Bearings

What are machine tool bearings and why do they exist? Bearings are made of various materials, including steel, plastic, ceramic, bronze or other exotic compounds.

A bearing's chief responsibilities are:

  • Anti-friction or friction (plane)
  • To reduce friction
  • To separate two components (such as a shaft and housing) to prevent their wear
  • To allow for consistent, smooth, and accurate rotation of a component (usually a shaft)
  • To aid in the dissipation of heat from other components
  • To be a cost-effective and easily available replaceable part

Bearings are selected for a particular application based upon many factors.

  • Anti-friction or friction (plane)
  • Shapes of the rolling elements
  • Ability to accept radial or axial loads
  • Sealed or unsealed (open)
  • Running accuracy
  • Accuracy of tolerances
  • Speed capability
  • Temperature capability
  • Size

Most bearings that you may have seen are considered anti-friction bearings, in that they have balls or rollers of various shapes. For a given application, multiple factors will be taken into account to make a proper selection of a particular bearing type and size.

Here is a list of Manufacturers / Brands that we represent:

  • EPT (McGill, Rollway, Sealmaster) - cam followers and needle rollers, cylindrical and spherical rollers, mounted bearings and rod ends
  • Isostatic - plane bearings (bushings)
  • Kaydon - thin section and turntable bearings
  • Koyo - full line ball and roller bearings
  • NSK - full line ball and roller bearings
  • NTN - full line ball and roller bearings
  • RBI (RBtech) - imported ball, roller, and mounted bearings
  • Schaeffler (Barden, FAG, INA) - full line ball and roller bearings
  • Setco - precision spindle repair
  • Timken (Fafnir, Torrington) - full line ball and roller bearings
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