Bearings are a mechanical component that can be utilised for a wide variety of applications, and they are an essential part of the industrial sector. Whether or not you work in the sector yourself, it’s always useful to know what goes into specific machinery to gain a better understanding of how they work. From machines that generate energy, to machining tools and machines that create materials, bearings are used in them all.
At Aire Bearings, we provide a range of industrial bearings from many different manufacturers, including Nachi, NTN, Kukko, and more! We believe it’s important for everyone who works in an industry to understand exactly what goes into the machines and tools they use on the day-to-day, which is why we have put together this helpful guide to exploring one of the more crucial aspects of industrial operation – the bearings. Keep reading to learn more about the popular uses of bearings in an industrial setting, as well as a deep dive into the specific types of bearings available.
How Are Bearings Used in an Industrial Setting?
Bearings are used in various ways to smoothly operate machinery, and as parts of a finished product created in the industrial process. Some key ways bearings are used in an industrial setting include:
Automotive: All motor vehicles utilise bearings in essential parts like the driveshaft, steering, engine, and driveline. These bearings help enhance the overall performance of vehicles, reduce CO2 emissions, increase fuel efficiency and decrease friction.
Energy Generators: Generators that create energy are an essential part of our day-to-day lives, and as industrial bearings can contribute towards a decrease in CO2 emissions, they are popular for use in wind turbine generators to make clean energy solutions.
Office Equipment: Printers, photocopiers, and fax machines all use bearings to run smoothly and effectively. In addition to improved operation, the bearings used in equipment such as these also contribute towards energy efficiency to save money and run cleanly.
Machining Tools: Used to transform products and components into a specific shape, machine tools have increasingly become reliant on computer controls. Bearings in these machines are easy to replace and ensure smooth operation for a long period of time.
This is just a brief overview of some of the ways industrial bearings can be used in an industrial setting – both to operate machinery required for the industry, and to go into the final result of mechanical creations.
Types of Bearings
There are various types of bearings available on the market, and each of them has their own unique benefits that make them better suited to certain applications. If you aren’t sure which type of bearing you need, don’t worry, our team at Aire Bearings have listed the different types of bearings available, as well as provide information on where they are most commonly used within industry. We also supply all of these bearing types, so you can come to Aire Bearings for your industrial bearing supplies, such as:
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings are used in a wide range of applications, including household items like bicycles, hair dryers, food processors, as well as in office equipment, industries, and automotive. These hardy bearing options are extremely popular because they don’t require much lubrication, have a long service life and low price, and they are highly resistant to wear and tear.
In industrial applications, ball bearings have a simple design and are easy to maintain, with their main function being the support of radial and axial loads to lessen friction from rotation. Ball bearings can also be broken down into categories for specific uses, including thrust ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, and angular contact ball bearings.
Tapered Roller Bearings
Tapered roller bearings can be mounted independently from the cup as they utilise a cone assembly consisting of an inner ring and a roller and cage. By detaching the outer ring, mounting is made much simpler. Tapered roller bearings are typically used in agriculture, construction, wind turbines, and engine motors.
Some of the benefits of tapered roller bearings include the fact that they have low friction, long service lives, and are interchangeable for enhanced operational reliability. However, they aren’t suitable for high engine speeds or increased heat from large contact surfaces, so ensuring they are properly implemented is essential to reap the most rewards. Tapered roller bearings can come in several different types – including single row, double row, tapered row thrust, and four rows.
Cylindrical Roller Bearings
Cylindrical roller bearings utilise an outer ring, inner ring, and cylindrical roller bearing roller that have straight geometry. The cage can be made from polyamide, steel, and brass and the outer and inner rings can be separated. Cylindrical roller bearings have a range of dimensions and styles, including full complement, single, double, and four rows, and thrust cylinder roller.
Cylindrical roller bearings can be implemented in a wide range of industrial settings, being used in petroleum production, mining, electric motors, rolling machines, and rubber mixing equipment. They provide excellent stiffness and come in split and sealed variants that offer low friction and have a long service duration. These bearings are designed to handle challenges of high speed and heavy radials.
Needle Roller Bearings
A needle roller bearing is made up of needle rollers and cages and allows flawless rolling action. They are most commonly used in industrial gearboxes, pumps, two or more stroke engines, rocker arm pivots, and cement grinding rolls, and many more. Needle roller bearings are highly versatile, so can be used in a much wider range of applications.
Some of the advantages of needle roller bearings include the fact that they do well in both high and low temperatures, they are easy to lubricate meaning there’s less friction, and it’s easy to get interchangeable products. To allow for the flawless rolling action needle roller bearings are known for, several needle rollers are placed between two hardened surfaces and a cage is utilised to prevent rollers from touching.
Spherical Roller Bearings
Typically, these bearings are designed for high radial loads and account for any significant shaft misalignments to keep operations running smoothly. Spherical roller bearings are laid out in a two row arrangement and share spherical raceways in the external ring between the roller rows. Options for these types of bearings are limited compared to other options – with only spherical rollers and spherical roller thrust bearings available.
These bearings can deal with high load-carry capacities, have low friction, they are self aligning and also reduce noise and vibration levels, making for a quieter operation. Spherical roller bearings are ideal for conveyors, cement grinding rolls, and industrial gearboxes.
Specialised Bearing Options
While there is undeniably a wide range of bearings available on the market, sometimes you may not be able to find something that suits your requirements. In this case you may need a specialised bearing – one that has been designed with your exact usage in mind. For some industrial settings, custom made bearings are a necessity, though can be more costly than the standard alternatives.
For more information, get in touch with Aire Bearings today!
If you would like to find out more about industrial bearing usage, or to enquire about our stock, make sure you get in touch with the team at Aire Bearings. With years of experience providing high-quality bearings, we’re sure to have exactly what you need! Reach out now!