Angular Contact Bearings: Its Applications & Types

Angular contact bearings are used for diverse purposes due to their design and usage. It usually depends on the contact of the angle. Also called special ball bearings, these angular contact bearings usually have the advantage of axial load-carrying capacity. These bearings are specifically manufactured to support high axial and radial loads and enable precise axial positioning. In this article, we will understand the designs, application and usage of these angular contact bearings. 

What is an angular contact bearing?

Here are the following components in an angular contact bearing: 

The angular contact bearing consists of outer and inner rings, raceways, balls and the cage. The inner ring in a bearing is the place it is connected to, whereas the outer ring is basically the bearing’s exterior that protects the other components from different factors. These bearings also have inner and outer raceways that are responsible for forming the inclined contact angle. To reduce the friction in bearings, spherical elements, also called balls, move along the raceways. 
Finally, the cage in the bearings separates the raceway to keep the balls fitted in equal spaces.

Application of angular contact bearings:

Due to their capacity to bear heavy loads, angular contact bearings are used in heavy machinery as agricultural equipment. They help run pumps, electric motors, gearboxes, windmills, conveyors and other high-speed machines.

Machine Tool Spindles: The angular contact bearings are mostly used in high-precision machine tool spindles. This handles both the radial and axial loads to ensure high rigidity and accuracy during machine operations.

Aviation and aerospace: Well, the usage of angular contact bearings expands to other crucial industrial applications, like an aircraft’s landing gears, types of machinery, helicopters, and even jet engines. These bearings can take on heavy loads and high speeds, which are the ultimate requirement in the aviation industry. 

Construction industry:

In the construction industry, there is a need for bearings as high-capacity machinery like excavators, cranes, and bulldozers need to handle heavy loads and maintain stability in rigorous working conditions.

Medical industry:

In the medical devices industry, angular contact bearings are usually used in MRI machines, where high speeds and load-bearing capacity play an important role in making day-to-day operations better.
 
Types in machine bearings:

Single-row angular contact bearings: These bearings only support axial loads in one direction and are effective for radial loads. They possess one row of balls and raceways inclined to one particular angle. One can also use two single-row bearings that can be fitted back-to-back, face-to-face, or in tandem arrangements.

This type of single-row angular bearing is less expensive than the double-rowed ones.

Double-row angular contact bearings:

In the double-row angular contact bearings, there are two rows of balls and raceways, which enable these bearings to manage the heavier loads in two directions-axial and radial. Typically, it is more expensive than the single-row bearings. However, considering their functioning for a more extended period of time, double-row angular contact bearings have better efficiency.

Four-Point Angular Contact Bearings:

These bearings are designed to handle the combined radial and axial loads in all directions. They have better axial stiffness and limited radial space. These can load higher capacity and have better efficiency than the other kinds of angular contact bearings. They take up less space in comparison to the single-row and double-rowed bearings.

The angular contact bearings are super adaptable and cater to different load requirements according to the industries. They have the versatility and reliability to function in the most challenging conditions. To understand which kind of bearings will suit your application, check the angular contact ball-bearing mounting positions and then pick your option.

SKF e-Marketplace is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of angular bearings. These bearings are high-quality, sturdy and stand the test of time. Beginning its operation in 1923, the brand now offers its services pan-India and in 130 countries.