Different Types of Bearings and are their uses | Blog

What are the Different Types of Bearings Available? What are Their uses?

Bearings are mechanical devices that consist of rolling elements. The purpose of bearings is to enable rotational or linear movement by reducing friction between two objects. They help equipment achieve desired speed and efficiency. There are several different types of bearings.

Here we take a look into the common types of bearings and their applications:

Ball Bearings: Ball bearing is a type of rolling-element bearing, which uses balls to maintain a gap between the bearing races. The main purpose of using ball bearing is to reduce the rotational friction and support both types of loads --- radial and axial. Ball bearings are used in most applications that involve moving parts. From skateboards to computer fans, from watches to jet locomotive shafts, ball bearings are used everywhere. Ball bearings consist of rolling spherical elements that are placed between circular inner and outer races. They rotate very quickly but cannot support substantial loads.
Roller bearings: Roller bearings carry loads by the help of rolling elements between two bearing rings, thus the relative motion causes rolling elements to roll with very less rolling friction. They are widely used in aviation cargo systems, engines, heavy equipment and machinery, solar panels, medical equipment, the automobile industry and powerhouses. Roller bearings consist of cylindrical or tapered rolling elements that are installed between inner and outer races. In comparison to ball bearings, roller bearings can handle high loads.
Mounted bearings: Mounted bearings are used in applications where stability and support are desired. They are used in conveyor rollers. As the name suggests mounted bearings are pre-assembled in the mountings. They support rotating shafts and minimize friction between shafts and machine components. They are ideal for low-mid speed applications.
Linear Bearings: Linear bearings are designed to operate without lubrication or maintenance. As the name suggests, linear bearings provide linear movement. This means they allow movement in one direction. They are used in machinery that requires linear movement and positioning along shafts. Linear bearings are widely used in medical and laboratory equipment, packaging machinery, and food processing equipment.
Cylindrical roller bearings: In a cylindrical roller bearing, the cylindrical rollers are in linear contact with the raceways. There are different types of cylindrical roller bearings. They are used in wind turbines, electric motors, pumps, and steel mills where they can accommodate faster speed and withstand high radial load capacity.
Thrust ball bearings: Thrust bearings rotate between parts reducing friction and is designed to support an axial load. Thrust roller bearings can handle lesser weight. Ball bearings can be used in various applications such as roller blades and hard drives.