Precision engineering is required for safe, efficient moving components in every industry sector, from the most basic household appliance to the most sophisticated industrial equipment. To achieve this, roller bearings and bushings are commonly used to keep things moving smoothly. In addition, they are used to allow for unrestricted motion between components, which is why they’re so important.
Like ball bearings, roller bearings are designed to reduce friction while carrying a load using line contact instead of point contact. This, along with the robust internal steel cylinder, gives them more excellent shock resistance and capacity. They come in various forms and sizes to match a wide range of applications, including cylindrical, tapered, spherical, and needle shapes.
Here are some reasons to use roller bearings in your precision engineering applications:
Roller Bearings: Why Should You Use Them?
They are Strong and Long-Lasting
Although ball bearings are more tolerant of misalignment than roller bearings, roller bearings can withstand tremendous shock and impact. With their larger surface area, they’re meant to be used with greater weights and slower speeds, and each roller bearing form offers certain benefits. For example, tapered and spherical roller bearings are best at taking combined radial and thrust forces. As a result, roller bearings are the best option for heavy-load industrial applications in the long term.
They Can Be Greased or Lubricated
Bearings wear down over time, and when they do, it’s critical to have them serviced as part of a regular maintenance schedule. Predictive maintenance allows you to replace bearings as needed rather than waiting for the entire machine to break down. Meanwhile, to extend the life of your bearings and ensure optimal equipment function, it is critical to apply sufficient lubrication. Roller bearings can be lubricated in several ways, including grease or oil baths, mist, and manual greasing.
Lubricants have several applications:
- Reduce friction and wear and tear.
- Remove the heat caused by friction.
- Cover the contact surface to minimize fatigue.
- Avoid rust.
- Avoid contamination (dirt, debris, etc.)
Proper bearing maintenance includes the appropriate lubricant and lubrication technique, which will assist your bearings in functioning more efficiently. In some circumstances, you may take advantage of the most up-to-date sealing technology to ensure that you don’t have to grease your bearings again, saving time and money.
There Are More Options Based on Geometry
There are many different sorts of roller bearings suited for a variety of functions:
- Standard Cylindrical Roller Bearing: They’re not compatible with thrust loads, but they have a larger radial load capacity due to it. They come in single, double, and multi-row versions.
- Needle Roller Bearing: These are similar to cylindrical bearings, but they have a smaller diameter. The needle roller bearing has an exceptionally tight tolerance for radial movement, which allows it to be used in applications with less radial space. However, because the bearing vibrates rapidly and generates a lot of friction, it’s better suited to slow-moving equipment.
- Tapered Roller Bearings: The tapered form, which can have a 30-degree angle of inclination, is intended to take thrust loading. The larger the taper, the more axial load the bearing can tolerate. These are most often used in pairs.
- Spherical Roller Bearings: Spherical bearings are helpful for heavy loading and large shock loads because they can endure a significant burden even when misaligned. They have a barrel-shaped inner ring and an outer ring with a concave profile.
You can select the roller bearing from the bearing manufacturing company best suited to your application by matching it to the load, speed, and precision requirements.
Read here to know the difference between a plain bearing and a roller bearing.
In Conclusion
Roller bearings and bushings are an essential part of precision engineering, offering strength and durability for various applications. However, when it comes to choosing the right roller bearing for your needs, there are many factors to consider, including load capacity, speed requirements, and the geometry of the bearing. With so many options, you’re sure to find the perfect roller bearing for your application.
hibondbearings 