ASAP Sourcing Solutions Blog

Journal bearings, also called sleeve bearing, sliding, or plain bearings, work by creating a wedge of fluid compression between the bearing and the rotating shaft. The journal is the hardened component of the entire structure which is mechanically supported by the bearing. However, the bearing pad materials are typically softer, utilizing substances such as lead and tin-based babbitt, copper-lead, bronze, carbon, PTFE, and sintered powdered metal.

We know that an aircraft bearing component is quite important in aviation, but let’s take a look at another industry— wind energy. Wind turbine technology is on the rise as more U.S. companies look to invest in renewable energy.

Spherical roller bearings which have been optimized to allow wind turbines to generate energy more efficiently and reliably. These bearings will make mounting significantly easier by combining a tapered roller bearing unit, with a direct flange mounting facility. A wind turbine and rolling bearings are subjected to operating conditions and dynamic loads from the forces of wind acting directly on the rotor bearing support in a wind turbine unit. A new compact and easy to mount bearing unit is on the market. The FAG flanged bearing unit allows the bearing to be safely supported due to the tight axial guidance of the rotor and and the large pressure angle. The bearing uses grease lubrication and seals, is supplied pre-made, and contains double row tapered roller bearing unit in the O arrangement. The outer ring is flange-mounted to the nacelle, the inner rings are flange-mounted to the rotor. The grease sensor is made to order to a specific type of grease and provides exact measurement of the water content, mechanical wear, as well as the temperature, and turbidity in the bearing support. This option is called the FAG GreaseCheck.

In an ideal way, Franke wire race bearings are made by combining aluminum components, construction that is lightweight. Franke wire race bearings range extends from the element that houses of raceways and rolling elements that complete the system. These bearings allow the free choice of material and the individual design of the mating structure. This application makes it possible to tailor to the requirements of the application. The key here give the customer free reign to use their choice of materials such as plastic, carbon, or aluminum for the production of the enclosing structure. Most Franke customers have a high potential for saving by receiving pre-finished systems, thus saving drive energy and weight. You can also purchase a complete set of Franke wire race bearings that consist of the control, drive, and bearing.

Scaheffler’s INA linear technology is a newly-developed, six-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guide way assembly that are highly precise assemblies that run extremely soundlessly, which work efficiently in a measuring machine and well-established products.

On September 2nd 2016, Eureka wrote an article for Bearing that talks about how there is a research group that have used new technology to create a new type of coating technique that allows for bearings to be high performing.

This technique includes using zinc oxide coating. Not only if this technology new, but it is also environmentally friendly. By incorporating this technique into its bearings, the research group has lowered friction coefficient by roughly one third while maintained the low frictional characteristics.