The approval of bearings for mechanical transmissions is generally done through an accelerated bench test, which is based on calculated bearing life. Accelerated tests induce deformations, which would otherwise rarely result from normal use, and that reduce bearing life.
With the development of new bearing calculation programs, which are able to include such deformations, it is possible to assess the extension of the damage produced by accelerated tests, beyond that brought about by normal use. This is done examining Mean Application Torque -Ta, and by comparing % Bearing Damage, whose concepts and mathematical tools are discussed in the text.
In order to evaluate the methodology proposed, it was applied in the development of a new transmission.