| -> | | | | bearings. Out of all the different types of bearings |
| The concept behind bearings is a very simple one | | | | that are available to you however, ball bearing are |
| - things move better when they slide. Bearings | | | | the most common. It is these bearings that can |
| are basically used to allow constrained relative | | | | handle both radial and thrust loads. Depending on |
| motion between two parts. They are used to | | | | what application or piece of machinery the bearing |
| reduce friction between shafts and axles in a | | | | is being used in depends on whether there is all |
| number of applications and are often used to | | | | radial loading, all thrust loading or a combination of |
| absorb weight placed on a moving part. They are | | | | the two of these. |
| a very important piece of machinery that is | | | | Going back to ball bearings, they are found in |
| present within a lot more applications and | | | | everything from in-line skates through to hard |
| machinery than you may realise. | | | | drives. In general however they are normally |
| Bearings are generally found in applications that | | | | found in applications where the load is relatively |
| range from automobiles, airplanes, computers, | | | | small. The main purpose of it is to reduce friction |
| construction equipment, machine tools and DVD | | | | and to support radial and axial loads. The way in |
| players as well as refrigerators and ceiling fans. | | | | which it achieves this is by using at least two |
| The list of things that bearings are present in | | | | races to contain the balls and transmit the loads |
| really could go on but let's just put it simply; if an | | | | through the balls. One of the races is usually held |
| application/piece of machinery twists, turns or | | | | fixed and one of the bearing races rotates in |
| moves it probably has a bearing in it. | | | | order to cause the balls to rotate. As the balls are |
| They are highly engineered and precision made | | | | always rolling they have a much lower coefficient |
| components, which enable machinery to move at | | | | of friction than if two flat surfaces were rotating |
| extremely high speeds and carry remarkable | | | | on each other. |
| loads with ease and efficiency. They must be able | | | | Out of all the rolling element bearings that are |
| to offer high precision, reliability and durability, as | | | | available, ball bearings tend to have the lowest |
| well as the ability to rotate at high speeds with | | | | load capacity. The reason for this is they have a |
| minimal noise and vibration. It is thanks to these | | | | smaller contact area between the balls and the |
| bearings that the use of machines everyday is | | | | races. On the plus side however ball bearings are |
| possible. Without these bearings we would be | | | | the least expensive rolling element bearing |
| constantly replacing parts that were worn out | | | | available this is thanks to the low cost of |
| from friction. | | | | producing the balls that are used in the bearing. |
| When it comes to bearings there are many | | | | Making sure the bearings in your applications and |
| different kinds available; each of which are used | | | | machinery are up to scratch is an important |
| for different purposes. These different types | | | | factor as they could prolong the life of your |
| include ball, roller, thrust and tapered roller thrust | | | | applications and machinery. |