Ball bearings in anemometers – plastic makes measuring wind easy

Patrick Czaja | 8. December 2020

An anemometer is an instrument for measuring the speed of a flow field and is used primarily to determine wind speed. The cup anemometer is the most widely used type. It has a vertical axis with three or four cups to catch the wind. What are the requirements for ball bearings in anemometers?

The anemometer poses great challenges to installed bearing components. To measure even the slightest breeze, the ball bearings installed must have a very low breakaway torque so that they can easily be set in motion. It is also important that ball bearing movement not only be easy to start, but have constantly repeated dynamics as wind weakens.
 
igus’s xiros polymer ball bearings meet the requirements perfectly for use in anemometers. They are remarkable not only for their extremely easy operation, but also for the fact that they are 100% lubricant-free. So the bearings can start with a very low breakaway torque because the balls do not have to overcome the resistance of lubricant.