Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ By Nathan Powell And Jonathan Parkinson

Classifications Radial Thrust Tapered

Support only radial loads Radial

Thrust Supports only axial loads

Tapered Able to carry combinations of thrust and radial loads

Why Rollers? Support larger static and dynamic loads than ball bearings Less expensive for larger sizes and heavier loads than ball bearings.

Roller Vs. Sliding Advantages of Roller Bearings Low starting and operating friction Can support combined radial and thrust loads Less sensitive to interruptions of lubrication No self-excited instabilities Good low-temperature starting Can seal lubricant within bearing and “lifetime-lubricate” Typically require less space in axial direction Machine Design by Norton (676)

Roller Vs. Sliding Disadvantages of Roller Bearings May eventually fail from fatigue Require more space in radial direction Poor damping ability Higher noise level More severe alignment requirements Higher cost Higher friction (than hydrodynamic sliding) Machine Design by Norton (676)

Rolling Bearings

Vendors Micro Miniature Bearing Co., Inc. – Del-Tron Precision Inc. – Berg, W. M., Inc – Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instruments –

The Torrington Co. – Messinger Bearings Corp. – RBC Bearings – *The Bearing Detective – Nachi Tech –

Torrington manufactured its first bearing over 80 years ago. Significant product innovation dates from the early 1930's, when our engineers developed the drawn cup needle roller bearing, the outer ring of which is press-formed from strip steel rather than machined. Other technical breakthroughs have included: the needle roller thrust bearing, drawn cup roller clutch, wide inner ring bearing with eccentric locking collar, aircraft control bearings, the screwdown roller thrust bearing for metal rolling mills, and the innovative, assembled camshaft. Many specialized products have also been designed for specific applications.