WALKING

Characteristics of roller bearings

Roller bearings are extremely robust machine elements designed to support high radial and, in some versions, axial loads. By using rollers instead of balls, they offer a larger contact area, resulting in higher load carrying capacity and better resistance to overloads.

They come in several main variants to suit different operating requirements:

• Single-row roller bearings,
• Double-row roller bearings,
• Tapered rollerbearings,
• Spherical roller bearings,
• Needle rollerbearings (a variety of rollerbearings, but with an extremely slender design).

Single-row roller bearings

Features and applications

Single-row roller bearings are characterized by:
✔ High radial load carrying capacity,
✔ Capable of operating at high speeds,
✔ Rigid design, limiting shaft deflection,
✔ Slight resistance to misalignment of the shaft relative to the housing.

Single-row bearing design

Thanks to the use of a steel or brass cage and precision-seated rollers, these bearings are extremely durable and resistant to intensive use. They are available in both open and shielded versions to prevent contamination.

Double-row roller bearings

Features and applications

Double-row bearings offer:
✔ Higher load carrying capacity than single-row models,
✔ Ability to support moderate axial loads,
✔ Greater rigidity, which is important in precision mechanisms,
✔ Reduced risk of shaft misalignment.

Double-row bearing design

The use of two rows of rollers allows for a more uniform distribution of forces acting on the bearing. These models are available in a variety of designs, including seals to protect against dust and moisture.

Tapered roller bearings

Features and applications

Tapered roller bearings are designed to support both radial and axial loads. Their main features are:
✔ Adjustable preload clearance,
✔ Adaptability to high axial loads in one direction,
✔ Widespread use in automotive, transmission and transportation equipment.

Tapered roller bearing design

The tapered shape of the raceways and rollers allows efficient transmission of thrust and radial forces. These bearings often operate in pairs to ensure system stability.

Spherical roller bearings

Features and applications

Spherical roller bearings are distinguished by their ability to compensate for misalignment of the shaft relative to the housing. Their features include:
✔ Very high load carrying capacity, both radial and axial,
✔ Resistance to shaft misalignment and deflection,
✔ Excellent durability under harsh operating conditions.

Spherical roller bearing design

Thanks to the use of two rows of spherical rollers, they can operate under demanding conditions, such as in mining machinery, rolling mills and wind turbines.

Characteristics of spherical roller bearings

Spherical roller bearings are self-aligning rolling elements designed to support heavy loads under deformation and misalignment conditions. Their unique design, based on spherical-ended barrels, allows them to compensate for significant shaft deflections, making them indispensable in heavy machinery and heavy-duty applications.

Diversity of applications

Spherical roller bearings are distinguished by their versatility and perform well in heavy-duty machinery where both radial and axial loads need to be carried.

• Spherical rollerbearings are self-aligning - ideal for loose housings, eliminating the need for precise shaft and housing concentricity.
• Spherical roller thrust bearings - designed for high speed operation, even with misalignment of up to 3 degrees.

Design and features

Spherical roller self-aligning bearings are capable of supporting both radial and axial loads, thanks to the oblique arrangement of the rolling elements. Thrust models, on the other hand, while designed primarily for high thrust loads, also perform well at high speeds.

Durability and lubrication

Thanks to their high load-carrying capacity, spherical roller bearings stand out for their exceptional durability. To prevent rolling elements from jumping, they use special cages.

• Grease lubrication - recommended as a standard method of maintaining efficient operation.
• Oil lubrication - used in applications requiring intensive cooling.

Spherical roller bearings are separable designs, which makes them easier to install and maintain.

Types of spherical roller bearings

• Single-row - contain one row of spherical rollers, allow angular deflection of the shaft, suitable for moderate loads.
• Double-row - increased load carrying capacity, optimal distribution of forces acting on rolling elements.
• Three-row - reinforced design with seals, eliminating the need for preloading, ideal for extreme loads.

Wide spectrum of applications

Spherical roller bearings are used in many industries, including:

✔ Heavy machinery - gearboxes, rolling mills, casting machines,
✔ Industrial fans - requiring stable operation at high speeds,
✔ Wind turbines - where resistance to radial and axial loads is required.

Thanks to their unique design, spherical roller bearings make it possible to operate in demanding conditions where other types of bearings cannot provide stable and efficient operation.

Summary

Spherical roller bearings offer a wide range of solutions to suit various industrial applications. Thanks to their robustness, ability to handle heavy loads and precise design, they are reliable components in mechanisms that require stability and long service life.