MAIN FUNCTIONS OF BEARINGS

We were discussing in our previous post about basic concept of bearings, where we have seen the important components of a bearing. Now we will go ahead and we will see here the various functions of a bearing and also we will look here the need of using a bearing. 

Bearings are used basically for performing three important tasks as mentioned below

1. Reducing friction

2. Supporting the load

3. Providing the guide for moving components such as shafts or wheels

Reducing friction

Application of a bearing, in any applications, will have one prime objective and that is to reduce the friction between moving components. 

Let us think the case of movement of shaft within bearing housing, bearing will reduce the required effort and also require energy here for providing the smooth movement of shaft within bearing housing by reducing the friction.

Supporting the load

As we know that load will be dependent over the direction and weight, bearings are used for supporting the loads in each and every engineering application. Shaft will always try to push the bearing in a direction in which load will move.

Loads are basically categorized in three types as mentioned here

Radial Load

When load direction, which is being moved, is at 90 degree with the shaft direction then that is termed as radial load and in such loading situation load will try to push the bearing downward direction as shown in figure.

Thrust load

When load direction, which is being moved, is in same direction as the direction of shaft then that is termed as thrust load and in such loading situation load will try to push the bearing sideways direction as shown in figure.

Angular load

When load direction, which is being moved, is not either similar or 90 degree direction as the direction of shaft but also if the direction of load will be a combination of above two then that is termed as angular load and in such loading situation load will try to push the bearing down sideways direction as shown in figure. 

Angular load in fact will be a combination of radial load and thrust load.

Providing the guide for moving components such as shafts or wheels

After two important functions that we have discussed above, providing the guide for moving components is also a very important function of bearing as without application of bearing, we could not secure smooth and continuous operation of our rotating components.

Selection of correct bearing is very important task for securing the required task as if we have selected wrong bearing, it will not be able to carry the load as required. 

Resource: 

SKF bearing maintenance manuals

We will discuss the operating conditions for a bearing in our next post.

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