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Wide Bearings
Self-aligning Bearings
The inner race on these bearings is wider than the outer race.
Width (W)
Bearing Number ID (B) (MM) OD (D) (MM) ID (B) (inch) OD (D)
(MM)
87501 12 32 12.7 0.472 1.26
87502 15 35 12.7 0.591 1.37
87503 17 40 14.3 0.670 1.57
87504 20 47 15.875 0.787 1.85
Measuring Bearings
How to measure and choose the correct bearing type
Reference Numbers
Measuring Bearings
It is sometimes necessary to measure bearings to
determine the correct bearing type.
Bearing Suffixes
Once you measured your bearing, you can use our search to find the correct bearing
size.
e.g. Inside Diameter: 25mm; Outside Diameter: 52mm; Width: 15mm - Bearing
Type: 6205
Once you know the bearing you need based on size, you can then choose further
options:
The bearing also has a seal either side of the bearing and this will be indicated by
the suffix:
ZZ or 2Z = 2 Metal Shields
2RS1 or 2RSR or DDU= 2 Rubber Seals
Additionally, bearings also have a clearance value. This provides the bearing room
for expansion between the bearing races and will add a small amount of play
between the two rings.
Bearing Types
Ball Bearing - A ball bearing uses loose balls to maintain separation between the
two races.
Roller Bearing - The same as a ball bearing but instead of balls, a roller is used to
maintain the separation,
Needle Bearing - a small bearing which uses small rollers to reduce the friction
between the races
1. Contact angle
2. Materials
3. Precision
6. Bearing fits
7. Lubrication
1. Contact angle α0
The contact angle is formed by a straight line drawn between the points of contact of
the balls with the raceways and a plane perpendicular to the bearing axis. Externally
applied loads are transmitted from one ring to the other along this line.
The contact angle is designed into the bearing and changes during
operation with the speed, the external forces and the difference in
temperature between the inner and the outer ring.
GMN manufactures spindle bearings with 15° and 25° contact angles. Other contact
angles available on request. Angular contact bearings/precision spindle bearings
Technical information
2. Materials
Rings:
Basically GMN rings are made from vacuum degassed chrome steel 100Cr6, which
is heat stabilized for temperatures up to 150° C (302° F). On request, an additional
heat stabilization can be carried out for working temperatures between 150° C and
300° C (572° F). Bearings for working temperatures up to 500° C (932° F) are made
of high temperature tool steel.
Balls:
Standard material for balls is vacuum degassed chrome steel 100Cr6. For the
increase of speed value and lifetime, all bearings can be delivered with ceramic balls.
The tolerances for dimensional, form and running accuracy of GMN high precision
ball bearings are specified in international (ISO 492) and national standards (DIN
620). GMN high precision bearings are manufactured to precision class 4 and class
2 (P4 and P2) as well as ABEC 7 and ABEC 9. For special applications, e.g. vacuum
pumps, gyroscopes as well as measuring engineering and optical systems, GMN
manufactures bearings to the internal tolerance classes HG (high precision) and UP
(ultra precision). Apart from the requirements mentioned, the tolerance classes
contain additional selection criteria. All GMN high precision ball bearings are also
available in compliance with the American AFBMA standards. The relationship
between the various standards are explained below.
class 4 P4 ABEC7
class 2 P2 ABEC9
Spring preload
Characteristics:
The spring has to be arranged to be effective in the same direction as the external
axial load.
Rigid preload
Characteristics:
With the spindle shown in the drawing both bearings are paired and mounted
stationary in an axial direction. Bearings arranged like this have a defined axial pre-
load. The sleeves shown in the drawing must be ground to identical lengths in one
setting. GMN delivers the required bearing pairs with the necessary preload.
6. Bearing fits
The machining quality and the correct selection of the fits for the bearing seats are of
great importance for a satisfactory operation of precision bearing applications.
7. Lubrication
The correct choice of lubricant and method of lubrication is as important for the
proper operation of the bearing as the selection of the bearing and the design of the
associated components.
Grease lubrication
Grease should be used if...
Grease manufacturer offer a multitude of greases suitable for high speeds. The n x
dm factor is a criterion for the selection of the grease taking into consideration
bearing size and operating speed.
Oil lubrication
Errors during fitting of ball bearings can jeopardize the best design and create high
repair and maintenance costs. We would like to give some advise for proper
mounting of bearings:
The workshop should be dust free with low humidity, no compressed air or machining
is allowed.
The use of a syringe is recommended to inject the grease right between the balls into
the ball/raceway area. Nearly all standard greases are compatible to our rust
preventive, so in most cases it is not necessary to wash the bearings prior to
greasing. The only exceptions are special greases, based on silicone or fluorocarbon
oils or PTFE-thickeners. They require a clean oil free surface to obtain good
adhesion of the grease.
Never clean the bearings in ultra sonic devices! Allow the rust preventive to dissolve
in a gasoline bath by slowly moving the bearings.
It is recommended to use filtered cleaning gasoline type 100/140 (max. filter 0.45
microns). Drying of the bearings should take place under a dust cover. Bearings
should never be dried by blowing with compressed air because of environmental dust
and moisture!
Finally the bearings, ready for installation, can be mounted by adequate means. It is
of utmost importance to avoid misalignment of the bearings in the seats and that
mounting loads never be applied through the balls.
This sketch shows the correct mounting of a bearing with a tight bore fit onto the
shaft. Mounting forces are conveyed through the inner ring only, balls and races
remain free and undamaged.
Very few applications call for tight fits on both bearing seats. In this case a bearing
can be mounted by pressing both rings simultaneously. As a result, balls and
raceways remain undamaged.
Starting Operation
Oil Lubrication
In general, there are no particular running-in specifications for oil lubed bearings,
nevertheless it proved advantageous when
Grease Lubrication
Grease lubrication calls for running-in of the bearings. Even when a reduced grease
pack is applied to the bearing, a certain amount of surplus grease causes additional
friction. A complete grease film must cover all contact surfaces.
How long and how often this procedure is to be repeated depends on the properties
of the application. To optimize the running-in process for your specific application,
please contact our application engineers.