Bearings are machinery components that help in keeping the movement of parts friction-free. Hence, bearings help to reduce the load placed on the parts and prevent damage to engineering tools, appliances, or heavy machinery. Due to being fundamental to the machine industry, bearings are useful in almost all aspects of machinery. Besides reducing the friction between two objects, they help to facilitate rotation and linear movements. Housed bearings are kept safe from contaminants as they remain protected in storage houses. Many engineering companies also provide customized bearing solutions to their customers.

Now let us understand the various types of bearings and how they are used in the bearing industry:

1. Plain Bearings

As the name suggests, plain bearings are the most basic type of all bearings. They are placed like flat wheels to lessen any signs of friction between two objects. Plain bearings do not have any rollers or balls since they consist of a totally flat surface. Plain bearings allow one machinery component to support another by ‘bearing’ its load.

Usage: They are used in furniture drawers and work through a shaft rotating in a hole. The prime advantage of these bearings is that they do not need to be steadily lubricated.

2. Ball Bearings

Ball bearings are famous among manufacturers for their high tolerance and alignment features. These bearings feature a circular or oval shape in which many small ball bearings are placed. These bearings reduce friction by taking off the load from radial movements of engineering parts and tools. They were invented and patented in the eighteenth century by Philip Vaughn, a Welsh entrepreneur. Insert bearings, thrust ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, and self-aligning ball bearings are all different types of ball bearings.

Usage: Besides being used in technologically advanced applications, ball bearings are also used in DVD players, water pumps, bicycles, fans, and washing machines due to their rolling-element features.

3. Roller Bearings

These bearings consist of rolling elements that allow the parts to roll smoothly and effortlessly. Roller bearings are used to tolerate loads of heavy and radial materials. Functionally, they are more effective than plain bearings and ball bearings. They also support the rotating parts of machinery which allow it to be used time and time again.

Usage: Tapered roller bearings are usually used for heavy loads such as in trucks and cars. Hence, they are a major part of the automobile industry.

4. Magnetic Bearings

An alternative to conventional ball bearings, magnetic bearings consist of powerful magnets that help to lift loads. The highlight of their feature is that they do so without having to make any direct contact that prevents manufactural wear and tear. Used along with ferromagnetic metals, magnetic bearings work by lifting materials into the air and reducing friction between them. 

Usage: Magnetic bearings are applicable in industrial machinery. They are efficient in facilitating turbines, pumps, compressors, as well as, in generators. These bearings are quieter and prevent noise pollution. The best part is that these bearings do not require frequent lubrication. 

Summing Up

Bearings are applicable in the agricultural, automotive, packaging, and conveyor industries. You can shop a wide range of housed bearings online in the UK from websites that offer specialized bearing tools. The best part is that you can customize these bearings according to your design requirements.