RM Engineering and automation

06/10/2026

See our latest custom modular conveyor system, designed and built b...

02/10/2026

https://youtu.be/nwOzxu6OAVU?si=tlc56k_szh4-411u

Discover 20+ genius mechanical mechanisms and engineering movements...

24/09/2026

Learn the 8 common types of oil seals and sealing solutions used in mechanical, automotive, hydraulic and industrial applications.
Radial Shaft Seal
Double-Lip Seal
Single-Lip Seal
V-Ring Seal
U-Cup Seal
Cassette Seal
Mechanical Seal
PTFE Oil Seal
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20/09/2026

8 Types of Vice

10/09/2026

Explore **Mechanical Principles Part 10** and see how fascinating m...

03/09/2026

⚙️ 8 Types of Industrial Motors – Know the Right Motor for the Job
At RM Engineering & Automation, we work with a wide range of industrial motor and drive solutions for machinery, conveyors and automation systems.
Featured motor types:
Induction Motor
Synchronous Motor
DC Motor
Servo Motor
Stepper Motor
Brake Motor
Explosion-Proof Motor
Geared Motor
From simple conveyor drives to precision automation and motion-control applications, selecting the correct motor is critical for performance, reliability and efficiency.
RM Engineering & Automation
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17/08/2026

⚙️ Types of bearing & their uses:

Bearings are essential machine elements used to support rotating shafts, reduce friction, carry loads, and maintain accurate shaft movement. Different bearing designs are selected according to the type of load, speed, alignment, operating temperature, and application.

The infographic shows 9 commonly used bearing types, each designed for a specific mechanical requirement.

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1️⃣ DEEP GROOVE BALL BEARING

The deep groove ball bearing is one of the most widely used rolling-element bearings.

It uses balls between the inner and outer races and can accommodate both radial and moderate axial loads.

Common applications:

Electric motors

Pumps

Fans

Gearboxes

Conveyors

Industrial machinery

Main advantage: Simple construction, high-speed capability, and relatively low friction.

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2️⃣ TAPERED ROLLER BEARING

Tapered roller bearings use conical rollers arranged between tapered raceways.

They are particularly suitable for combined radial and axial loads.

Common applications:

Automotive wheel hubs

Gearboxes

Heavy-duty shafts

Industrial drives

Mining equipment

The tapered geometry allows the bearing to handle substantial thrust loads.

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3️⃣ SPHERICAL ROLLER BEARING

Spherical roller bearings contain barrel-shaped rollers and are designed to handle heavy radial loads and significant axial loads.

They can also tolerate a certain amount of shaft misalignment.

Common applications:

Crushers

Conveyors

Fans

Gearboxes

Paper machinery

Heavy industrial equipment

Key benefit: Excellent load capacity with self-aligning capability.

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4️⃣ ANGULAR CONTACT BALL BEARING

Angular contact ball bearings are designed so that the balls contact the raceways at an angular contact angle.

This allows them to carry radial loads together with substantial axial loads in a specified direction.

Common applications:

Machine-tool spindles

Pumps

Compressors

High-speed machinery

Precision equipment

They are especially useful where high speed and axial load capacity are both important.

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5️⃣ CYLINDRICAL ROLLER BEARING

Cylindrical roller bearings use cylindrical rollers to provide a relatively large contact area.

They are excellent for high radial loads.

Common applications:

Electric motors

Generators

Gearboxes

Rolling mills

Industrial machinery

Compared with ball bearings, their larger roller-to-raceway contact area provides high radial load capacity.

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6️⃣ THRUST BALL BEARING

Thrust ball bearings are specifically designed to carry axial loads.

They are generally not intended for significant radial loading.

Common applications:

Vertical shafts

Turntables

Low-to-moderate-speed mechanisms

Automotive and industrial assemblies

Rotating tables

Their primary function is to resist forces acting parallel to the shaft axis.

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7️⃣ NEEDLE ROLLER BEARING

Needle roller bearings use long, thin rollers with a relatively small diameter.

Their compact radial cross-section makes them useful where installation space is limited.

Common applications:

Automotive transmissions

Engines

Pumps

Planetary gear systems

Compact mechanical assemblies

Key advantage: High radial load capacity for a relatively small bearing cross-section.

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8️⃣ THRUST ROLLER BEARING

Thrust roller bearings use rollers instead of balls and are designed for high axial-load applications.

Depending on the design, they can handle very substantial thrust loads.

Common applications:

Heavy gearboxes

Industrial machinery

Cranes

Extrusion equipment

Heavy rotating assemblies

They are preferred over thrust ball bearings when higher axial load capacity is required.

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9️⃣ PILLOW BLOCK BEARING

A pillow block bearing combines a bearing insert with a housing that can be mounted directly onto a machine frame.

It provides a convenient solution for supporting rotating shafts.

Common applications:

Conveyor systems

Fans

Agricultural machinery

Material-handling equipment

Industrial drives

Main advantage: Easy installation, replacement, and maintenance.

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🔧 HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT BEARING?

Bearing selection should not be based only on bearing size. Engineers normally consider several operating parameters:

1. LOAD TYPE

Determine whether the bearing will experience:

Radial load → Load perpendicular to the shaft

Axial load → Load parallel to the shaft

Combined load → Radial + axial loading

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2. SPEED

High-speed applications generally require bearings with suitable:

Internal clearance

Lubrication

Cage design

Precision class

Temperature capability

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3. MISALIGNMENT

If shaft or housing misalignment is expected, self-aligning bearing designs, such as spherical roller bearings, may be appropriate.

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4. AVAILABLE SPACE

For compact designs, engineers may consider:

Needle roller bearings

Thin-section bearings

Compact ball bearings

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5. TEMPERATURE & LUBRICATION

Bearing life depends strongly on:

Operating temperature

Lubricant type

Lubricant viscosity

Lubrication method

Contamination level

Poor lubrication is one of the major causes of premature bearing failure.

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📊 QUICK BEARING SELECTION GUIDE

Bearing Type Main Load Major Advantage

Deep Groove Ball Radial + moderate axial High speed & versatility
Tapered Roller Radial + axial High combined-load capacity
Spherical Roller Heavy radial + axial Self-aligning
Angular Contact Ball Radial + axial High-speed axial loading
Cylindrical Roller Heavy radial High radial capacity
Thrust Ball Axial Axial-load support
Needle Roller Radial Compact design
Thrust Roller Heavy axial High thrust capacity
Pillow Block Mainly radial Easy shaft mounting

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🧠 ENGINEERING TAKEAWAY

There is no single bearing that is ideal for every application.

The correct choice depends on:

Load → Speed → Alignment → Space → Temperature → Lubrication → Service Life

For example:

🔹 High-speed electric motor → Deep Groove Ball Bearing

🔹 Heavy combined load → Tapered Roller Bearing

🔹 Misalignment + heavy load → Spherical Roller Bearing

🔹 High axial load → Thrust Roller Bearing

🔹 Limited radial space → Needle Roller Bearing

🔹 Easy shaft support → Pillow Block Bearing

Selecting the correct bearing can significantly improve machine reliability, energy efficiency, maintenance intervals, and operating life.

💬 Which bearing type do you use most frequently in your industry?

27/07/2026

https://youtu.be/C8FBZjSLKpY?si=1-yzYK9rUYzfs3AY

Welcome to Mechanical Movement Part 6!In this video, we demonstra...

30/06/2026

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30/06/2026

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