Sep. 09, 2024
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Are you unsure which bearings you should get? In this guide, we'll explain the most important terms and facts about bearings. We'll also explain which bearings are best for exactly your way of riding or skating.
A wheel needs 2 bearings to rotate on the axle. A bearing can have a big influence on the speed and feel of your riding/skating.
Regardless of the type of bearing you have, you should avoid sand, water and humid conditions at any time, as this will shorten the lifespan of your bearings considerably. Regular cleaning and lubrication of bearings can help to increase their durability and speed. See how to clean your bearings here.
Also, a spacer to fill out the space between the bearings is required, as to avoid destroying the bearings and to create clean rotation when the axles are tightened. The size of the spacer depends on the size of the axle used.
8 mm spacer
6 mm spacer
The quality of bearings depends on a range of factors, such as:
Which type of bearing is best for you:
A bearing can usually be pressed in with your thumbs. When the bearing is mounted correctly, it is in line with the wheel core/hub. If it points out in one corner, it's not mounted correctly and will be destroyed upon skating it. If you have a metal core wheel it can be hard to mount the bearing, in this case, use a rubber hammer or a square piece of wood to knock it in.
Never use a metal hammer as it will destroy the bearing and your warranty.
Alternatively, you can use some lubrication to get a bearing in place, if you do then remember all excess lubrication has to be removed afterwards.
The material of bearings is one of the most important factors for their quality and durability. Most bearings are made of steel. Cheap bearings are usually made of pressed sheet metal or hardened carbon steel, both types are not recommendable for a long lifespan.
Better bearings are made of real bearing-steel, such as chrome, titanium or Swiss steel.
In ceramic bearings (usually used for speed skating) the balls are made of industrial ceramic (Silicon Nitride). Ceramic balls seldom rust and are more durable than steel.
Price and quality are very closely related when it comes to bearings, and you can usually trust the known brands to produce good and durable bearings.
Bearings are categorized according to the industry accepted ABEC-specification. ABEC describes how good bearings are at translating the force applied on them. The higher ABEC classes provide better precision, efficiency, and greater speed capabilities, but do NOT necessarily make the components spin faster. The ABEC rating does not relate to other critical factors, such as the precision of spacers and wheels or the material. All bearings do lose their precision level after some wear.
Please note, that not all brands make use of the ABEC scale (e.g. Bones) and that other scales for bearings exist.
ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee.
Bearings can either use oil or grease as lubrication. A bearing must never run "out" of lubrication, if it does it will melt and lose speed or block completely.
Notice: Water can remove all lubrication! If this happens and the water dries, your bearings will get very hot and possibly melt and make sounds, the next time you use them. This means you need to replace the bearings. In some cases, if you have not rolled on them in between, it can be saved if cleaned and oiled properly before the next use.
In order to prevent dirt, sand and water to enter the bearings, a shield or seal is often placed on each or one side of the bearing.
There are a number of factors covered by the ABEC grades. One is the eccentricity (roundness) of the track in the inner ring. The table below is the maximum eccentricity allowed.
Type mm Inches ABEC 1 0. mm (0.") ABEC 3 0. mm (0.") ABEC 5 0. mm (0.") ABEC 7 0. mm (0.") ABEC 9 0. mm (0.")This means, that the higher the ABEC classification, the smaller the deviation in the parts of the bearing = more power is transferred to the wheel.
ABEC and ILQ cannot be directly compared since ILQ is a brand name and ABEC is a standard.
ABEC bearings are measured on the accuracy in production and not the durability or function under a load. Twincam, the manufacturer of ILQ rates the quality of their bearings on a scale similar to the ABEC scale. But despite that, ILQ bearings has 6 balls, where ABEC bearings have 7.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from skf.
To clarify the difference, ILQ is not a standard, such as ABEC bearings. ILQ should, therefore, be seen as an unrated bearing from a professional inline bearing manufacturer and is not optimal for industrial machinery.
Bones bearings are made purely for skating - and cannot be compared with ABEC specifications.
The vocabulary for bearings and their shields is listed below (the type of the bearing is usually printed on the bearing together with the size, e.g.: 608ZZ).
608
688
Z
ZZ
2RS/RS/RZ
BRS
Choosing an appropriate industrial bearing for your machinery from the vast array of products is in itself a highly challenging affair. Therefore, one must be well-versed in determining the factors influencing their choice. This guide will orient you on critical considerations, types of bearings, and tips for finding and working with a supplier and manufacturer.
This guide will allow you to learn about standard bearings, as well as those with non-standard customization, along with their OEM options.
It is essential to know precisely what your machinery needs before opening any list of available types of bearings. In this connection, do not forget the load, the speed, and the environment under which the bearing will operate. All these will heavily impact what type of bearing will be good for you. Moreover, knowing all these things about your machinery will enable you to communicate with your bearing supplier and manufacturer easily.
The load and speed at which your machinery runs are, in fact, critical factors in choosing the correct bearing. Bearings are designed to sustain loads at various speeds, so selecting this kind of bearing is very capable of answering the needs of your machinery to avoid premature failure and costly downtime.
The environment where the machinery will run matters very much in the selection of bearings. Considerations are to be given to temperature, humidity, and exposure to contaminants. Some are specifically designed for operating in harsh environments, so a proper one must be chosen.
There are various kinds of industrial bearings available in the market, and, of course, each of them carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Some prevalent types include:
Ball bearings are the most popular and applicable over a wide range. In application, these bearings are placed to handle the two imposed loads, perpendicular and parallel, and are of different layouts, such as a single and double row. The bearings are associated with low friction and provided with high-speed capability, thus making them ideal for high-speed applications where speed and efficiency are paramount.
Another common bearing type, which can handle reasonable loads, is the roller. There are several models of these, including the cylindrical, spherical, and tapered roller. Each has various benefits over the others, and the right choice should depend on the specific application you have in mind.
Thrust bearings are uniquely designed to sustain axial loads and are primarily employed in applications that require support for high axial forces. They are designed in multiple types, such as ball thrust bearings and roller thrust bearings, each tailored for a specific kind of axial load.
Needle bearings are cylindrical roller bearings that have very thin and long, generally speaking, roller parts. They can bear high loads and are not space-demanding. These bearings find application in most automotive or industrial applications where small spaces are considered.
It is almost as good as the choice of the type of bearing. An excellent and well-recognized manufacturer and supplier provide support and valuable guidance from selecting the correct bearing. Following are ways of working with a supplier or manufacturer of bearings:
Do appropriate research on potential suppliers and carefully pre-qualify them. Look for well-established suppliers who have positive customer reviews. Consider their experience and expertise in your specific industry and application.
Effective communication and cooperation with your supplier/manufacturer are essential. Clearly state your machine&#;s requirements and, if necessary, underline any special requirements, whether that is non-standard customization or possibly an OEM option. He should work collaterally with you in finding the correct bearing for your application.
Ensure that the bearings you purchase meet the quality standards and certifications of the enterprise. Ask your supplier about the quality control mechanisms and any related certifications, such as ISO .
Consider the level of support for after-sales service from your supplier, whether it is technical or the warranty or return policies. A supplier ensuring robust after-sales support could be a good partner, too, in the assurance of performance sustainability and machine reliability for your company.
Sometimes, standard bearings will not meet the specifications for the application. This is where non-standard customization and OEM options come in. LKPB is among others that specialize in customized bearing solutions to your exact requirements. Whether a bearing of a specific size, material, or performance attribute is needed, working with a supplier with custom options will gain the best results out of your machinery.
This customization process usually involves consultation, designing, prototyping, and testing. Working closely with the supplier is critical to ensuring that the final product will meet your needs.
Custom bearings can help improve different performances, increase longevity, and enhance the overall compatibility of your equipment. Apart from that, OEM options provide you with bearings that are specifically designed for your equipment in the first place, thus assuring performance and reliability.
The choice of suitable industrial bearings for your machinery, similarly, is a critical decision; it may have a potential impact on both the performance and longevity of your equipment. With the understanding of machinery requirements, research, and screening of suppliers, and whether still further consideration will be required towards non-standard customization and OEM option, you would thus be in apposition to conclude by making an informed decision for the benefit of your operations. Companies like LKPB are here to help, guide you through the process, and offer solutions that can make your machinery run smoothly.
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