A Refresher On Buying Bearings As Per Load Capacity

The majority of bearings with a rolling element fall into two broad groups, ball bearings and roller bearings. There additionally are several sub-categories of bearings within these groups that have their own optimized designs or unique features that help in enhancing performance.  Before you search for ‘Buy bearings near me’ on the web, you need to determine exactly what type of bearing you would need for your application.

Find the bearing load and load capacity

Bearing loads are typically defined as the reaction force a component tends to place on a bearing when it is in use. When trying to select the right bearing for your application, you need to first find the load capacity of the bearing. Its load capacity implies the amount of load the bearing shall be able to handle. 

Bearing loads can either be radial, axial or a combination of both. In the case of axial bearing load, the force is parallel to the axis of the shaft. On the other hand, a radial bearing load refers to when force is perpendicular to the shaft.  Combination bearing load additionally implies to be perpendicular and parallel forces produce an angular force relative to the shaft.

How ball bearings distribute loads

Ball bearings are designed with spherical balls, and have the capability to distribute loads over a medium-sized surface area. They ideally work better for loads that are small to medium-sized, while spreading loads via a single point of contact.

For radial and light loads, you should ideally go for radial ball bearings, also known as deep groove ball bearings. These are some of the most commonly available bearing types in the market.  For axial loads, however, thrust ball bearings would be a better option.

For combined axial and radial loads, you additionally must consider selecting an angular contact bearing. The balls contact the raceway at an angle that provides better support to combination loads.

Conversely, the rotational speed of your application is also an important factor to consider when selecting a bearing. For instance, ball bearings are preferred for high rotational speeds.  Regardless of your application, you can are likely to find the right SKF bearing for it online.