3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
(OP)
Hi,
I am just looking for some information to see if anyone has any experience in using 3D printed PEEK Bearing Cages. we have just had a client that asked us to Print some off so i am wondering if anyone has any experience with this.
I am just looking for some information to see if anyone has any experience in using 3D printed PEEK Bearing Cages. we have just had a client that asked us to Print some off so i am wondering if anyone has any experience with this.





RE: 3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
RE: 3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
RE: 3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
When you say that your printers have an accuracy of "XY 11 μm / Z 2 μm" is that the positional accuracy or the actual capability of a printed part? If that is what you can actually hold on a part, then you shouldn't have any real problems with the dimensional tolerances of a retainer.
Aidan McAllister
Metallurgical Engineer
RE: 3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
RE: 3D printing PEEK Bearing Cages
You did not mention the type or size of your bearing(s), or the application they will be used for. But here is an example of tolerances used for the critical features of a good quality (ABEC 5) commercial cylindrical roller bearing retainer:
- bearing size (mm): 100 x 140 x 20
- roller size (mm): 12 x 12
- roller qty: 24
- retainer pocket axial clearance (in.): .0076 to .0136
- retainer pocket circumferential clearance (in.): .0046 to .0106
- retainer pocket positional tolerance (in.): .010 @ MMC
- surface roughness of retainer pocket faces and land surfaces: 32 microinch Ra
- retainer land surface diameter tolerance (in.): +/- .004
Below is a picture of a couple different injection molded polymer retainers. You can clearly see the precision features and excellent surface quality. You can also see some very fine features like the retention tabs that might be hard to produce with a 3D printing process.
Hope that helps.