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You Should Know About Thin-Section Bearings
Thin-section bearings are bearings with a small cross-section but a wide range of bore diameters. They are designed to provide efficient and lightweight solutions in space-constrained situations. Thin-section bearings are widely used in medical devices, aerospace, robotics and other high-precision applications. This article will provide detailed information on the design, types, features, materials, customization and technical assistance of thin-section bearings, and provide guidelines for selecting the best thin-section bearings.
Thin-section bearings are unique in design. Their main feature is that the cross-section size is fixed, and the cross-section does not change even if the bore diameter increases. This design allows thin-section bearings to remain lightweight in large equipment while providing efficient performance. The thin-section bearing family includes a variety of types, each with unique design and application advantages. The thin-section bearing family consists of 12 major cross-section groups ranging from 3/16 inch to 1 inch and bore diameters from 1 inch to over 40 inches. These bearings are manufactured in 52100 chrome steel and 440C stainless steel, and some models can also be chrome-plated. Upon request, thin-section bearings can be equipped with seals or protective covers to improve their performance in harsh environments.
The high design efficiency of thin-walled bearings lies in their fixed cross-section, which means that even if the diameter increases in the application, the required space and weight will hardly change. This is particularly important in applications that need to reduce weight and save space, such as medical equipment, airborne optical systems and infrared scanning equipment. Although thin-walled bearings may cost than standard bearings of the same inner diameter, the overall design and manufacturing costs are also reduced due to the reduction in space and weight.
Choosing the type of thin-section bearing
Choosing the right type of thin-section bearing is essential to ensure its optimal performance in a specific application. There are three main types of thin-section bearings: radial contact ball bearings (type C), angular contact ball bearings (type A), and four-point contact ball bearings (type X).
Radial contact ball bearings (type C)
Radial contact ball bearings (type C) are single-row bearings with extra-deep ball grooves on both rings (groove depth is approximately 25% of the ball diameter). This design allows type C bearings to perform well when carrying radial loads and have high radial load capacity. However, type C bearings have a lower axial load capacity and are suitable for applications that mainly carry radial loads. Type C bearings usually have filled grooves to accommodate balls, thereby increasing radial load capacity, but their axial load capacity is limited and their operating speed is also subject to certain restrictions.
Angular contact ball bearings (type A)
Angular contact ball bearings (type A) are designed to carry both radial and axial loads and are particularly suitable for applications with high axial loads. Type A bearings have a high axial load capacity in one direction and are usually used in pairs to increase load capacity and rigidity. The design of the A-type bearing allows it to achieve optimal load distribution and performance through different arrangements such as back-to-back, face-to-face or in tandem. In a back-to-back arrangement, the bearing is able to provide greater rigidity and is suitable for applications that need to withstand moment loads; in a face-to-face arrangement, the bearing is less sensitive to angular misalignment between the shaft and the bearing seat.
Four-point contact ball bearings (X-type)
The four-point contact ball bearings (X-type) have a unique Gothic arched raceway design that enables them to withstand radial, axial and moment loads in one bearing. This design makes the X-type bearing an ideal choice to replace two angular contact bearings, thereby simplifying the design and saving space and weight. X-type bearings perform well when subjected to any combination of radial, axial and moment loads, and are particularly suitable for applications that require high rigidity and low clearance.
Features of Thin Section Bearings
Thin section bearings excel in a variety of applications due to their unique design and variety of types. Here are a few common thin section bearing types and their features:
Reali-Slim® Bearings
Reali-Slim® bearings are one of the most widely used thin section bearings in the world and are designed to provide high precision and high efficiency performance. The main features of Reali-Slim® bearings include reduced weight, space saving, reduced friction, increased design flexibility and excellent running accuracy. These bearings are widely used in aerospace, medical equipment, robotics and other fields to meet a variety of demanding application requirements.
Ultra-Slim® Bearings
Ultra-Slim® bearings are a series of ultra-thin bearings offered by Kaydon that feature extremely small cross-sections and high precision. Ultra-Slim® bearings offer a variety of material and retainer options to meet the special needs of different applications. These bearings are available in bore diameters ranging from 3/4 inch to 40 inches (19 mm to 1 meter) and are suitable for a variety of high precision and demanding applications.
The 6700 Series bearings are metric size bearings for applications where space is very limited and loads are very light. Common applications include flow meters, optical encoders, etc. 6700 series bearings have a small cross-section and lightweight design, which is very suitable for applications that require high precision and small size.
6800 Series
6800 series bearings are also metric size bearings, suitable for limited space applications and light loads. 6800 series bearings are widely used in optical encoders, electronic equipment and other fields, with good durability and high precision.
6900 Series
6900 series bearings are suitable for limited space applications and medium loads, and are often used in power tools, industrial machinery and other fields. 6900 series bearings can provide high load capacity and stable performance while maintaining a small size.
Materials for thin-section bearings
The material selection of thin-section bearings has an important impact on their performance and service life. Different application environments and load conditions require the selection of suitable materials to ensure that the bearings can operate stably under various conditions. The following are several commonly used materials for thin-section bearings and their characteristics:
52100 chrome steel
52100 chrome steel is a high-carbon steel with excellent wear resistance and high hardness. It is widely used in the manufacture of various bearings and can maintain good performance under high loads and high speeds. 52100 chrome steel also has good fatigue resistance and is suitable for applications that require long-term stable operation.
440C stainless steel
440C stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance and high hardness and is suitable for humid and corrosive environments. It performs well in medical equipment, food processing and chemical equipment, and can maintain stable performance under harsh conditions. The high hardness and wear resistance of 440C stainless steel make it an ideal material for manufacturing high-precision and high-reliability bearings.
Ceramic materials
Ceramic materials, especially silicon nitride (Si3N4), are lighter than traditional steels, can reduce the inertia of rotating parts and improve the efficiency of equipment. Ceramic materials have extremely high hardness and wear resistance, can maintain stable performance under high load and high-speed operation conditions, and have excellent electrical insulation properties, suitable for electrical equipment and magnetic levitation applications. Ceramic materials are highly resistant to most chemicals and are suitable for corrosive environments.
M50 tool steel
M50 tool steel is a high-speed tool steel with high wear resistance and high temperature stability, suitable for high temperature and high load applications. Able to maintain its hardness and strength in high temperature environments, M50 tool steel is suitable for aerospace and high-temperature industrial equipment.
M50 tool steel has high wear resistance under high load and high speed conditions, reducing fatigue failure of bearings and extending the service life of bearings.
Plating materials
In order to further improve the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of thin-section bearings, a thin and dense layer of chrome can be plated on the surface of the bearing. This coating can effectively prevent erosion by pollutants and corrosive media, and extend the service life of the bearing. The choice of coating material should be determined according to the specific application environment and requirements.
Cronidur 30
Cronidur 30 is a high-nitrogen stainless steel with excellent corrosion resistance and high strength, suitable for applications in extreme environments. Cronidur 30 can maintain excellent corrosion resistance in extreme environments such as high salt spray, seawater and corrosive chemicals. Cronidur 30 has good strength and toughness under high load conditions and is suitable for applications such as aerospace, marine engineering and chemical equipment.
High-performance polymers
In some applications, high-performance polymers (such as PTFE and PEEK) are used to manufacture thin-section bearings. High-performance polymers have extremely low friction coefficients, reducing bearing wear and energy consumption. These materials are highly resistant to a variety of chemicals and are suitable for use in fields such as chemical and food processing. Polymer materials are lighter than metals and are suitable for applications that require weight reduction, such as aerospace and portable devices.
Selecting the best thin-section bearing requires a combination of factors, including load type and size, operating speed, environmental conditions, and space and weight restrictions. Here are some key steps in selecting thin-section bearings:
Determine the load type and size
Select the appropriate bearing type based on the actual load conditions in your application. If you are primarily carrying radial loads, you can choose a radial contact ball bearing (type C); if you need to carry high axial loads, you can choose an angular contact ball bearing (type A); if you need to carry radial, axial and moment loads, you can choose a four-point contact ball bearing (type X).
Consider the operating speed
The operating speed of a thin-section bearing will affect its selection. High-speed operation requires bearings with good dynamic balance and low friction characteristics. Reali-Slim® and Ultra-Slim® series bearings perform well at high speeds and can meet the needs of high-speed applications.
Evaluate environmental conditions
Environmental conditions include temperature, humidity, and corrosive media, which will affect the selection of bearings. For high or low temperature environments, it is important to select the right materials and lubricants. 440C stainless steel bearings have excellent corrosion resistance and are suitable for wet and corrosive environments.
Space and weight limitations
One of the main advantages of thin-section bearings is space and weight savings. In compact equipment, choosing thin-section bearings can effectively reduce the total weight of the system and improve the flexibility and performance of the equipment. The 6700, 6800 and 6900 series bearings perform particularly well in this regard.
Customization and technical assistance
Thin-section bearing customization services can meet the special needs of different applications. In some special applications, standard thin-section bearings may not fully meet the requirements. Aubearing provides a full range of thin-section bearing customization services, including selecting the right materials, sizes, sealing methods and lubrication methods to ensure the best performance of bearings in various complex applications. Aubearing’s technical team can provide professional consultation and technical support according to specific needs to help you choose the most suitable bearing type and specification. Whether it is a bearing that requires high precision and high stiffness, or a corrosion-resistant bearing used in harsh environments, Aubearing can provide a tailor-made solution.
Conclusion
Thin-section bearings have significant advantages in applications that require weight reduction, space saving and design efficiency. By properly selecting the type, material and design of thin-section bearings, you can reduce the total cost of the system while ensuring high performance. Professional customized services and technical assistance can help users solve various complex technical problems and ensure that bearings perform optimally in specific applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the service life of thin section bearings?
The service life of thin-section bearings depends on operating conditions, maintenance methods and load capacity. Under normal circumstances, reasonable lubrication and regular maintenance can significantly extend its service life.
2. Can thin-section bearings be customized?
Yes, customization of thin-section bearings includes selecting the appropriate materials, dimensions, sealing methods, and lubrication methods to meet the needs of a specific application.
3. Which type of thin section bearing should I choose?
The type of thin-section bearing chosen depends on the specific application requirements. If you need to bear mainly radial loads, you can choose radial contact ball bearings (type C); if you need to bear high axial loads, you can choose angular contact ball bearings (type A); if you need to bear radial, axial and moment loads at the same time , you can choose four-point contact ball bearings (X type).
4. What are the main application areas of thin-section bearings?
Thin-section bearings are widely used in medical equipment, aerospace, robotics, optical equipment and precision instruments, and are particularly suitable for applications with limited space and strict weight requirements.
5. How to maintain thin-section bearings?
Maintenance of thin-section bearings includes regular lubrication, checking the integrity of seals and guards, and timely removal of contaminants inside the bearings.