Rolling Bearing Vocabulary
Rolling bearings are made up of several components that add to the function of a bearing and form a bearing assembly. Here is a list of some terms related to rolling bearings:
Bearing Arrangement: The way in which bearing components are configured in order to allow for effective operation.
Ball Bearing: A type of rolling bearing in which the rolling elements are balls.
Roller Bearing: A type of rolling bearing in which the rolling elements are rollers.
Housing: The external part of a bearing assembly which holds the components together.
Bearing Cage: A metal or plastic structure that separates the bearing rolling elements and keeps them in place.
Bearing Rings: Two metal or synthetic rings that contain and support the bearing components.
Bore: The internal diameter of a bearing; the size of a shaft or other components that the bearing fits onto.
Outer Ring: The outermost ring of a bearing that transfers the load from the outer race and supports the inner ring.
Inner Ring: The innermost ring of a bearing, which is the part of the bearing that is actually loaded by an external force.
Seal: A device used to prevent the entry of dirt or moisture into a bearing.
Lubrication: The act of lubricating a bearing to reduce friction and wear.
Axial Load: The force created by a rotation or an action perpendicular to the axis of the bearing.
Radial Load: The force created by a force acting in the same direction as the axis of the bearing.
Retainer: A device used to keep rolling elements properly spaced within a bearing.
Preload: A technique used to reduce the clearance in bearings.
Separator: A plastic or metal member that separates the races within a bearing.
Vibration & Shock: The mechanical motion or force that cause a bearing to move or vibrate.
Accuracy: A measurement of how closely the bearing components fit together and interact.
Backlash: The gap between rotating and stationary bearing components; the amount of play between two components.
Coefficient of Friction: The ratio between the force needed to overcome friction and the normal force between two surfaces.
Rolling Element: The ball or roller components that roll between the bearing surfaces.
Friction: The resistance of one surface to the motion of another.
Runout: The amount of variation in the radial or axial directions as a bearing turns.
These are just a few of the terms and concepts related to rolling bearings. Understanding these components and characteristics is essential for identifying bearings, selecting the proper bearing for a specific application, and maintaining a bearing once it is in use.
