ISCbearings

Extra small and miniature bearings are usually sealed with rubber seals and shields to prevent any possible lubricant leakages or dust entry. This facilitates easy handling, while sealing devices also enable a seamless process.

Note that bearings can be in imperial or metric sizes. Usually metric sizes are in full millimeters, but if you see a measurement that is a half millimeter, it’s likely that the bearing is actually in inch sizing.

NSK miniatureBearings

SPB-USA LLC offers a huge selection of miniature bearings in both inch and metric designations for maximum compatibility across various applications. We offer bearings in dimensions as small as 0.6mm bore diameters and are a recognized leader in the manufacture of precision ball bearings and other medium-sized bearings.

igus® GmbH points out that it does not sell any products of the companies Allen Bradley, B&R, Baumüller, Beckhoff, Lahr, Control Techniques, Danaher Motion, ELAU, FAGOR, FANUC, Festo, Heidenhain, Jetter, Lenze, LinMot, LTi DRiVES, Mitsibushi, NUM,Parker, Bosch Rexroth, SEW, Siemens, Stöber and all other drive manufacturers mention in this website. The products offered by igus® are those of igus® GmbH

Instrument ball bearings are used in a variety of applications, including dent handpieces, motors, medical devices, the crusher industry, automotive, mining sector, agriculture, the textile industry, metal industry, home appliances, fluid machinery, and heavy machinery. We also have extra-miniature bearings, extra-thin-type bearings, flanged bearings, extra-thin-type flanged bearings, and large-sized stainless steel bearings.

Small bearing size chart

Miniature ball bearings come in different types and various designs to meet virtually any precision instrument application requirement. Some of the bearing types include high-speed radial, full ball complement, radial retainer, angular contact, thrust, and pivot.

Heavy-duty bearings from igus® are perfect for use within dusty and dirty environments. In this video, we get hands on and show off just how well igus®’ heavy-duty plastic bearings can perform even when covered in dirt and dust. Request your own heavy-duty bearings sample box: https://www.igus.com/industries/heavy-duty-sample-box-request Learn more about heavy-duty bearings from igus®: https://www.igus.com/industries/heavy-duty-bearings

Learn more about iglide Q3E, a heavy-duty bearing that is a cost-effective alternative to fiber-wound bearings for many applications.

However, if the number has been rubbed off, measuring a metal bearing can be done with vernier calipers. Though less accurate, a steel ruler can be used if calipers are not available.(Photo, right: “Digital calipers” by Dvortygirl, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0)

To measure the ID, place the outer anvils of the caliper against the inside bore. The fit does not need to be tight to be accurate. Read the value from the caliper.

igus® makes plain plastic bearings among other engineered wear-resistant plastic products. To find out more about whether plastic bearings will work for your application, visit our webpage.

We have perfected the art of manufacturing miniature ball bearings, so we always maintain the highest quality standards. Therefore, our EZO bearings have the exact characteristics you need for a lasting performance. Reach out to our team today for more details about EZO Precision Ball Bearings or request a quote.

What matters most with a plastic shaft is whether the shaft can fit through the bearing. Minor variations in the width of the bearing (i.e. the peaks and valleys of the inner diameter of the bearing) are relatively unimportant because these will eventually smooth out due to the gradual release of embedded lubrication.

No matter what kind of project you have, there are a range of ball-bearing sizes to suit your application. These small bearings are usually machined, and they include the inner ring, outer ring, snap rings, retainers, shields, and balls.

There you have it. Now, you know that plastic and metal bearings require different measuring techniques. Follow the simple steps above and you'll get their measurements right every time -- and you won't have to worry about returning your plastic plain bearings again.

Bearings

Second, plastic plain bearings are made slightly oversized because they are designed to be press fit. Only after being arbor pressed into its final shape will a plastic bearing be ready to be measured properly. Click here for installation instructions.

First, plastic plain bearings do not lend themselves well to measuring with calipers. The jaws can press themselves into the material, compress it and create more than one measure since plastic is soft.

If you see additional markings on a metal bearing, these will further specify qualities that your replacement bearings should have.

Miniature ball bearings, also referred to as precision ball bearings or instrument ball bearings, are micro bearings used for extremely high speeds. Instrument ball bearings have bore diameters that do not exceed 0.3937”. The size of these bearings allow them to rotate at high speeds with minimal vibration or noise.

NSK Bearing

Miniature ball bearings are used in a variety of applications because they help reduce friction between parts that move independently — while also saving on space in tight areas such as in semiconductor equipment, medical applications, and instrumentation.

The three lengths measured to determine a metal bearing’s dimensions are the inner diameter (ID), outer diameter (OD) and width (W), as shown in the image below. (Fig. 1 below: “bearing_measure_guide.jpb”; Bearingboys, 17 February 2021, https://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Measuring-Bearings-15-a; photograph)

Too often, a newly ordered plastic bearing is measured right out of the box using calipers, a measuring instrument made of two long, thin metal pieces adjoined together. When the dimensions of the bearing do not match catalog values, the bearings are typically returned. However, the bearing may not have been the wrong size – plastic plain bearings are simply measured differently than their metal counterparts.

SPB-USA LLC has consistently offered high-quality EZO Precision Ball Bearings across various industrial, scientific, and commercial applications. Available in both metric and inch designations, our miniature ball bearings are recognized for their high-level performance capabilities that accommodate rotation with extremely low friction.

The best way to find out the size of a given metal ball bearing is to find a reference number on the bearing itself. Usually this number is engraved or laser stamped into the bearing.

Linear bearing

Additional markings will indicate a clearance value, which is the room between bearing races for expansion, adding an amount of play.

A pin-gauge test is what igus® uses to measure its bearings. During the test, a pin that parallels the size of the intended shaft is inserted through the top of the press fit bearing. If it falls through the bearing by virtue of its own weight, it’s a “go”. If the pin sticks or fails to fall through the bearing, it’s a “no-go.”

Visit our Online Catalog Our miniature ball bearings have excellent frictional torque performance, making them a perfect fit for a range of high-speed motor applications. You can get our instrument ball bearings in steel, chrome, or stainless steel.

This infographic provides an in-depth look at iglide bearing materials and the specific advantages of each. Discover the potential of iglide bearings today!

The terms "igus", "Apiro", "chainflex", "CFRIP", "conprotect", "CTD", "drylin", "dry-tech", "dryspin", "easy chain", "e-chain", "e-chain systems", "e-ketten", "e-kettensysteme", "e-skin", "e-spool", "flizz", "ibow", "igear", "iglidur", "igubal", "kineKIT", "manus", "motion plastics", "pikchain", "plastics for longer life", "readychain", "readycable", "ReBeL", "speedigus", "triflex", "robolink", "xirodur", and "xiros" are legally protected trademarks of the igus® GmbH/ Cologne in the Federal Republic of Germany and where applicable in some foreign countries.

Whether you are looking to replace an old bearing or seeking out extras to have on hand, knowing how to measure your bearings beforehand is important and can save you some hassle. This article will describe how to measure both metal ball bearings as well as plastic plain bearings, both of which are to be approached differently. Let’s start with plastic plain bearings.