Sustainable Manufacture of Bearing Bushing Parts

Abstract

Bearing bushing parts are used to support other rotating moving parts. When these bearing bushings are made of bronze, their inner cylindrical surfaces can be finished by turning. The problem addressed in this paper was that of identifying an alternative for finishing by turning the inner cylindrical surfaces of bearing bushing parts by taking into account the specific sustainability requirements. Three alternatives for finishing turning the inner cylindrical surfaces of bearing bushings have been identified. The selection of the alternative that ensures the highest probability that the diameter of the machined surface is included in the prescribed tolerance field was made first by using the second axiom of the axiomatic design. It was thus observed that for the initial turning alternative, the probability of success assessed by using a normal distribution is 77.2%, while for the third alternative, which will correspond to a Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, the probability of success is 92.1%. A more detailed analysis was performed using the analytic hierarchy process method, taking into account distinct criteria for assessing sustainability. The criteria for evaluating the sustainability of a cutting processing process were identified using principles from the systemic analysis. The application of the analytic hierarchy process method facilitated the approach of some detailed aspects of the sustainability of the alternatives proposed for finishing by turning the inner cylindrical surfaces of bearing bushings, including by taking into account economic, social, and environmental protection requirements.