Types of bearing

In both light-duty and industrial equipment, bearings play an essential role, be it a small hospital stretcher or a giant power plant.

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Bearings come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Let’s talk about a sliding door as an example. There is no possibility of lifting or removing the door from its place, right? Slipping is all it takes to open it. Bearings limit the movement to sliding motion. As the range of bearing types continues to grow, selecting the right one for your specific application has become a hard task. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of bearings, their characteristics, and how to choose the best one based on your system's requirements.

What is a Bearing?

Bearings are machine's joints, in other words. They are used to support, guide, and bear the load transferred from the shaft to the frame from the shaft. A bearing is a vital part of the machinery industry and a widely used and strictly required component. This is the part of the machine that is responsible for supporting the rotating shaft and the movable part. It also relies on the rolling body to achieve rotation.

What Is the Purpose of Bearings?

Bearings are used to prevent metal-to-metal contact between two elements in relative motion. Ultimately, this prevents friction, heat generation, and wear and tear on parts. Additionally, It provides stability, precision, and reliability to mechanical systems while minimizing noise and vibration, and reduces energy consumption by replacing sliding motion with low-friction rolling motion.

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So, basically the main purpose of bearing is mentioned below:

● Reduce Friction:?By reducing friction, bearings ensure smoother and more efficient movement between two surfaces.

● Support Loads:?Bearings support radial loads as well as axial loads, spreading forces evenly across surfaces.

● Ensure Precision and Stability:?Bearings contribute to consistent and reliable performance in mechanical systems by ensuring accurate alignment and movement.

Benefits of Using Bearings in Mechanical Systems

There are several advantages to using the correct bearing in your mechanical system:

● Reduction of friction and wear

● Facilitation of smooth and efficient motion

● Support of heavy loads and shock loads

● Minimization of noise and vibration

● Extended life span

Types of Mechanical Systems that Use Bearings

There are many mechanical systems that use bearings, including:

● Automotive and transportation

● Aerospace and aviation

● Industrial machinery and equipment

● Consumer products such as household appliances, bicycles, and roller skates, etc.

● Medical devices like MRI machines, surgical tools, and diagnostic devices.

Common Bearing Design Features

Bearings come in many different types, but they all share some common design features that assist them in completing their tasks:

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● Inner and outer rings

● Rolling elements (balls or rollers)

● Cage or retainer to keep rolling elements spaced evenly

● Seal or shield to protect against contaminants

How Bearing Works?

It is for this reason that the bearing uses a relative construction: the ball surface is driven by the driving force of the load weight. However, the power is affected by different measures in the same way.

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With the different bearings on the bearings in the wheel, sliding on the bearings and pushing them in the direction of rolling or rolling obviously affects the bearings differently. The entire process of carrying (loading) the tire onto it (like putting the tire on a child) needs to be done with full force (on the tire). Which is called thrust.

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It is possible to find bearings designed to handle radial loads, thrust loads, or a combination of both. Due to the fact that different applications require bearings designed to handle varying loads and heavier weights, bearing types differ based on the type of load and the weight that can be borne by them.

Type of Bearings and Characteristics

Bearings come in several types, each designed for a specific application and offering unique characteristics. If you’re wondering “What are the different types of bearings?” then, this guide is for you!

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The following is a list of the most commonly used types of bearings, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

Deep groove Ball Bearings

Characteristics of deep groove ball bearings:

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1. Simple structure, low manufacturing costs, ease of manufacturing.

2. High speed and low friction coefficient.

3. These bearings are primarily used for bearing radial loads, but due to their angular contact design, they can also withstand two directions of alternating axial loads.

4. It has more steel plate stamped wave-shaped cage, large vehicle metal solid cage.

5. They are the most common rolling bearings, are widely used, highly durable, and do not require frequent maintenance.

6. Alignment ability changes the size range and form in a variety of ways.

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Advantages:

● Suitable for both radial and axial loads.

● Low friction, making them highly efficient.

● Can operate at high speeds.

● Simple and cost-effective to manufacture.

Disadvantages:

● Limited load capacity compared to other types of bearings.

● Sensitive to misalignment, which can cause premature wear.

Applications: The deep groove ball bearing is commonly used in electric motors, household appliances, automotive systems, as well as industrial machinery.

Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Characteristics of cylindrical roller bearings:

1. In this case, heavy loads and shock loads can be absorbed by the rollers because they are in linear contact with the raceway.

2. Compared to deep groove ball bearings, it has a low friction coefficient, which makes it suitable for high speed operations.

3. A cylindrical roller bearing of the N-type or NU-type is able to move axially, so they can accommodate various needs of the thermal expansion or installation error caused by the shaft and the housing relative position changes, can be used to support the free end.

4. For shafts or base holes, there are high processing requirements, to strictly control the relative deviation of the outer ring axis caused by bearing installation, avoiding the concentration of contact stress.

5. Bearings can be disassembled and installed by separating the inner rings and outer rings.

Advantages:

● High radial load-carrying capacity.

● Suitable for high-speed applications.

● Can accommodate slight misalignment.

Disadvantages:

● Poor axial load capacity.

● Sensitive to contamination and require regular maintenance.

Applications: Cylindrical roller bearings are widely used in gearboxes, pumps, and heavy machinery.

Tapered Roller Bearings

Characteristics of tapered roller bearings:

1. These Bearings have tapered inner and outer rings, and their rollers are round table-shaped. It can withstand heavy combined radial and axial loads as well as axial loads. As the contact angle increases, the axial bearing capacity increases.

2. Bearings with tapered rollers come in single-row, double-row, and four-row configurations, among others. Bearings of this type also use imperial series products.

3. Tapered roller bearings are now designed with stronger structures, longer diameter rollers, longer length rollers, more rollers, and convex rollers, which improve capacity and service life. Rollers have spherical and conical contacts, which improve lubrication.

Advantages:

● Suitable for radial and axial loads combined.

● Capacity to carry heavy loads.

● When properly maintained, it has a long service life.

Disadvantages:

● Costlier and more complex design.

● Requires careful installation and alignment.

Applications: Agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, and automotive wheel hubs use tapered roller bearings.

Thrust Ball Bearings

Characteristics of thrust ball bearings:

1.nbsp;The thrust ball are separable bearings, with a contact angle of 90°, which can be mounted separately and can only withstand axial load.

2.nbsp;Low limit speed. Steel ball plus centrifugal force squeezed to the outside of the raceway, easy to abrasion, but not suitable for high-speed operation.

3.nbsp;The one-way bearing can withstand one-way axial load, the two-way bearing can withstand two-way axial load.

4.nbsp;With spherical seat ring thrust ball bearings with spherical alignment performance, can eliminate the impact of installation errors.

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Advantages:

● High axial load capacity.

● Low friction and heat generation.

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Disadvantages:

● Not suitable for radial loads.

● Limited speed capacity.

Applications: Thrust ball bearings are used in applications such as automotive steering systems, clutches, and precision machinery.

Needle Roller Bearings

Characteristics:

Needle roller bearings have long, thin rolling elements, which allow them to handle high radial loads in a compact design.

Advantages:

● Compact and lightweight.

● High radial load-carrying capacity.

● Suitable for limited-space applications.

Disadvantages:

● Limited axial load capacity.

● Requires precise lubrication.

Plain Bearings

1. Characteristics: Plain bearings, also known as bushings, do not have rolling elements. Instead, they rely on sliding motion between two surfaces. Plain bearings are the simplest form of bearing with no rolling elements, just a cylindrical bore to hold the shaft or similar components.

2. Plain bearings stabilize heavy radial and axial loads and reduce friction. Therefore, plain bearings like brass or hard polymers require low-friction materials.

3. They can be both lubricated and dry types.

4. The plain bearings are also available as cylindrical bearings, thrust washer bearings, and flanged bearings. To further reduce friction, bearings may also include grooves, holes, notches, and tabs in their contact surfaces.

Advantages:

● Simple and cost-effective design.

● Capable of handling heavy loads.

● Suitable for harsh environments.

Disadvantages:

● Higher friction compared to rolling-element bearings.

● Requires continuous lubrication.

Applications: Plain bearings are used in hydraulic systems, heavy machinery, and construction equipment.

Magnetic Bearings

Characteristics:

1. With magnetic bearings, there is no mechanical contact between the rotor and the ball, plain, and oil film bearings.

2. Especially suitable for high-speed, vacuum, ultra-clean, and other special environments due to low mechanical wear, low energy consumption, low noise, long life, and no lubrication.

3. In addition to machining, turbomachinery, aerospace, vacuum technology, rotor dynamics identification, and testing, it is widely used in many other industries.

Advantages:

● No friction or wear due to the lack of contact.

● Capable of operating at extremely high speeds.

● Suitable for environments with no lubrication.

Disadvantages:

● Complex design and high cost.

● Requires a power supply and control system.

Applications: Magnetic bearings are used in applications such as turbochargers, flywheel energy storage systems, and high-speed industrial machines.

How To Choose Different Types Of Bearings?

Selecting the right bearing for your system requires careful consideration of several key factor, here’s what you can look while choosing bearing for your mechanical machinery:

1. Load Capacity

To begin with, you need to consider the bearing's load-handling capacity. To gauge the load capacity, it often includes axial, radial, or combined loads (moments). It is important that the capacity of the device matches the application's requirements. For example, heavy-duty appliances like washing machines or power tools require bearings with high load capacities.

2. Speed and Precision

A high-speed shaft or rotor cannot be supported by any of the bearings. Bearings with thin sections support very low rotational speeds, while bearings with rollers and deep grooves can operate at high rotational speeds.

Additionally, you can refer to the ISO 15312?standard for "bearing speed guidelines"?in order to determine which bearing will match the intended speed.

3. Operating Environment

Bearings are also selected based on the operating environment, such as moisture, dust, chemical exposure, temperature, and stress. Marine applications, for instance, may require high-quality bearings with corrosion-resistant materials. Therefore, consider all possible operating scenarios and find a bearing that is efficient even in those conditions.

4. Lubrication

Proper lubrication is essential for reducing friction and preventing wear. Consider the lubrication method—whether grease, oil, or self-lubricating materials—based on the operating conditions.

5. Material

Depending on the environment, a bearing's material affects its performance. Corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings provide high speed and durability, while ceramic bearings are faster and more durable. The material properties like hardness, friction-coefficient, and strength directly impact the bearing or machine’s performance. There are 2 types of materials used in the bearing, metalic and non-metalic material.

6. Rigidity

In bearings, rigidity refers to the structure's ability to maintain stable and precise operation under load. A bearing's rigidity also affects the uniformity of load distribution. In order to maintain stability during operation, consider the possible load and rigidity. Additionally, some bearings, such as tapered bearings & angular contact bearings, provide high rigidity because of their structure. Likewise, bearing material properties can also affect the rigidity of a bearing.

7. Bearing Vibration

Vibrations of the bearing while working affect both performance and user experience. It is important for consumer items to have bearings with a minimum level of vibration for smooth operation. Therefore, select bearings with a vibration range within the permitted range.

Conclusion

Let’s conclude with a fact that rotatory hardware, machines, and setups are not complete without mechanical bearings. The main function of installing bearings is to lower the friction and support the operational forces. However, choosing the right bearing is extremely important for the optimal performance of any mechanical system. Bearing types and their characteristics mentioned in this article can help you make informed decisions that improve the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of your equipment.

f you are looking to find the perfect fit for your mechanical system and ensure long-lasting performance, then BYWB is here to help you in assisting with the right bearing equipment!

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