Bearings
A 'Bearing' is basically a device that is used to create relative motion between two parts, namely rotation or linear movement. The history of bearings is very old. You would be surprised to know that they were even used in the Stone Age. They play an important role by reducing overall friction between two parts. Some of the elements of bearings include motions, principle of operation and directions of applied loads. Common motions of bearings may be mentioned as:
- Axial rotation e.g. shaft rotation
- Linear motion e.g. Drawer
- Hinge motion e.g. Door
One of the common forms of bearings that are used in industries is low friction bearing. This is meant to reduce wear and high speed. To reduce the friction by bearing, you need the combination of three elements, the shape, material and fluid between the surfaces. Today you find lots of bearing materials that are used to reduce friction. Lubricants or pressurized gas are commonly used materials to reduce the friction between two parts.
The bearings follow six principles that include:
- Sliding bearings
- Roller bearings and ball
- Jewel bearings-to carry the load by rolling the axle
- Fluid bearings - to carry the load via gas or liquid.
- Magnetic bearings- to carry the load through magnetic fields.
- Flexure bearings to support loads that tend to bend
So it can be said that the use of bearings to reduce friction between two surfaces is very common. In the earliest times, bearings used to consist of two rolls and rocker plate, but the functions were the same as they are now.
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