Different Types of Roller Bearings

Bearings are common hardware components found in a wide variety of assemblies, and they generally serve the basic role of supporting loads while reducing friction. Depending on the exact requirements of an application and the types of parts that are present, numerous bearing variations may be relied on. One common option is the roller bearing, a group of hardware which is designed by the presence of rolling elements that support loads and reduce friction. As roller bearings have distinct features and capabilities that define their optimal use, it is best to have a basic understanding of them before making a purchasing decision.

As stated before, roller bearings are known for their rolling elements, and these are often barrel-shaped pieces that ensure a separation between moving parts. Ball bearings are very similar to roller bearings, differing in the fact that they use spherical balls instead of cylindrical elements. With this difference, roller bearings are known for being able to handle heavier loads, though at the cost of having lower speed handling capabilities. Like many other forms of hardware, roller element bearings come in a number of subtypes that feature slight variations.

One popular example is the cylindrical roller bearing, and this subtype is known for its high radial load capacity and moderate thrust loads. While the rollers of this bearing are cylindrical shaped, they are not considered true cylinders. Rather, they feature crowned or end-relieved structures that mitigate stress concentrations for the benefit of low-friction and high-speed operations. Cylindrical roller bearings may be single- or double-row types, the difference being how much strength they will have in carrying radial loads.

Needle roller bearings are another common subtype, and they feature thin rolling elements where an inner ring is an optional feature. While built to accommodate assemblies with more restrictive spaces, needle roller bearings can still perform well in heavy-load, high-speed applications. Oftentimes, needle roller bearings find use within automobile assemblies where rocker arm pivots, pumps, compressors, and transmissions are located.

For applications with pure thrust loads, the best type of bearing to use is the thrust roller subtype. These variations have rollers that are either cylindrical or spherical, and they are only suitable for axial loads while having high axial rigidity. As such bearings also tout self-aligning capabilities and the ability to avoid shaft deflection issues, they can be very advantageous for certain assemblies.

Alongside the aforementioned examples, other common choices include gear bearings, CARB toroidal bearings, tapered roller bearings, and other such options. As each may vary in the types of loads and forces that they can handle, it is crucial that one takes the time to consider their particular needs before making a purchasing decision. Once you are ready, look no further than Emergent Industrials for fulfilling all your operational requirements.

Emergent Industrials is a premier purchasing platform of parts, offering customers access to over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items that trace back to leading manufacturers that we trust. As everything on our website is ready for purchase at any time, you are encouraged to take advantage of our online RFQ service for the means of requesting quotes for your comparisons. Within 15 minutes of receiving and reviewing a completed request form, a member of our staff will reach out to provide a customized quote for your comparisons. If you would like to learn more about our capabilities and offerings, you can always give us a call or email at any time, and we would be more than happy to discuss your needs together. Get started today and see how Emergent Industrials can operate as your strategic sourcing partner.

1. johnson scottish
2. Posted on December 15, 2022
bearings