The load capacity and life expectancy of BWC ring, segment, and track systems will be determined by several
factors. These are the size of the ring and the size and number of bearing assemblies used, the presence of
lubrication, the magnitude and direction of loads, the speed of operation (see note 2, page 25), and the
length of the path traversed (see note 3, page 25).
It is usual to run systems with less than the maximum load to prolong the life, which can be calculated
using the data and formulae in this section. For calculation purposes, BWC ring slide and track systems fall
into two categories, those in which a carriage runs on a ring segment or track, and those in which a ring
rotates, captivated by a number of bearing assemblies (or a similar arrangement where the ring is
stationary and the bearing assemblies and load rotate).
Wherever possible, BWC ring and track systems should be lubricated using the BWC lubricators (see page
16). Such lubrication will greatly increase the load capacity and extend the life of the system (see tables on
pages 24 & 25 and nomograms on pages 25 & 26).