Bearings are used in all kinds of situations from vehicle use to heavy industrial equipment. A bearing is basically a device that helps enable movement while reducing excess friction and stress on other moving parts. These devices allow other moving items to roll smoothly and keep the level of friction to a minimum, thus prolonging the life of equipment and improving overall efficiency. Here is some information about how bearings work and the different types you generally find in an industrial application.
How They Work
Bearings are essentially an item with a smooth metal surface designed to help something roll. The bearing carries the force and the weight of the load, which is why they have earned their name since they bear the brunt of the pressure from the load. Depending on the type of load, the bearing can handle different levels of tension. With a radial load like a pulley, the weight is placed on the bearing to help the pulley move more easily. With a thrust load, there is much more force applied onto the bearing. In some cases, bearings have to be able to handle both types of loads simultaneously. Think of it like a tire that must be able to roll straight in one direction as well as turn sharply and still function properly
Bearing Types
There are several different types of bearings used in machinery that can handle either radial or thrust load, or handle a combination of both. Industrial applications may need to use a variety of these types of bearings depending on the weight and specifics of the individual load. Here are some examples of commonly used bearings and how they differ:
These are just some examples of the most commonly used bearings that can be found in a factory setting as well as in the products people use every day. Without them, finding the needed support to help things operate smoothly would be much more difficult.
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