Creating Instruments at Home

Creating Instruments at Home

Bearings: Types And Uses In Industrial Applications

by Ramona Lawrence

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:

  • Traditional ball bearings: These kinds of bearings are commonly used in lighter load applications. They can be found in almost everything manufactured from hard drives to roller blades, and can withstand some weight but can suffer from becoming warped if they get too overloaded.
  • Roller bearings: A roller bearing can handle much heavier loads. A good example of a roller bearing is a cylinder that can handle weight distributed evenly over a large surface area. A needle bearing can also be used, which is a smaller and thinner version designed to fit in smaller environments.
  • Ball thrust: This type of bearing can handle heavier loads in a lower speed scenario. A good example of a ball thrust bearing in an everyday application are bar stools, which use these type of bearings to support the weight of someone sitting in the seat.
  • Roller thrust: A roller thrust bearing can handle heavier loads than the ball thrust version. These types of bearings are usually found in vehicle transmissions to support large gears.

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. 


Share

About Me

Creating Instruments at Home

Do you know that you can make your own guitar and other musical instruments? With the right plans and some basic woodworking equipment, any musician can make a beautiful and unique instrument. This blog will give you the information you need to begin work on making the musical instrument of your choice. I have been a musician all my life, and my world was transformed when I realized I could actually create the instruments I love so much to play. Get a whole new appreciation for music and really pour yourself into your art when you learn to make your own instruments.

Tags