Some industrial jobs require precision beyond that provided by standard bearings. Emerson Bearing Boston, a bearing company catering to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) markets around the world, rolls out Extra Precision Bearings and shares tips to ensure their peak performance.
Extra precision bearings allow for extra fine tolerance and precision, and are ideal for applications with stringent requirements for speed (RPM) and guidance accuracy. Emerson Bearing Boston offers extra precision bearings from several top brands, including Barden, GMN, Nachi, NTN, and NSK.
There are two primary types of extra precision bearings: deep groove bearings and angular contact bearings. They are offered in many sizes, including miniature precision bearings, and are available with various cage types. Extremely versatile and among the most widely used types of bearings, deep groove bearings include full shoulders on each side of the inner and outer ring raceways, allowing for the easy addition of seals or shields. These bearings can handle radial loads, thrust loads, or a combination of both.
Angular contact bearings have one complete ring shoulder; the other ring shoulder is partially or completely removed. This allows them to have a larger ball, which offers greater load capacity and speed capability. Various cage designs are also available to meet specific high-speed requirements. Contact bearings can support thrust loads or a combination of thrust and radial loads. When implemented back-to-back or face-to-face, they can support thrust loads in both directions. Angular contact bearings are available in two types: separable or non-separable. These classifications denote whether the outer ring assembly can be removed from the inner ring. Separable angular contact bearings are especially useful when installing in a blind hole and in applications requiring press fits.
Closures and Cages for Extra Precision Bearings
Bearing closures serve to protect the bearings from internal damage caused by handling. Most bearing assemblies make use of bearing cages to create and maintain uniform ball spacing, reduce torque, and cut down on heat buildup. Extra precision bearings use cages made from stainless steel, bronze, or phenolic as these materials offer higher speeds and better loading capabilities.
“It’s important to understand the exact needs of the application in order to make a proper selection between standard bearings and extra precision bearings,” explained Steve Katz, Emerson Bearing Boston president.
Factors to Consider for Peak Performance
Two of the most important key factors to consider when selecting bearings are preloading and radial internal clearance. These elements should be closely examined to ensure bearings are able to operate efficiently in favorable conditions. The bearings must have the right amount of radial internal clearance, which is the total maximum movement possible for the inner ring in relation to the outer ring. Preloading, on the other hand, involves the removal of internal clearance in a bearing.
Shaft and housing fits are also important factors to keep in mind when employing extra precision bearings. It should also be determined whether extra precision bearings will perform better with grease or oil lubrication.
Katz continued, “It’s imperative to make sure the systems are set up for success before putting extra precision bearings into play. Our team of experts can assist in the right bearing selection for its specific application and requirements in order to equip customers with the knowledge needed to avoid costly pitfalls and downtime.”
Emerson Bearing Boston
www.emersonbearing.com
Filed Under: Bearings