Guide to Bearing Load Capacity - How to Choose the Right ...

Bearings can experience various types of loads depending on the application they&#;re used in. The primary types of loads that bearings encounter are:

Read more

Radial Load: This type of load acts perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Radial loads are typical in applications where the load is applied sideways to the rotating shaft. Some practical examples of radial loads are:

• In a bicycle wheel, the weight of the rider and the bike creates a radial load on the wheel bearings.
• In an electric motor, the weight of the rotor and any additional radial forces due to the belt or pulley system can create radial loads on the motor bearings.

Axial Load: Axial loads act parallel to the axis of rotation. These loads are common in applications where the load is applied along the direction of shaft movement. Practical examples include:

• In a car&#;s wheel hub, the thrust generated during acceleration, braking, or cornering creates axial loads on the wheel bearings.
• In a lathe machine, the cutting forces exerted by the tool against the workpiece create axial loads on the spindle bearings.

Combined Load: In many real-world applications, bearings experience a combination of radial and axial loads simultaneously. These combined loads require bearings capable of handling both types of loads. Practical examples of combined loads include:

Link to Hangzhou Journal Bearing

• In a car&#;s suspension system, wheel bearings experience both radial loads from the weight of the vehicle and axial loads from cornering and braking forces.
• In a wind turbine, the main shaft bearings experience radial loads from the weight of the rotor and axial loads from wind forces acting on the blades.

Moment Load: Moment loads occur when a force is applied perpendicular to the bearing&#;s axis at some distance from the centerline. These loads create bending moments that can lead to additional stress on the bearing. Practical examples include:

• In a robotic arm, the weight of the arm and any payloads creates moment loads on the joint bearings as the arm moves.
• In a crane, the load hanging from the crane hook creates moment loads on the slew bearing as the crane rotates.

Understanding the types of loads a bearing experiences is crucial for selecting the right bearing type and size for a given application. Bearings must be designed to withstand the expected loads while providing smooth operation and long service life.

Bearings are versatile in both their function and their applications. Primarily, they enable smooth motion with minimal resistance, friction, heat generation, and direct metal-on-metal contact. They also support machinery radial and axial loads by evenly distributing them across contact surfaces. This all serves to reduce wear, vibration, shock, and energy consumption.

If you&#;re looking for the proper bearing for applications ranging from automotive, aerospace, and healthcare to general manufacturing and food processing, the team at Emerson Bearing can help. We offer an extensive selection of bearings to assist our clients in diverse industries in finding the optimal bearing for their unique applications. Read on to learn about available bearing varieties, their ideal applications and maintenance, and more.

For more information, please visit Industrial Combined Journal Bearings.