SANBURG  Ball Bearings

           Ball Bearings are a type of rolling-element bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between the moving parts of the bearing. The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. Radial Ball bearings can support moderate radial loads and moderate axial loads (parallel to the shaft). They can operate at high speeds (400,000 RPMs and higher). Ball bearings assembled with shields or seals for protection are usually lubricated to last for the operating life. Sometimes ball bearings are also called “deep groove ball bearings.”

 

Ball Bearing Catalog & CAD Library

      

         Precision Ball Bearings versus High-Precision Ball BearingsGenerally speaking, precision ball bearings comply to ABEC-1 and ABEC-3 tolerances while high-precision ball bearings comply to ABEC-5, ABEC-7, or ABEC-9 tolerances.  Some general purpose ball bearings intentionally do not comply to the ABEC precision tolerance specifications and are not graded nor rated as such.

 

Super Precision, Super High Precision, and Ultra Precision Bearings

          Some factories promote bearings as “Super Precision (MM),” “Super High Precision (MMV),” and “Ultra Precision (MMX)” bearings.  These are all just factory defined terms to describe ABEC-7 through ABEC-9 (ISO-P4 through ISO-P2) tolerances with one of them being a compromise between the two specifications.

 

          More specifically, bearings called Super Precision (MM) are typically manufactured to ABEC-7 (ISO-P4) tolerances. Ultra Precision (MMX) bearings are usually manufactured to ABEC-9 (ISO P-2) tolerances. However, so-called Super High Precision (MMV) bearings are manufactured partly to ABEC-7 tolerances, but also partly to tolerances defined by ABEC-9 specifications. Super High Precision bearings operate with performance levels and running accuracy meeting ABEC-9 specifications; however, their remaining features meet ABEC-7 specifications and subsequently are less expensive compared to fully compliant ABEC-9 (Ultra Precision) bearings. For more about official bearing tolerances and their definition by the ABMA and ANSI, please see our white paper entitled, "Bearing Tolerances and Precision Levels."

 

Categories of Ball Bearings Based and Load Handling Capablities

           Ball bearings are typically divided into three overall general categories depending on the direction of the loads they are designed to encounter (radial, axial, or combination of each load respectively) including:

 

•Radial Ball Bearings - primarily radial loads
•Thrust Ball Bearings - primarily axial loads
•Angular Contact Ball Bearings - a combination of radial and axial loads
Not All Ball Bearings Are "Radial" Ball Bearings
Most ball bearing units are radial ball bearings; however, there are other types of bearings that use balls as their rolling element which are not classified as "radial" ball bearings. 

 

These include:

 

Linear Bushing Ball Bearings
Linear Way Bearings
Radial Ball Bearings Product Line
AST supplies ball bearings of virtually every type and they are sub-classified in the following categories.

 

Click on each to learn more:

 

Miniature & Instrument Series Ball Bearings
Single Row Ball Bearings
Angular Contact Ball Bearings - Single Row
Angular Contact Ball Bearings - Double Row
R-Series Ball Bearings
Commercial Inch Series Ball Bearings
Thin Section Ball Bearings
Track Ball Bearings
Self-Aligning Double Row Ball Bearings
Felt Sealed Single Row Ball Bearings
Airframe Control Ball Bearings
Square Bore Ball Bearing
Tapered Outer Diameter, Flanged Ball Bearings
Ball Thrust Bearings

           If you need help in selecting the best products for your particular application, please remember that design engineering and application assistance are available from AST as part of our value-added services designed to make your job easier.