Bearings

Bearings reduce friction between two objects, which allows moving parts to run smoother. Bearings are divided into two main categories: thrust bearings and radial bearings. Thrust bearings support axial loads, which are parallel to the axis of rotation, while radial bearings support turning shafts perpendicular to the axis of rotation.Depending on the application, there is a wide range of bearings to choose from. Common types of bearings include ball bearings, split bearings, and roller bearings.Bearings are also available in mounted, unmounted, and flange styles. Ball bearings are the most common type of bearing and are used in applications requiring support of smaller loads.Split bearings are ideal for hard-to-reach places and quick installation while roller bearings are suitable for heavier loads.Roller bearings are generally available in three styles: tapered roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings. Key elements to consider when selecting bearings are outer diameter and the shaft diameter the bearing will fit.
 

BALL BEARINGS

Ball bearings reduce friction between shafts and axles and carry radial loads, thrust loads, or a combination of both. They contain an outer ring, inner ring, and a cage that holds and spaces bearing balls, the bearing’s spherical rolling elements. These bearing balls must be perfectly rounded and spaced to prevent friction and bearing failure. Ball bearings come in single- and double-row configurations depending on the type and direction of loads they carry. There are many types of ball bearings. Ball thrust bearings only carry axial loads, while angular contact ball bearings support both thrust and radial loads. The radial load an angular contact ball bearing can support is directly proportionate to the axial load it can support. Self-aligning ball bearings compensate for improper bearing mounting that leads to misalignment. Thin-section ball bearings are used in small spaces that have weight restrictions.

 

ROLLER BEARINGS

Roller bearings are a type of bearing that use rolling elements to support loads and reduce friction. As opposed to ball bearings, roller bearings have barrel-shaped rolling elements instead of spherical balls. They are capable of supporting heavier loads than similarly sized ball bearings but cannot handle as high of speeds as ball bearings. Roller bearings contain an inner and outer ring that house the rollers and bearing cage. Also known as a retainer or separator, the cage maintains spacing between rollers and holds the bearing together. There are a wide range of roller bearings, each with different designs used in varying applications. Cylindrical, spherical, tapered, and needle are the four primary types of roller bearings. Cylindrical roller bearings handle high radial loads and low thrust loads at high speeds. They also accommodate fast acceleration. Spherical roller bearings contain two rings on the inner raceway to handle a variety of loads and misalignment concerns. The rollers share a single sphered outer ring. With two rows of spherical, barrel-shaped rollers, spherical roller bearings can withstand heavy radial loads and certain axial loads in both directions. They are self-aligning to handle shaft misalignment and mounting problems. Tapered roller bearings contain tapered inner and outer raceways and rollers to accommodate simultaneous radial and thrust loads. Providing true rolling motion and low friction, tapered roller bearings are ideal for supporting heavy combined loads. Needle roller bearings use long, thin cylindrical rollers to support radial loads. Featuring a thinner cross section than other roller bearings, needle roller bearings are ideal in situations that require high load-carrying capacities within a limited space.

​

CAM FOLLOWER, YOKE ROLLERS & MOTION CONTROL BEARINGS

Yoke rollers and motion control bearings provide a low-cost and easily-mounted solution for applications that require linear movement or the translation of rotary motion to axial motion. Given the accuracy seen with yoke rollers and motion control bearings, the bearings can mount in multiples with distributed load sharing. The yoke rollers and motion control bearings have a corrosion-resistant finish on all external surfaces. Applications for yoke rollers and motion control bearings include packaging, power generation, food processing, conveyors, and wastewater treatment plants.

​

THRUST BEARINGS

Thrust bearings include a broad range of bearings that accommodate axial loads. Also referred to as axial force, thrust is parallel to the axis of rotation. Depending on the application, there are many types and variations of thrust bearings. Ball thrust bearings effectively withstand pure thrust loads. The two rings, also called washers or washer seats, often feature grooves to allow for higher load capacities. Flat-race bearings typically have lower limiting speeds than grooved-race bearings. Ball thrust bearings are available in single- or dual-direction designs. Aligning seat washers correct initial assembly misalignments. Hydrodynamic thrust bearings act on pressurized fluid and facilitate motion in a wide range of heavy-duty industrial equipment. Fixed and tilting-pad hydrodynamic thrust bearings may be used in hydroelectric turbines and generators.

​

MOUNTED BEARINGS, HOUSINGS & INSERTS

Insert bearings have the versatility to match the needs of agriculture, industrial manufacturing, food processing, construction, and the textile industry. The bearings consist of a single-row, deep groove ball bearing that has a spherical outside diameter and extended inner ring. Insert bearings mount in a pillow block housing, bearing block, take-up bearings or a flanged housing. Different locking methods such as set screws and locking eccentric collars--ensure accurate shaft mounting while a range of mounting configurations allow uses in different industries. Some applications may require the use of an additional adapter, lock-nut, or shoulder.

Hablamos Español en Nuestra Division Export Latinoamérica.