The Importance of Choosing the Right Bearing for Your Machinery

Despite their size, the bearings in your machinery play a pivotal role in getting the job done. If they aren’t up to the task, not only will you know about it quickly, you’ll also have to deal with all the clean up.

3 Reasons You Need to Be Sure You’ve Picked the Right Bearing

But why exactly is bearing selection so important? Well, here’s 3 reasons.

Cost Efficiency

We’re not just talking about saving money on your initial outlay for the bearings. The right bearings will last longer with minimal maintenance. Similarly, because they’re fit for purpose, they won’t negatively affect the wider machinery system either, saving you money on unnecessary repairs.

Productivity

Part of getting maximum value for your money, the right bearing will also go a long way to improving productivity. While it mightn’t help you focus and get your accounts done, it will be able to run for as long as possible, preventing unnecessary delays. This ensures you’re able to get as much done with your machinery before it needs to cool down, or maintenance and repairs need to take priority.

Safety

Just like you wouldn’t use a chainsaw to cut a piece of paper, having the right bearing for the job makes everything safer. This is in part due to reducing the risk of damage to your machinery, as well as limiting the creation of unsafe working conditions. For instance, an improperly selected bearing can cause machinery to become unsafe to use like causing it to seize suddenly.

The 8 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Perfect Bearing

Want to know which important factors you need to consider when selecting your bearings? We’ve got 8 of them.

1. Installation Space

This is a bit of a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning at the top of the list. You want to be sure that the bearing you pick will be able to fit into the space available. Make sure the diameters of your bearing, the shaft and so on match up.

2. Load & Load Capacity

This is essentially how much force your bearing can handle and how much it will need to regularly manage. Load can be axial (thrust) or radial, or a combination of both, sometimes called angular force. Axial load is when the force is parallel to the axis of the shaft, while radial is when the force is perpendicular. And, you guessed it, a combination load is a mixture of the two. When you’re looking at bearing types, you’ll see them generally designated as axial or radial bearings to make picking the right one a little easier.

Understanding load is important as different bearings distribute load differently, making some better candidates than others for heavier loads. For instance, ball bearings only distribute loads over a moderately sized surface area. In comparison, roller bearings spread the load over a larger surface area, making them a better option for larger loads.

3. Rotational Speeds

Just like with loads, some bearings are a better choice for higher speeds than others. When factoring in your speed needs, remember that centrifugal force can also come into play. This is the force the bearing exerts upon itself when used at high speed, which can cause it to fail.

As a general rule of thumb, you’ll find those combo or angular contact bearings are best for high-speed needs. Be sure to choose one that is marked as high-precision too to ensure that it moves correctly, even when whizzing around.

4. Runout & Rigidity

Runout refers to how the shaft moves from its centre as it rotates. So, when you’re picking bearings, you want to pay attention to how tolerant they are to this kind of movement, as well as how much deviation your machinery or application can effectively allow.

This is where you need to know about rigid bearings. A rigid bearing reduces that shaft runout or deviation. It essentially makes it so that more force is needed to move the shaft.

So if what you’re trying to do can’t handle much deviation, choose a more rigid bearing. Even better, find yourself a high-precision rigid bearing to really keep things tight.

5. Lubrication

If your bearings aren’t sufficiently lubricated, too much friction will be created leading to overheating and premature failing. To avoid this, you need to know your DN value or factor (n x d x 2). To figure this out, you need to multiply the max expected RPM (n) by the diameter of the bearing (d). Given that most bearings actually have two diameters (an inner and outer), you’ll need to measure both, add them together and then divide by 2 to get your median or pitch diameter.

With this number, you can then check it against the bearing’s lubrication max speed value (for those that come with built-in lubrication). If the numbers don’t line up — your DN value is higher than the max speed value — then the bearing isn’t a match. You can also use this number to help you figure out the correct lubricant to use with your chosen bearing if you will be doing this manually.

As part of your lubrication considerations, be sure to keep an eye out for good-quality seals if you’re going down the self-lubrication route. This helps ensure that lubricant isn’t contaminated through general use, keeping the bearing well-lubricated at any given time.

6. Heat Durability

Speaking of friction, heat is another factor to consider. Remember, it’s not just the heat that your bearing creates but also the temperatures it will need to endure when used. As a result, some bearings may be a better choice than others.

7. Material

As you’d expect, different materials are better for different applications and conditions. In general, you’ll find bearings made from stainless steel and chrome. This is because they’re strong all-rounders for most applications. However, you may need to investigate bearings made from other materials for more specialised or difficult applications. For example, ceramic is a clear winner when it comes to hardness, being lightweight and resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. So, be sure to think about exactly what your bearing will have to contend with.

8. Ongoing Maintenance & Performance vs Cost

This is a balancing act. You obviously want to find a bearing that gets the job done well and doesn’t end up costing you an arm and a leg when it comes to keeping it performing well. However, if you cheap out and choose a lower-quality bearing, you might find yourself losing out when it comes to productivity, as well as replacing the bearing all the sooner.

Your Primer on Bearing Types & Capabilities

Clearly, there’s a lot to take into account when choosing your bearing. While each one will be different according to how they’ve been designed and manufactured, we do have a quick little cheat sheet to help you start looking in the right area. Of course, be sure to check the specs of any bearings you look at to be sure they’re right for you.

Find Your Perfect Bearing at Refast Today!

If you’re ready to put your bearing selection skills to the test, it’s time to shop at Refast. With an extensive range of all kinds of bearings, you can find just the bearing you need in our online store.