Bearing Inserts and How Do They Work?

June 8, 2016

Designed as specialized fittings, bearings that are easy to insert, bearing inserts are still readily identifiable as standard radial bearings. Yes, they are undoubtedly related to each other, except the insertion variant doesn’t work on quite the same mounting principle. Instead, a locking collar secures the inner race to its accompanying shaft. Indeed, while common roller bearings use keyed shafts and locknuts, the extended inner ring of this proprietary model excels by using setscrews and locking collars. In essence, this is an easy-to-mount bearing, one that accommodates multiple installation methodologies by adding a fine circumferential separation attribute to the mix.

Imbued with Versatile Mounting Features 

We’ve all seen the engineering processes used to bond rolling bearings to drive shafts. They’re fixed in place via a press fit (interference fit) mechanism, a powerful machine with one purpose. It seizes the bearing and pushes it, driving the slightly smaller circumference of the bearing down past the wider circumference of the drive shaft. The compressible characteristics of two or more metal alloys define the integrity of the locking action and eliminate parts creep. Conversely, bearing inserts are precision-engineered with a finite separation feature, a characteristic that simplifies the mounting of the inner race. Once properly oriented, incorporated setscrews are tightened until a formidable lock has been achieved. Again, this join must be inviolable if slippage (creep) is to be cancelled.

How Do They Work? 

As already observed, these adapted radial bearings mirror many of the properties found in their close cousins, standard rolling bearings. Minor mechanical differences, though, deliver large performance gains. A finite gap between shaft circumference and the inner surface of the bearing’s inner race ensures fast and near tool-free installation, insertion, which is a compelling feature in a setting where machinery is running around the clock. Conveyor systems and agricultural machinery both favour this configuration, with each of the bearing inserts finding instant homes within pillow bearing housings. Additionally, this application domain is quickly reinforced by the aforementioned extended inner race, a component that tends to eliminate pollutants while extending the loading abilities of the axle or shaft.

Capable of effortlessly slipping onto a shaft mount, product versatility sides with other compelling features. The lockable race is wider than average, which means heavy loads and undesirable vibratory events are efficiently distributed. Meanwhile, the two-tiered bearing outline is typically partnered with a shield or cover, an auxiliary component that defeats the ingress of dirt while working to retain any lubricating agents.

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