Ball Bearings

Ball bearings are typically the most widely used type of rolling element bearing. Some common types include: deep groove, angular contact, thrust and angular contact thrust bearings. Their design elements include:

• Constructed of an outer race, inner race, rolling elements (spheres/balls) and a cage (optional).
• Single or double rows ball bearings.
• Balls contact at relatively small point (point contact) allowing them to travel at very high speeds.
• Poor static loading ability due to small point contact. Balls can deform or crack under heavy static loading.
• Typically have a cage or retainer (not shown in deep groove and angular contact images above).
• Simple manufacturing technique of high accuracy balls makes this a relatively inexpensive bearing.
• Deep groove ball bearings are good for radial loads but relatively poor for axial (thrust) loads.
• Angular contact ball bearing design allows increased performance with axial (thrust) loads.
• Typical applications include electric motors, conveyor rollers, light duty gear boxes, etc.