Lathe Spindle Bearing Size Chart

When it comes to lathe spindle bearings, a size chart can be very helpful. There are many different types and sizes to choose from, so the size chart is important to make sure you get the right type for your machine. This article outlines what types are available, as well as some general guidelines.

Angular-contact ball bearings

Angular-contact ball bearings are the most common type of spindle bearing. They consist of one or more rows of rolling balls with concentric grooved rings. Their axial load carrying capacity is determined by the angle at which the load contacts the bearing, with a greater angle indicating a higher load capacity. Another type of spindle bearing is the radial bearing, which has an inner and outer ring with rolling balls. These can take axial and radial loads, and can be used in many applications.

GRW recommends leaving the bearing in its airtight packaging until assembly. They also recommend using the appropriate assembly tooling to avoid damaging the bearings.

Tapered roller bearings

Tapered roller bearings are used on the spindle of a lathe. These bearings are located at the ends of the spindle and are preloaded. This preload is often referred to as the chuck pull off. If the chuck pull off is too large, the lathe will have a rough running motion. Also, the chuck pull off should be released at least one month before use. This is because the bearings transfer heat to the spindle.

The accuracy of the lathe axis is a key factor in the quality of the resulting part. Choosing the right bearings will ensure the axis runs as smoothly as possible. In addition to their precision and durability, bearings are essential to the efficiency of a lathe.

Super precision and spindle bearings

For optimum performance, machine tool spindles require super precision bearings, which are specifically designed for machine tool spindles. These bearings come in a range of sizes, from three millimeters in bore diameter to 120mm in outer diameter. The super precision bearings from HQW Precision come with comprehensive engineering and technical data for machine tool spindles. The company has a strategic partnership with Barden UK, which has updated its spindle bearing size chart.

Super precision bearings are manufactured with stainless steel, plastic, and ceramic materials. In addition to this, they may be chrome or cadmium-plated. Their lubrication properties are governed by the standards ISO 492:2002 and JIS B 1514. For mounting, the bearings have to meet dimensional accuracy and running accuracy. These standards are laid out in Appendix III.