Spherical Plain Bearing for High Reliability and Long Service Life
Bearings are undoubtedly the marvels of engineering innovation for they help reduce friction. A spherical plain bearing, on the other hand, is an easily mountable and standardized component, which allows multi-directional operational movements. The self-aligning feature of this bearing has no influence in alignment errors.
The bearing is known for high operational reliability for its inner and outer rings are spherically designed to have “convex outside diameter” and “concave inside surface” respectively. Thus, a typical spherical plain bearing has multiple rows of rolling elements set in two rings, where the barrel-shaped roller profiles match the raceway profiles.
Spherical Plain Bearing Variants for Greater Flexibility
Where you want total design economy, then spherical plain bearing, with rod ends is a suitable choice for they come in various designs, sizes, and dimensions. The cutting-edge technology of the bearing gives extended life and minimal maintenance. Some of the benefits of using a spherical plain bearing are:
Standardized and proven designs: The improved designs of spherical plain bearings and rod ends offer greater performance when used in applications that demands for it. The material, which is of toughened steel and phosphate treated, and manufacturing quality gives long service life and dependability.
High-quality sliding contact surfaces for easy maintenance: Made of high-quality steel, the sliding contact surfaces are phosphated and carbon chromium treated for easy maintenance. With the special running-in lubricant, the spherical plain bearing undergoes non-stop operation, thereby not asking for maintenance at regular intervals at high static loads and alternating loads.
No lubrication starvation: The multi-groove system in the spherical plain bearing avoids lubricant starvation. The inner and outer rings in the bearing are provided with grooves and holes of at least 150 mm bore diameter and it facilitates easy re-lubrication. For this reason, these bearings are highly used in applications, where they have to accommodate minor alignment movements during heavy constant operational loads.
Why Spherical Plain Bearing is a Better Choice?
Applications, with heavy loads but of constant direction demands bearings which are insensitive to hammering, as well as alternating loads. The spherical plain bearing is recognized for its self-aligning feature and can operate under harsh and contaminated conditions. The in-built grooves give them the following benefits like:
- Continuous lubrication during heavy load conditions
- Drain of excess lubrication
- Offers space for contaminants
- Increased grease-life
- Allows re-lubrication as and when required
- Permits long re-lubrication breaks
The easy availability of this bearing online and in the market helps with their use in various applications. The improved versions, with rod ends and pillow block units also facilitate easy operation in machines. Where you want to handle or multi-directional loads or a combination of radial and axial loads, you can use angular contact ball bearings with the spherical plain bearing.
