Shaft bearings support loads and allow for rotational or sliding motion between parts. They are used in various industries, with different types ranging from simple to high-precision bearings. Plain bearings are inexpensive and consist of a low-friction material, while rolling bearings use balls or small cylinders to reduce friction. Selection depends on factors such as speed, load, size, cost, and safety requirements. Bearings come in standard and metric sizes and are produced to standardized tolerances by manufacturers.
A shaft bearing is a mechanical component used to support an applied load and allow for rotational or sliding motion between two or more parts. Shaft bearings are widely used in mechanical and industrial applications including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery and many more. There are many different types of shaft bearings, ranging from simple, inexpensive bearings that provide sliding contact, to high-precision bearings that maintain very precise mechanical tolerances and high reliability.
A common type of shaft bearing is known as a plain bearing. This simple, inexpensive bearing consists of a cylindrical sleeve made of a low-friction material, such as bronze, plastic, or graphite, that allows a shaft to rotate or slide within the sleeve. The contact area between the inside diameter of the sleeve and the shaft is referred to as the seating surface. Plain bearings are often used for mechanical applications that do not require tight tolerances with lubrication to extend their service life. Surface contact between the outside diameter of the shaft and the inside diameter of the sleeve in plain bearings makes them subject to wear over time and can limit their service life.
Another common shaft bearing is known as a rolling bearing. This type uses balls or small cylinders that rotate, or roll, between a shaft and mating parts to reduce friction and allow for much tighter mechanical tolerances. The three main components of a rolling bearing are the inner race, which contains the bore in which the shaft slides; the outer track, which is usually mounted inside a housing; and the rolling mechanical components located between the inner and outer raceways. A ball bearing is a common type of shaft bearing, with balls that rotate between the inner and outer races to reduce friction. Rolling bearings can be purchased with special features, such as seals and shields, that protect internal components from contamination that could cause mechanical damage to the bearing.
A shaft bearing can be purchased in a variety of sizes, in both standard and metric sizes, and there are many types, with varying levels of accuracy. Selection of the appropriate bearing for a specific application is usually based on several considerations, such as operating rotational speed, type of loads applied, size, weight, cost and safety requirements. Higher precision shaft bearings are often more expensive, but offer much higher reliability and extended maintenance intervals. Bearing manufacturers produce bearings to standardized tolerances established by international standards organizations, taking into account the correct tolerances for the shaft and housing to ensure proper function.
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