When selecting bearings for an application, it’s always important to consider the different types of loads your parts will encounter during use. There are three main types of loads to contemplate:

• Radial
• Axial (also known as thrust)
• Moment

While radial and axial loads are perpendicular and parallel forces to the center axis of an object respectively, moment load is applied along the rotational axis. As such, moment loads are forces that can rotate the rings of your bearing if you don’t address them.

How Do Moment Loads Occur?

There are a few common scenarios that can lead to moment loads. If a design only has a single bearing, radial loads outside the center of the bearing ball will create a moment load. For example, a shaft with a bearing at the base can experience moment loads simply from the weight of the extending shaft. Certain systems may also add intermittent loads if additional weight is occasionally placed against the opposite end of the shaft.

While some systems can address moment loads with multiple bearings, others do not have that option due to either the design itself or space limitations. In these occasions, you’ll need to invest in bearings that can accommodate constant and intermittent moment loads to assure proper performance.

Which Thin Section Bearings are Best for Moment Loads?

Space limitations can make the process of addressing moment loads difficult, which is why thin section bearings can be a great solution. There are three different types of thin section bearings to consider:

• Type A – Angular contact thin section bearings
• Type C – Radial ball thin section bearings
• Type X – Four-point contact thin section bearings

If you’re planning to use a single bearing to account for moment loads, four-point contact thin section bearings offer the best load bearing capabilities. These bearings are made with a gothic archway that creates four points of contact between the balls in the bearing and the raceway. This design provides ample moment loading in a single, small package, making it a go-to option in many situations.

If you only need to accommodate light or moderate moment loads, radial ball thin section bearings are also a suitable choice – especially if you’re dealing with ample radial loads as well.

In general, Type A is not a great option for moment loads if you plan to use a single bearing. However, duplex Type A pairs are very capable of handling extreme moment loads if you’re less concerned about bearing size.

Invest in the Right Thin Section Bearings for Your Loading Needs

Every application offers specific challenges. Whether you’re dealing with moment loads, space constraints, or some other issue, SSB can help you identify a bearing solution tailored to your needs. Use our online product builder to select the parts you need or contact us today to talk to our experts about a custom thin section bearing solution for your application.

Every type of bearing can play a key role in specific situations. For some applications, thin section turntable bearings are the perfect parts for your system. As with each style, thin section turntable bearings offer some distinct benefits that can address key design issues. Let’s break down some reasons why it can make sense to turn to turntable bearings.

Turntable Mounting Capabilities

One of the most notable visual aspects of turntable bearings are the holes that run through both the inner and outer rings. Of course, those holes are there for more than just aesthetic purposes – they allow for easy mounting directly to a seating surface instead of a shaft or in a housing. This design gives turntable bearings a lazy Susan-like effect that can open your systems up to new possibilities.

Space Constraints

Turntable bearings are sometimes referred to as slewing ring bearings, but the thin section equivalent of these parts is significantly smaller than their slewing ring counterparts. While more compact in size and lighter in weight, thin section turntable bearings don’t lack in performance. That’s a major advantage for any applications that need to save on space or reduce weight, such as:

• X-ray equipment
• Antenna mounts
• Bottling equipment
• Food processing equipment
• Instrument mounts
• Medical equipment
• Military equipment
• Oil well equipment

Load Acceptance

While small in size, thin section turntable bearings offer ample load-carrying capacity in certain situations. A great example of this would be a Thin Section Turntable X-Type 4-Point Contact Bearing used at the base of a robotic arm. If the arm needs to pick up items, that would create a moment load for a bearing at the base of the shaft. The gothic archway of a turntable thin section bearing makes it capable of handling extreme moment loads.

In addition to moment loads, X-Type turntable bearings are excellent at handling reversing loads and good at dealing with axial/thrust loads. Turntable bearings do struggle with radial and combined loads, so you may need to find an additional solution to address those concerns if they are present in your system.

Are Thin Section Turntable Bearings Right for Your Systems?

If the benefits listed above apply to your applications, it may be time to invest in thin section turntable bearings. However, it’s not always easy to figure out which specific parts are perfect for your needs. Our experts can work with you to discuss your designs and identify a bearing solution that address your performance needs, whether that calls for a standard part or a customized bearing optimized for your systems.

Ready to invest in the right thin section bearings for your applications? Use our online product builder to select the parts you need or contact us today to talk to our experts about your bearing needs.