Some Uses of Spherical Plain Bearing Designs in Industry

Spherical Plain Bearing 

The performance of a machine depends on the type of a bearing used. An indispensable mechanical component, a bearing assists in the smooth and efficient running of the machine, which results in productivity and profitability. With innumerable types of bearings available in the market, you can find the most appropriate onethat facilitates rotational or linear movements between componentsat minimal friction. Henceforth, bearings with improved designs are used in applications that ask for operating under extreme environmental conditions. 

Among numerous design variants, a spherical plain bearing is a kind that come with self-aligning features to enable multi-directional rotational movements of machines. With the sphered raceways, where the inner one features “convex outside diameter” and the outer “concave inside surface”, the bearing manages misalignment while in operation.The use of international standards in designs, sizes and series helps easy maintenance through dismounting and mounting of raceways and ball rollers.

Various Types of Spherical Plain Bearings Used in Applications

Spherical bearing designs support the “total design economy” suitable for any application. Their matchless design range includesradial spherical plain bearings, angular contact spherical plain bearings, spherical plain thrust bearings, etc. They are built using hardened carbon chromium steel and treated with ‘Molybdenum Disulfide’ and phosphate to handle heavy load. Suitable enough to operate under unfavorable conditions, the bearing unit comes with holes and grooves on the washers to enable easy lubrication and re-lubrication at frequent intervals.

• With a spherical plain bearing design, you can handle articulated movements of oscillating or self-aligning motions. The different design variants therefore include: 
• Lubrication Spherical Plain Bearings: The design consists of a single fracture assembly of the outer ring, without any fitting grooves and sliding surfaces to handle impact or alternating loads.

Self-lubricating or Maintenance-free Spherical Plain Bearings:With the self-lubricating design, the bearing does not require any maintenance and offers long service life operating under harsh conditions. A spherical plain bearing unit undergoes self-lubrication for the stoppage and inspection is not possible. The design is more suitable in managing heavy loads with minimal oscillation in one-directional operation. 

Where Are Spherical Plain Thrust Bearings Used?

A spherical plain bearing and its variants are used in numerous applications. A common type is a spherical plain thrust bearing, which is used to manage acting axial and radial loads. You can find its applications in hydraulic cylinders, rolling mill equipment, fork-lift trucks, earth-moving machines, etc.