How to Choose From the Different Types of Bearings

A bearing is a mechanical part which is used to guide rotation in a device. It allows different equipment to rotate at different speeds. A bearing is a very high-precision component and needs to be durable. It should also be able to work at varying speeds without too much noise or vibration. A bearing is used in multiple industries like automotive, construction, aeronautics etc. 

Different types available

While multiple types of bearings are available, they can be largely narrowed down to 4 main types. These are the ball bearing, the tapered roller bearing, the cylindrical roller bearing and the needle bearing. The most used one is the ball bearing. However, all of them work differently and it is recommended that you research and compare each one thoroughly before deciding what fits your business.

Ball bearing

A ball bearing is usually used for radial contact. It works well when you are looking at a perpendicular force to the rotation axis. If you are using a ball bearing for a load that is axial in nature, keep in mind that it supports axial loads of moderate nature only. A ball bearing is cheap and also compact and hence it is one of the most commonly used types of bearing in most industries.

Cylindrical Roller Bearing

If you are looking for a bearing to support a very heavy radial load, you should opt for the cylindrical roller ones. There are different types in the cylindrical roller bearing variant. They differ depending on the number of rollers they have and the presence of a cage. If they have a cage, they can support higher radial loads at high speeds. If there is no cage, there can be more rows to support heavier loads but speed will have to be compromised. 

Tapered Roller Bearing

Tapered roller bearings are popular as they can work with axial, radial and combined loads. They can support heavy loads as they are rigid. As compared to a ball bearing, the same dimensioned tapered roller bearing can bear much heavier loads. These bearings are recommended for use usually in vehicle transmissions (cars, boats end even helicopters), steering of vehicle wheels, machine spindles and more. 

Needle Bearing

 Just like a tapered roller bearing, a needle bearing also has variants with and without a cage. The needle bearing with a cage can take high speeds. A needle bearing without a cage can support heavy loads but at lower speeds. A needle bearing is small in size as compared to others. They are regularly used in smaller equipment like gearboxes. 

Choose the appropriate bearing  

A bearing can be insert, deep groove or spherical of which the deep groove ones are most common. You need to consider the uses before selecting one. A rotating shaft is used in cars and a rotating hub is used in washing machines. Also, take note of how the bearings are assembled. See if the O-assembly method works or the X-assembly does. Pay close attention to the dimensions of the bearing. See that they meet the recommended international standards and then make an informed decision.