Research on loading parameters of roller swaging process of self-lubricating spherical plain bearings

The swaging quality of self-lubricating spherical plain bearings (SSPBs) has an important influence on the safety of the aircraft. The roller swaging process has an edge on other swaging processes in low swaging load and high swaging quality. The 3D elastic–plastic finite element model of roller swaging and push-out test were developed, and the influence of the roller swaging process loading parameters, such as the swaging time, the swaging load and the rotation speed of the roller tool on the push-out load, the gap between the flanging lip of the V-groove and the housing chamfer, and the radial displacement (the inner surface of the outer ring) after roller swaging were studied. Finally, the roller swaging test was conducted, and the test results were compared with the simulation results. The research shows that the test results are consistent with the results of the simulation model, and with the increase of the swaging time, swaging load, and rotation speed of the roller tool, the gap will be increased as well, resulting in an increase in the push-out load. However, the excessive swaging load and rotation speed of the roller tool will increase the radial displacement, which will result in a reduction in the rotation flexibility of the bearing. Under the conditions of reasonable swaging time and swaging load, a good swaging quality can be obtained by controlling reasonable rotation speed of the roller tool.