Assessment of the impact of 3D printed water-lubricated cutless bearings material on vibration parameters

Abstract

The tested bearings were subjected to equal loads and rotational speeds, using water as the lubricant. Analysis showed that they achieved the best vibration damping at lower speeds, between 600 and 1100 rpm. Comparative studies of bearings made of different materials, such as available on the market bearings  made of rubber, bearings printed with a 3D printer from PETG, PLA, ABS or Tribo filament materials, revealed differences in their vibration damping ability and operational stability. Conclusions from the study suggest that higher vibration acceleration may increase the radius of the trajectory, which may affect the function and performance of the bearings. The importance of the operational stability of water-lubricated plain bearings cannot be assessed solely on the basis of the RMS of vibration acceleration or trajectory radius. Both of these parameters are crucial from the user's point of view, especially in the context of various applications such as electric boats.