Choosing Precision Spindle Bearings

When choosing a bearing for a high-speed spindle, it is important to choose precision spindle bearings that can withstand the high-speed movements. These are often called angular contact ball bearings, and they are available in metric and inch sizes. They come from different brands including NSK, GMN, and Pacific Bearing.

Angular contact ball bearings

There are a number of different angular contact ball bearings available for precision spindle applications. They come in several different sizes, with some bearings being able to withstand high speeds while maintaining tight tolerances. Universally matched angular contact ball bearings are ideally suited for fitting together, either in tandem, back-to-back, or face-to-face configurations. These bearings are also ground to pre-determined clearances, eliminating the need for spacers.

Angular contact ball bearings are characterized by their offset inner and outer rings. This design allows them to support a combined axial and radial load. Single-row bearings, on the other hand, have a non-separable outer ring and are designed for high-speed applications.

Angular contact ball bearings can accommodate axial loads of up to 200N in one direction. Their outer ring has a "V" laser marking indicating the direction of load. In addition, proper tooling for assembly is essential to prevent damage to the bearings.

Taper roller bearings

Taper roller bearings are designed with many unique features. They have two distinct end diameters and angled raceways. The inner ring is known as the cone and the outer ring is called the cup. These two components are separated by a cage. This cage maintains the correct distance between the rollers to ensure proper rotation and even load distribution.

Taper roller bearings are available in different cage designs. The most common one is a pin cage. It has two metal rings that each have a series of pins on the circumference. These pins are threaded onto the rollers. The second ring is then welded to the ends of the pins. The cage is typically made of polymer, but non-ferrous metals are also commonly used. The more rollers in a cage, the higher its load capacity. However, this decreases the bearing's capacity for dynamic loads, vibration, and high speeds.

In addition to metric tapered roller bearings, they are also available in non-metric sizes. In metric systems, the contact angle code is "C" after the bore number, whereas in non-metric systems, the code is "D." These bearings are generally used in automobiles and gearboxes. SKF also provides customized tapered roller bearings that meet the specific requirements of your application.

NSK ROBUST series of ultra-high-speed angular contact ball bearings

NSK has introduced the ROBUST series of ultra-high speed angular contact ball bearings for machine tools. This series features increased thermal robustness, low heat generation, and reduced noise. These features help machine tools run at ultra-high speeds, increasing productivity and cutting energy costs.

The Robust series features innovative cages and high-speed angular contact balls. The cage design of the Robust angular contact ball bearings allows them to generate less frictional torque than their predecessors. They also produce less heat, which contributes to the reliability of the machining process. Furthermore, the bearings' high surface quality makes them ideal for high-speed machining.

Machine tools require a high degree of running precision. Therefore, NSK has developed various bearing types for these applications, including the Robust series. These bearings feature an optimised cage for better lubricant distribution. Besides, they also offer high-speed performance and axial load bearing capacity.