If you are in the field of mechanical engineering then you must have come across ball bearings in many of the machines. The purpose of these spherical-shaped balls is to offer minimum friction and help in guiding rotating parts.
Such ball bearings are designed so that they can reduce rotational friction and at the same time support both axial and radial loads. Primarily, they are made from steel, but a few other materials like ceramic and nylon are also available.
Teo Nooseng Co., Ltd. is one of the well-known authorized SKF distributors based in Thailand and you can get all kinds of information about ball bearing (ตลับ ลูกปืน, term in Thai) and its proper usage.
There are many different types of ball bearings available on the market and the most commonly available types are as follows:
- Thrust ball bearings
- Deep groove ball bearings
- Angular contact ball bearings
- Miniature ball bearings
- Linear ball bearings
- Self-aligning ball bearings
Some of the very well-known brands that manufacture these ball bearings are as follows:
- NSK ball bearings
- SKF ball bearings
- FAG ball bearings
What are various applications of ball bearings?
Two types of loads may impact the function of any ball bearing – radial and axial. As far as the radial load is concerned, it is projected all around the radius while vertical force will be concerning gear trains.
About axial load, it is projecting horizontal force on the bearing. A few other types of loads that you may account for will be dynamic, which refer to the combinational effects of both radial and axial forces. You will normally find ball bearings are included in the manufacturing of almost everything right from skateboards to any hard drives to obtain optimum performance and functionality.
The main applications of ball bearings include the following:
- Aerospace engineering
- Production of centrifugal pump
- Cooling fans
- Motors
- Conveyors
- Robotics
Can ball bearings reduce friction?
Of course, ball bearings are mainly designed for reducing friction. All these bearings may contain balls that have less surface contact to produce less friction than any flat surface would. Both inner and outer rings have rolling friction rather than sliding friction. Hence, ball bearings can spin very smoothly.
Where will ball bearings be used?
Commonly ball bearings are used in machinery, but also widely used in many industries. You can also find roller bearings in many household appliances.
When do you replace ball bearings?
You must follow the lifespan as advised by the manufacturer. Also, it is important to know when the ball bearing needs replacement. For instance, changes in noises like humming or clicking. A few visible signs like vibrations or misalignment may also be noticed.
What are these ball bearings made of?
Most commonly ball bearings materials are stainless steel because of their durability and also corrosion resistance. However, plastic ball bearings are also available.
How does a plastic ball bearing work?
These ball bearings don’t need any external lubrication. Such kind of relatively lightweight bearings will be suitable for harsh environments and commonly used for workers within the food and medical industries.