The tolerances for inner and outer diameters depend on the installation size. These are often approx. ±0.05 mm to the nominal dimension. The bearing rings are usually injection moulded and have a certain ovality by nature. For this reason, the caliper is used to measure 90° to the injection moulding point (if present) over the entire width of the bearing. The dimensions and tolerances are designed in such a way that they fulfil an easy press fit by hand when using an H7 holder and h6 shaft. An additional locating spigot using a circlip (shaft) and snap ring (housing) is recommended to prevent axial displacement.

Ball bearings consist of an inner and outer ring, a cage and rolling elements. The cage is there to separate the rolling elements, in the form of balls, from each other. If the balls were not separated, they would run against each other and overheat. This would have destructive effects at high rotational speeds and friction of the balls. But how do the balls get into the ball bearing?

Ball bearing descriptionand function

The cages of our plastic ball bearings are perfectly matched to the materials of the outer and inner rings in terms of chemicaland temperature resistance.

Ball bearings, also known as roller bearings, are bearing components that reduce the frictional resistance caused by rolling bodies between an inner ring and an outer ring. They are used to locate axles and shafts and can absorb radial and/or axial forces, depending on the type. Due to their design, they also allow the shaft or other components that are mounted on an axis, such as a wheel, to rotate.

These two types of ball bearing are usually only available as open types. The reason for this is that these bearings do not need to be lubricated. The open design has a major advantage with these materials. Any dirt that gets in can easily escape again, or be flushed out or blown out with compressed air. This makes it impossible for lubricants to accumulate dirt. igus® therefore dispenses with the use of suffixes in comparison to their metallic counterparts.

Ball bearingdiagram

The terms "Apiro", "AutoChain", "CFRIP", "chainflex", "chainge", "chains for cranes", "ConProtect", "cradle-chain", "CTD", "drygear", "drylin", "dryspin", "dry-tech", "dryway", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-loop", "energy chain", "energy chain systems", "enjoyneering", "e-skin", "e-spool", "fixflex", "flizz", "i.Cee", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "igumid", "igus", "igus improves what moves", "igus:bike", "igusGO", "igutex", "iguverse", "iguversum", "kineKIT", "kopla", "manus", "motion plastics", "motion polymers", "motionary", "plastics for longer life", "print2mold", "Rawbot", "RBTX", "RCYL", "readycable", "readychain", "ReBeL", "ReCyycle", "reguse", "robolink", "Rohbot", "savfe", "speedigus", "superwise", "take the dryway", "tribofilament", "tribotape", "triflex", "twisterchain", "when it moves, igus improves", "xirodur", "xiros" and "yes" are legally protected trademarks of igus® GmbH/Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and possibly in some foreign countries. This is a non-exhaustive list of trademarks (such as pending trademark applications or registered trademarks) of igus GmbH or igus-affiliated companies in Germany, the European Union, the US and/or other countries or jurisdictions.

Because we simply see the world as it is. Everything grows and develops, is in motion and is taken for granted. However, people hardly think about such a marvel of technology: the ball bearing. We encounter it every day in our lives, whether we are travelling to work by bike, train, bus or car. Because ball bearings are found in all means of transport, but also in kitchen appliances, training equipment in the gym or at the bowling alley in the evening - we find ball bearings everywhere. But what is a ball bearing anyway? Since the development of the steam engine and the beginning of industrialisation, ball bearings have become an integral part of our everyday lives.

Our polymer ball bearings have an inherent radial bearing clearance of approximately 0.05 to 0.15 mm. They owe this characteristic to their smooth running and low breakaway torque. The open design also makes them very easy to clean.

Ball bearing descriptionexample

1. mounting (tolerance H7)2. front side (balls visible)3. rear side (cage visible)4. press in the ball bearing with the front side first5. mount shaft (tolerance h6) with chamfer6. a locating spigot must be provided

Ball bearingexamples

Metallic ball bearings are also available as Open design. However, these are only used very rarely due to the problems mentioned above. For this reason, a dusty environment is sufficient to Running characteristics over a longer period of time.

Many metallic rolling bearings are available as a sealed version Ball bearing seals are generally mandatory for the metallic version, as otherwise contamination can combine with the lubricant and thus block the running of the bearing. Should the Ball bearing open or closed be? This is due to the type of ball bearing.

Rollerbearing

This question is easy to answer when looking at a deep groove ball bearing in accordance with DIN 625, as these have noticeable indentations on the inner and outer ring. If the inner and outer rings are moved towards each other up to the respective recess, the balls can easily be filled into the grooves and fixed with the cage. In this case, the cage takes on the function of preventing the balls from falling out.

Our ball bearings are put through their paces. Years of research work in our test laboratory have resulted in numerous product advantages for our xiros plastic ball bearings compared to their metal counterparts. The expertise gained flows into further developments and innovations that are ideally suited to the most individual applications.

The suitability of a xiros plastic ball bearing is determined by the materials of the two races. Our low-friction ball bearings are made from high-performance plastics with different material properties, allowing them to be used in a wide range of applications and maximising their service life.

When it comes to Metal ball bearings for a Fixed- or Floating bearing the outer and/or the inner ring are firmly connected to the shaft or the housing. The easiest way to attach this type of bearing is to Pressing in. However, this requires certain tolerances in the dimensions of the shaft and housing. In general, it can be assumed that the rotating ring in the Fixed seata so-called Oversize fitand the standing ring in the Lossitzthe clearance until Press-fittest the wiring. If there is an impact on the bearing, both the rotating and stationary ring will be executed in a firm fit. Easy assembly and disassembly of the bearing and preventing the ring from spinning is essential. Furthermore, the inner ring can also be pressed with a clamping sleeve or clamped between a nut or clamping screw.

If there is a blockage due to coarse contamination, it may be possible to rinse or blow out the ball bearing and it can continue to be used. This applies if there is no damage to the bearing rings and balls.

But how does that Fastening/installation and the Trade shows the xiros plastic ball bearing out? We are one of the few manufacturers in the world Ball bearing rings in injection moulding from. This offers users the following advantages:

The sealing of metallic ball bearings is based on the principle of the shaft seal. These seal designations are possible:

How doballbearings work

Ball bearinguses

The Seal designations are valid worldwide and, depending on the manufacturer, usually appear as a suffix after the respective DIN installation size.

Metal ball bearings are generally dependent on lubricants. But is it possible without? Our plastic ball bearings are an example of how it can be done without.

Each customer defines the wear limit for themselves depending on the field of application. For applications that require high precision or positioning accuracy, maintenance intervals should be shorter. For users who utilise xiros conveyor rollers, for example, a higher level of acceptance may apply, as only simple deflection tasks need to be performed.

igus® GmbH would like to point out that it does not sell products from Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsubishi, NUM, Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mentioned on this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH.

In our online shop, customers can choose between different cover disc variants. Not all of them are available for every bearing size, but a cover disc on one side is always available.

Ball bearing descriptionand uses

Due to this manufacturing process, both the measurement as well as for fastening deviating rules compared to metallic or ceramic ball bearings. The outer ring of the plastic ball bearings is conical. This simplifies the installation in a suitable housing (with the narrow side first). After press-fit into a housing machined to a H7 tolerance, the bearing clearance is reduced. Therefore, the ball bearings must be measured over the entire width; starting at an angle of 90° from the injection point.

In addition to stainless steel balls, balls made of glass, plastic or ceramic are also used. Glass balls should be selected if freedom from metal and chemical resistance are important. Plastic balls produce particularly lightweight ball bearings. The stainless steel version is particularly cost-effective and temperature-resistant.

Heating the outer ring and cooling the inner ring for smaller metal bearings down to miniature designs is also unusual, but is practised in the industry. The balls and cages can then be easily inserted into the space created between the inner and outer ring. If the materials of the rings contract or expand again, the ball bearing has reached its standard dimensions and all the balls are in place. For igus®, only the first option comes into question, but there are also others, which are illustrated below.

We thermal processesor also Shrinking the metal ball bearing is usually heated to a temperature of up to 125 °C by induction. As a result, the entire bearing expands and can be pushed onto the cold shaft without any problems. After the ball bearing has cooled down, it contracts resulting in an extremely tight fit on the shaft.