What are Pillow Block Bearings?
September 19, 2016Pillow block bearings merge the familiar rounded profile of a standard bearing into the metal block of a pedestal to form a unified whole. The resulting outline is flat on the bottom and round on top, so it can be mounted to a fixed flat surface while the round aperture remains clear and ready for its drive shaft. Designed as an anchoring framework for retaining several different types of rolling element packages, this product excels as a load supporting device.
Bring in the Bearings Inserts
A pillow block bearing is hard to classify because it assumes many configurations. It’s an all-in-one welded housing, in some cases, but that seamless casting can also vary dramatically to allow inserts to be placed inside the compact housing. These bearings have at least one set of bolt holes on the pedestal, but they also incorporate a secondary set of fasteners, and it’s these screws or bolts that allow the end user to easily replace a worn or faulty friction-cancelling product.
Stable Anchoring VS. Self-Adjusting
The mounting unit isn’t going anywhere, but the eccentric radial motion delivered by a drive shaft won’t always tolerate such static conditions, which is why many inserts use a self-aligning configuration. This mechanical attribute is very desirable when angular misalignments are placing stress on the bearing housing.A ninety-degree transverse move of the fastening lugs aids this angular compensation mechanism, as does a dynamic loading capacity of at least 14 kilonewtons.
Defining Product Parameters
As a crucial load-bearing unit with superior anchoring attributes, this bearing type relies on its inbuilt specifications, a feature set of exactingly engineered features that classify the insert-smart unit as ready for its primary application. These begin with maximum load, before moving on to shaft diameter and maximum velocity. Next, the alloy used in the manufacturing process needs to summarily bolster this list of features with robust metallic strength. Pressed steel is a popular option here, as is cast iron and aluminium. The goal is to use the pedestal form as both a fixing asset and as a thermal dissipation aid.
Locking collars and inner-ring extensions are available for pillow block bearings, so this family of securely fixed rolling elements divides and multiplies yet again. In response to customer demand and application, expect to see these specialized products sporting flanges and other ancillary forms, including seals, thin race variations, and supplementary lubrication pathways. Additionally, toughened thermoplastic variants are available for chemically caustic environments.
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