners and universities The BEARINX-online calculations are taken from the system level of the full version and provide selected customers with an additional range of calculation and analysis options: BEARINX-online Shaft Calculation; BEARINX-online Spindle Calculation; and BEARINX-online Linear Calculation. The use of these modules is contractually regulated and the introduction includes a training course and a one-off fee. There are no license or maintenance fees. The calculations are carried out online, so the customer does not have to carry out any installation. Customers receive their access data (login name and password) once the user agreement has been concluded, and can then develop their own calculation models for their shaft systems and analyse the different bearing supports that are possible. For more information, please contact Schaeffler UK’s Communications & Marketing Department on [email protected].