Our topics are as follows:
When selecting a bearing, the first thing to consider is what types of loads it will be subjected to. A bearing can be subjected to two types of load: radial load and axial load.
Besides these, factors such as heavy loads, high-speed operation, working in a vibrating environment, and working at an incline are also taken into account. Below, we’ll cover bearing types and where they’re used.
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings can carry both radial and axial loads. They are suitable for all speed ranges. They’re inexpensive and are the most widely used type of bearing.
Deep Groove Ball Bearings
Outside of normal applications, matched pairs of deep groove ball bearings are used in places where a single bearing isn’t sufficient to carry the load, or wherever axial location requires specific clearance values in both directions.
Angular Contact Ball Bearings
Contact angle α: the angle between the line formed by the contact points of the rolling element and the raceways, and the bearing’s center line.
They’re generally used for supporting machine-tool spindles.
Besides radial forces, these bearings also carry large axial forces.
α = 40o.
Support of a CNC machine spindle. Power: 25 kW Speed: 5000 rpm
To provide rigidity, precision angular contact ball bearings are arranged in multi-bearing sets.
Self-Aligning Ball Bearings
Allows the shaft to tilt relative to the bearing housing. Usually double-row. The inner surface of the outer ring is spherical. The bearing self-aligns.
Depending on diameter, they can operate with up to a maximum of 3o of angular misalignment.
They must either be used in pairs, or the other bearing must have spherical freedom of its own.
Single-Direction Thrust Ball Bearings
Has a single row of balls running between grooved washers or rings.
Those carrying moderate axial loads do not carry radial loads.
During operation, the balls shift sideways under centrifugal force. Because of this, they aren’t suitable for high-speed operation.
Double-Direction Thrust Ball Bearings
Has two rows of balls.
Each row carries the axial load in one direction.
The seating surfaces of the outer rings can be spherical.
Use of Ball Bearings
Ball bearings are widely used in moderate-load applications requiring low friction and high speed.
Roller Bearing Load Capacity
Thanks to their line contact area, roller bearings can carry higher radial loads than ball bearings.
Compactness of Needle Bearings
Thanks to their thin cylindrical rolling elements, needle bearings offer high load capacity in tight installation spaces.
Roller Bearings
Cylindrical Roller Bearings
Carries twice the load of a single-row ball bearing with the same outer dimensions.
Can be single-row or double-row.
Contact is line contact.
They carry radial loads
Used in heavy-duty and shock-load applications.
Tapered Roller Bearings
Because their rolling surfaces are angled, they’re well suited to carrying both axial and radial forces.
Always mounted in pairs, symmetrically.
Support of a swash-plate axial piston pump (image above)
Support for the rolls of a rolling mill (above)
Spherical Roller Bearings
Allows the shaft to tilt. Depending on diameter, it can operate with up to a maximum of 3-5 degrees of angular misalignment.
Preferred for heavy-duty and shock-load applications.
Has two rows of rollers.
The inner surface of the outer ring is spherical.
Besides large radial loads, it also carries loads acting in both directions.
Spherical Roller Thrust Bearings
Has a very high load capacity.
Used where misalignment and shaft deflections are very large.
The bearing surface of the ring is spherical.
The bearing can self-align.
It also carries radial forces.
Needle Bearings
Needle roller bearings have thin, long, cageless cylindrical rollers.
Used in radially confined spaces.
Friction force is high; preferred for vibrating motions.
Related Questions
The direction of the load (radial or axial), operating speed, and whether the environment is subject to vibration all directly affect the bearing’s life and performance. That’s why all of these factors need to be evaluated together to make the right choice.
These bearings can carry large axial forces in addition to radial forces. Since a machine-tool spindle is subjected to force both while rotating and along its axis, this dual-direction load capacity provides a major advantage.
Related Posts
Bevel Gear Strength Calculations 
Friction and Belt Slippage on Belt Pulleys 
Rack Gear Technical Drawings 
Types of Pulleys, Their Applications 
Standard Representation and Dimensions of a Washer 
Information About Pipe Threads 
Five Ways to Cool Roller Bearings 
Differences Between Leaf Spring and Coil Spring Suspension