Product Details

This apparatus is designed to study the frictional behavior and lubrication principles of a journal bearing, allowing students to analyze how factors like load, rotational speed, and lubricant temperature affect the formation of a hydrodynamic film and the resulting friction. It provides a practical method for observing the transition from boundary to hydrodynamic lubrication. The unit features a motor-driven steel journal that rotates within a freely movable bearing housing. A mechanical lever system applies variable loads using calibrated weights, while a continuous drip system supplies lubricant whose temperature is monitored. The rotational speed is adjustable and displayed on an LCD, enabling precise control and measurement of operating conditions to study their impact on frictional moment. Its primary application is in mechanical engineering education for teaching tribology and machine design. The key benefit is the hands-on investigation of bearing performance, enabling students to visualize how a stable lubricant film develops under different parameters, understand the relationship between viscosity and friction, and grasp the design considerations for efficient and durable bearing operation in machinery.