Follow me on: 
A Guide To Spherical Roller Bearings
Spherical roller bearings are vital components in modern machinery and equipment and are widely used in various industrial, agricultural, mining and construction machinery. Its unique design and superior performance make it the first choice in a variety of high-load and high-impact environments. This article will take an in-depth look at all aspects of spherical roller bearings, including their definition, working principle, types, advantages, applications, installation, life calculations and comparison to other types of bearings. Through detailed analysis and explanation, it helps you to fully understand spherical roller bearings and correctly select and use them in practical applications.
The spherical roller bearing is a rolling bearing that can automatically adjust the angle error. The inner ring has two raceways, the outer ring has a spherical raceway, and the two rows of rollers are located between the inner and outer ring raceways. The design of spherical roller bearings allows them to automatically adjust for angular deviations caused by installation errors or shaft bending while bearing radial and axial loads, thereby ensuring stable operation of the bearings under high loads and impact loads.
The design feature of spherical roller bearings is that the raceway between the inner ring and the outer ring forms a spherical surface, and the rollers roll on the spherical raceway and can adjust the angle freely. This unique structure enables spherical roller bearings to maintain good working performance under various complex working conditions.
How do spherical roller bearings work?
The working principle of spherical roller bearings is based on its special inner and outer ring raceway design. The raceway of the outer ring is spherical, the raceway of the inner ring is convex, and the roller is between the two. During the rolling process, the roller can automatically adjust its angle along with the spherical raceway of the outer ring to adapt to the deflection and misalignment of the shaft, thereby ensuring even distribution of load and smooth operation of the bearing. Spherical roller bearings have the following key working mechanisms:
1. Rolling contact: The rollers roll between the inner and outer ring raceways to form rolling contact, which reduces friction and wear and improves the operating efficiency of the bearing.
2. Automatic alignment: Due to the spherical design of the outer ring raceway, the rollers can freely adjust their angles and automatically compensate for shaft offset and misalignment to ensure smooth operation of the bearing.
3. Loading capacity: Spherical roller bearings can bear both radial and axial loads, and are especially suitable for applications with heavy loads and high impact loads.
Types of spherical roller bearings
Spherical roller bearings can be divided into the following types according to their structures and uses:
1. Standard spherical roller bearings: suitable for general industrial applications, with good self-aligning performance and load-bearing capacity.
2.CA type spherical roller bearing: using symmetrical rollers and brass cage, it has higher load capacity and impact resistance, and is suitable for high load and high speed applications.
3. CC type spherical roller bearing: adopts stamped steel plate cage, no ribs in the inner ring, and is suitable for general heavy-load and medium-speed applications.
4. Spherical sliding bearings: The outer surface of the inner ring is a spherical convex surface, and the inner surface of the outer ring is a spherical concave surface. It is suitable for occasions where alignment movement between the shaft and the bearing seat is required.
5. Spherical rod end bearing: It consists of an eye-shaped head and an integrated shaft, suitable for the end of the rod, with high load-bearing capacity and good alignment performance.
What is a CA type spherical roller bearing?
Type CA spherical roller bearings are a special type of spherical roller bearings with symmetrical rollers and a reinforced cage made of brass. This type of bearing is designed for heavy-duty and high-speed applications and is commonly used in industrial machinery, mining equipment and other heavy-duty applications.
The main features of CA type spherical roller bearings include:
High load-carrying capacity: The design of the symmetrical rollers allows it to distribute the load evenly, thereby increasing the bearing’s load-carrying capacity.
Impact resistance: The brass cage has high strength and toughness, which can effectively absorb impact loads and extend the service life of the bearing.
Self-aligning feature: It can automatically compensate for angular deviation caused by installation error or shaft bending to ensure stable operation of the bearing.
Low noise and vibration: The symmetrical design of the rollers and high-quality brass cage make the bearings smoother and quieter during operation.
What is CC type spherical roller bearing?
CC type spherical roller bearings use a steel plate stamped cage and have no ribs in the inner ring. They are a common type of spherical roller bearings. Compared with CA-type bearings, CC-type bearings have a simpler structure and are suitable for general heavy-load and medium-speed applications. The main features of CC type spherical roller bearings include:
Economical and practical: Due to the use of steel plate stamped cages, CC-type bearings have lower costs and are suitable for mass production and use.
Good self-aligning performance: Although the inner ring has no ribs, its design can still provide good self-aligning ability and adapt to a certain degree of axial and radial deflection.
Wide application: Suitable for various industrial machinery, transmission equipment and construction machinery, with high cost performance.
CA spherical roller bearings VS CC spherical roller bearings
CA type and CC type spherical roller bearings are different in structure and performance and are suitable for different applications. Here are the main differences between the two:
Characteristic | CA Type Spherical Roller Bearings | CC Type Spherical Roller Bearings |
Cage Material | Brass | Stamped Steel |
Roller Design | Symmetrical Rollers | Symmetrical Rollers |
Inner Ring Design | With flanges | Without flanges |
Load Capacity | High load capacity, suitable for heavy load and high-speed applications | Moderate load capacity, suitable for general heavy load and medium-speed applications |
Impact Resistance | Excellent | Moderate |
Self-aligning Capability | Excellent | Good |
Noise and Vibration | Low noise and low vibration | Moderate |
Application | Industrial machinery, mining equipment, heavy-duty applications | Industrial machinery, transmission equipment, construction machinery |
Cost | Generally higher due to brass cage and complex design | Generally lower due to simpler stamped steel cage design |
Advantages of spherical roller bearings
Spherical roller bearings offer many unique advantages in a variety of applications, here are some of the main ones:
1. High load-bearing capacity: Spherical roller bearings can bear both radial and axial loads, and are especially suitable for applications with heavy loads and high impact loads.
2. Self-aligning characteristics: Spherical roller bearings can automatically compensate for angular deviations caused by installation errors or shaft bending to ensure stable operation of the bearings.
3. Durability: Made of high-quality materials, it has high wear resistance and durability, and can operate in harsh environments for a long time.
4. Low noise and vibration: The symmetrical design of the rollers and the high-quality cage make the bearings smoother and quieter during operation, improving operating comfort.
5. Wide application: Spherical roller bearings are suitable for various industrial machinery, transmission equipment, construction machinery, mining equipment and other fields, and have broad application prospects.
Applications of spherical roller bearings
Spherical roller bearings are widely used in various mechanical equipment that need to withstand heavy loads and high impact loads. The following are some common application scenarios:
1. Industrial machinery: In various industrial machinery, spherical roller bearings are used to support rotating shafts and withstand heavy loads and high-speed operating conditions.
2. Mining equipment: Spherical roller bearings are widely used in mining equipment, such as crushers, screens and conveyor belt systems, and can withstand high impact and vibration loads.
3. Construction machinery: In construction machinery, spherical roller bearings are used in cranes, excavators, loaders and other equipment to ensure their stable and efficient operation.
4. Transmission equipment: Spherical roller bearings are used in transmission equipment to support gears and shafts, providing smooth power transmission and long-life performance.
5. Wind power generation: Spherical roller bearings are used in wind turbines to support rotating shafts and can withstand high wind speeds and changing load conditions, ensuring the efficient operation of wind turbines.
6. Pulp and papermaking equipment: Spherical roller bearings are used to support rotating shafts and rollers in pulp and papermaking equipment to ensure the continuity and stability of paper production.
7. Ship propulsion system: In the ship propulsion system, spherical roller bearings are used to support shafts and gears and can withstand high loads and harsh marine environments to ensure reliable operation of the ship.
Spherical roller bearings vs. cylindrical roller bearings
Spherical roller bearings and cylindrical roller bearings are two common types of rolling bearings. They have their own characteristics in structure, performance and application. The following are the main differences between the two rolling bearings:
Characteristic | Spherical Roller Bearings | Cylindrical Roller Bearings |
Structure | Inner ring with two raceways, outer ring with a spherical raceway | Inner and outer rings with linear raceways |
Self-aligning Ability | Yes, can compensate for angular misalignment | No self-aligning ability |
Load Capacity | Suitable for both radial and axial loads | Mainly supports radial loads |
Application Scenarios | Heavy-duty and shock load applications like mining equipment and industrial machinery | Medium load and high-speed applications like machine tool spindles |
Installation Requirements | Requires accurate alignment, relatively complex | Simple installation, suitable for high-speed operations |
Maintenance | Requires regular maintenance and lubrication | Relatively simple maintenance |
There are also obvious differences in structure and performance between spherical roller bearings and tapered roller bearings. The following is the main comparison between the two:
Characteristic | Spherical Roller Bearings | Tapered Roller Bearings |
Structure | Inner ring with two raceways, outer ring with a spherical raceway | Tapered inner and outer rings, rollers are tapered |
Self-aligning Ability | Yes, can compensate for angular misalignment | No self-aligning ability, requires precise alignment |
Load Capacity | Suitable for both radial and axial loads | Supports radial loads and single-direction axial loads |
Application Scenarios | Heavy-duty and shock load applications like mining equipment and industrial machinery | Heavy-duty and high-precision applications like automotive wheel hubs and machine tool spindles |
Installation Requirements | Requires accurate alignment, relatively complex | Requires preload adjustment, complex setup |
Maintenance | Requires regular maintenance and lubrication | complex maintenance, requires regular preload adjustment |
Factors affecting the quality of spherical roller bearings
The quality of spherical roller bearings is affected by many factors. The following are some of the main influencing factors:
Material quality: The quality of bearing materials directly affects the performance and life of the bearing. High-quality steel and high-quality rolling element materials can improve the wear resistance and load-carrying capacity of the bearing.
Manufacturing accuracy: The processing accuracy of bearings includes the shape accuracy of the inner and outer ring raceways, the size and shape accuracy of the rollers, etc. These precision parameters directly affect the running stability and service life of the bearing.
Heat treatment process: Appropriate heat treatment process can improve the hardness and toughness of bearing materials and enhance the wear resistance and fatigue resistance of bearings.
Surface treatment: The smoothness and surface treatment process of the bearing surface (such as chromium plating, oxidation treatment, etc.) can improve the corrosion resistance and lubrication performance of the bearing.
Assembly process: The assembly process and assembly accuracy of the bearing have an important impact on the performance and life of the bearing. Precise assembly ensures good contact between the bearing’s rolling elements and raceways, reducing friction and wear.
Choose the right spherical roller bearing
When selecting spherical roller bearings, you need to consider the following factors:
Load requirements: Determine the radial and axial loads that the bearing needs to bear, and select a bearing model with corresponding load-bearing capacity.
Operating speed: Select the appropriate bearing type and lubrication method according to the bearing’s operating speed to ensure stable operation of the bearing at high speeds.
Working environment: Consider the working environment of the bearing, such as temperature, humidity, dust and corrosion, and select appropriate bearing materials and sealing forms.
Accuracy requirements: According to the accuracy requirements of mechanical equipment, select bearings with corresponding accuracy levels to ensure the operating accuracy and stability of the equipment.
Installation conditions: Consider the installation space and installation method of the bearing, select the appropriate bearing size and installation method, and ensure that the bearing can be installed and operated correctly.
Conclusion
Spherical roller bearings are widely used in various industries due to their superior self-aligning characteristics, high load-bearing capacity and durability. The correct selection and use of spherical roller bearings can significantly improve the operating efficiency and reliability of mechanical equipment. In practical applications, it is necessary to select suitable spherical roller bearing models and specifications based on specific working conditions and requirements, taking into account load, speed, environment and other factors.
FAQ
Q1: What are the main application areas of spherical roller bearings?
A1: Spherical roller bearings are widely used in industrial machinery, mining equipment, construction machinery, transmission equipment, wind power generation, pulp and paper equipment, ship propulsion systems and other fields, and are suitable for applications with heavy loads and high impact loads.
Q2: How to choose a suitable spherical roller bearing?
A2: When selecting spherical roller bearings, you need to comprehensively consider factors such as load requirements, operating speed, working environment, accuracy requirements, and installation conditions, and select a bearing model with corresponding load-bearing capacity and adaptability.
Q3: What are the installation precautions for spherical roller bearings?
A3: When installing spherical roller bearings, you should pay attention to cleaning the shaft and bearing seat, checking the dimensional and shape accuracy, lubrication appropriately, using appropriate installation methods (such as mechanical pressure method or heating method), and performing post-installation inspections to ensure The bearings are properly seated and rotating freely.
Q4: What are the main differences between spherical roller bearings and cylindrical roller bearings?
A4: Spherical roller bearings have self-aligning capabilities and are suitable for bearing both radial and axial loads, and are suitable for heavy-load and high-impact applications; while cylindrical roller bearings mainly bear radial loads and have no self-aligning capabilities and are suitable for For medium load and high speed applications.
Q5: What are the main advantages of spherical roller bearings?
A5: Spherical roller bearings have the advantages of high load-bearing capacity, self-aligning characteristics, durability, low noise and vibration, and wide application. They can maintain good working performance under various complex working conditions.
The above is comprehensive information about spherical roller bearings. I hope it will be helpful for you to understand and choose spherical roller bearings. If you have any questions or need further technical support, please feel free to contact Aubearing’s professional technical team.