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BEARING

Bearing

BEARING

A bearing is a mechanical component that supports, guides, and reduces friction between moving parts, usually between a rotating shaft and stationary housing.

  • Without bearings, machines would have high wear, energy loss, and heat due to direct contact between metal parts.

  • Bearings allow smooth, efficient, and precise rotation or linear movement.

For any service and support contact us.

Functions of Bearings

  1. Reduce Friction → Smooth rotation/linear movement.

  2. Support Loads → Radial load (perpendicular to shaft), axial load (along shaft), or both.

  3. Maintain Shaft Alignment → Prevent wobbling/vibration.

  4. Increase Efficiency & Life → Less power loss, less wear.

  5. Absorb Shock & Stress → Protect machine parts.

Types of Bearings & Applications

1. Ball Bearings

  • Construction: Balls between inner and outer race.

  • Best for: Low–medium load, high speed.

  • Applications:

    • Electric motors, pumps, fans, household appliances.

    • Automobiles (wheels, alternators).

    • Industrial machinery.

Variants:

  • Deep groove ball bearings (most common, multipurpose).

  • Angular contact ball bearings (support combined loads).

  • Self-aligning ball bearings (allow misalignment).

  • Thrust ball bearings (handle axial loads only).

2. Roller Bearings

  • Construction: Cylindrical/needle/tapered rollers instead of balls → more contact area.

  • Best for: Higher load capacity, lower speed.

  • Applications:

    • Gearboxes, conveyor rollers, mining equipment.

    • Automotive differentials, truck wheels.

    • Heavy machinery.

Variants:

  • Cylindrical roller bearings (high radial load).

  • Tapered roller bearings (radial + axial load, e.g., car wheel hubs).

  • Needle roller bearings (compact, good for oscillating shafts).

  • Spherical roller bearings (very high load, misalignment possible).

3. Plain Bearings (Bushings / Sleeve Bearings)

  • Construction: No rolling elements, just sliding contact (lubricated).

  • Best for: Low cost, high load, low speed.

  • Applications:

    • Engines (crankshaft bearings).

    • Pumps, compressors.

    • Hinges, linear slides.

4. Magnetic Bearings

  • Construction: Magnetic fields levitate shaft → no contact, no friction.

  • Best for: High-speed, precision, zero lubrication.

  • Applications:

    • Turbo-molecular pumps.

    • High-speed turbines, aerospace.

    • Energy storage flywheels.

5. Fluid Bearings (Hydrodynamic / Hydrostatic)

  • Construction: Fluid film separates surfaces.

  • Best for: Very heavy load, quiet, shock absorption.

  • Applications:

    • Hydroelectric turbines.

    • High-speed machine tools.

    • Marine propeller shafts.

6. Special Bearings

  • Thrust Bearings → Handle only axial loads (e.g., automotive clutches).

  • Linear Bearings → Allow smooth straight-line motion (e.g., CNC machines, robotics).

  • Pillow Block Bearings (Plummer Blocks) → Mounted bearings for supporting rotating shafts in conveyors, fans, and industrial systems.