Experimental Investigation of Noise Sources in a Needle Roller Bearing System

An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine the causes of noise emission scatter in hosiery machines. Following the experimental measurement of the sound power levels, the hosiery machine’s mechanical system was assembled and tested with components of various sizes. The results indicated that the source of the noise emissions was a bearing’s outer race. Analysis of the outer race’s roundness profile in relation to vibrations provided accurate predictions of machine behavior. On the basis of a correlation between noise and vibrations, a practical method of online monitoring was developed.