A ball bearing enables low friction and smoother motion throughout multiple rotary applications. They can also ensure higher performance and durability of these parts.
In 1794, Philip Vaughan developed the first modern ball bearings. His design, with a ball running along a track, is the basis of different bearing types. These tracks are known as races. Usually, a bearing runs along an inner and outer track. One race remains stationary while the other one rotates. As the ball moves along the races, it transmits load for smoother movement.
The balls have limited contact with the outer and inner races owing to their shape, which is spherical, and because this helps them to spin more smoothly.
However, the balls may become flattened with time and usage. Excessive pressure on the outer races may also cause this. This may lead to ultimate failure at times. Yet, the parameters like load ratings should be carefully examined when choosing between ball bearing types.
Types of Ball Bearings
There are different types of ball bearings and you should know how to choose the right ones as per your specific requirements.
Radial Ball Bearings
These are tailored to bear both the axial and radial loads, while the thrust ball bearings help in carrying only the pure thrust loads.
Deep-Groove Bearings
These bearings can also accommodate both axial and radial loads in diverse degrees, although they come into play whenever there is a primary load positioned in a radial direction. This ball bearing comes with an inner ring and also an outer ring while there are also the balls and also a cage which separates and contains these balls.
Angular Contact Bearings
These bearings are tailored in a manner where the contact angle between the balls and races is developed whenever the bearing is used. The key design attributes of such ball bearings include the fact that either both or a single-ring race should come with a shoulder that is higher than another.
The bearing may have an in-built preload and this may also be created whenever an assembly has a bearing inserted into the same as well. There are varying contact angles from 15-40 degrees and the measurement is relative to the line that runs perpendicularly towards the bearing axis.
Thrust Ball Bearings
These ball bearing help bear pure thrust loads. They may take smaller or almost zero radial loads. The core rolling element may be a needle, ball, or even a roller. A turntable or slewing ring bearing may help in taking radial, axial, and moment loads. They are not housing-mounted or shaft-mounted, while they may be attached to a seating surface directly. Both the outer and inner rings may have mounting holes.
Sizing of Ball Bearings
Besides ball bearing types, you must also understand the right sizing. Ball bearings come with reference numbers. This lets you determine the size.
However, it is useful to know how to measure it yourself. You must measure the width, inner diameter, and outer diameter. A vernier caliper is the best tool for this. Then, you will be able to choose the right type of bearing for the device that you wish to use it for.
You should also note the clearance value of different bearing types. The more the chances of the bearing getting hot, the larger the clearance required. A larger clearance allows the heat to escape, preventing the failure of the ball bearing.
Choosing the right types of ball bearings is a process which requires patience and some careful consideration. You should take several factors into the equation for this purpose. L&T-SuFin is a one-stop solution for finding the best ball bearings in various avatars as per your specific requirements. This is one platform which can successfully cater to all your requirements with aplomb.
Consider factors like the installation space or area, the magnitude, direction, and type of the load, the speed of rotation, and also the accuracy of running among others. Other important aspects include misalignment in terms of the various operating circumstances along with the total rigidity aspect. There are dismounting and mounting features available for such ball bearings as well.