Bearing Solutions For Machine Tool - FNL

BEARING
SOLUTIONS FOR
MACHINE TOOL
APPLICATIONS
BEARING SOLUTIONS FOR
MACHINE TOOL APPLICATIONS
For thousands of years, humans have been using tools for their ability to cut and
shape wood, metals, ceramics, and other materials into desired shapes. Compared
to modern machine tools, these early tools were relatively straightforward—with
simple bearings and guides that utilize direct contact between surfaces. Today,
machine tools depend on a variety of high-precision ball screws, roller bearings,
and lubricated linear guides to produce quick, precise, efficient results.
A machine’s precision relies on the precision of both the bearing and surrounding
components. A highly precise bearing must be paired with housing seats and shafts
with precise surface quality, roundness, and position. This eBook will go into more
detail about the main features of different bearings, their applications, and proper
maintenance practices to keep them in optimal condition.
P:800.225.4587 E: info@emersonbearing.com www. emersonbearing.com Bearing Solutions for Machine Tool Applications 2
WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF
BEARINGS USED IN MACHINE TOOLS?
The three most important qualities of machine tools are accuracy, speed, and
vibration operation. Machine tool bearings are superior to standard bearings in
terms of reducing runout and endplay and having a higher limiting speed. These
qualities allow machine tools to produce a higher level of precision with tight
tolerances. Bearings for standard applications have a designation of ABEC
class 1-3, while machine tool bearings are generally ABEC class 5, 7, or 9.
These are the main types of bearings commonly used in machine tools.
Ceramic hybrid spindle bearings have excellent high-

Ceramic Hybrid temperature resistance, increased spindle speed, and better
stiffness. The ceramic balls run at lower temperatures to help
Spindle Bearings the lubricant last longer. Ceramic bearings also run with less
vibration, leading to improved spindle rigidity.
Often available in single or double row configurations,

High-Precision cylindrical bearings use cylinders as their rolling element. They
Cylindrical Roller are designed to handle high-speed applications and large radial
loads. These types of tasks require the high running accuracy
Bearings that these bearings provide.
Available in high-capacity or high-rigidity versions, these

Ball Screw bearings accurately position workpieces or other parts
on the machine. Each bearing is specifically crafted for its
Support Bearings intended application. Their custom geometries enable them to
accommodate axial loads in two directions.
Angular contact bearings can handle radial and axial loads at

Angular Contact the same time because their inner and outer raceways are
Bearings designed to offset one another. As the contact angle increases,
so does the axial load capacity of the angular contact bearing.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON APPLICATIONS OF MACHINE
TOOL BEARINGS?
Machine tool bearings have unique features, geometries, and materials that are
best suited for particular machining applications. Before selecting a bearing,
consider your application’s expected load pressure, rotating speed, and any
temperature fluctuations that may affect the bearing’s performance. In general,
roller and ball bearings are the most versatile options, used in applications as
wide-ranging as medical device and turbine engines.
When you are choosing ball or roller bearings there are four key design factors
to keep in mind: Contact Angle, Preload, and System rigidity, and Speed.
This is the line of contact along which the ball bearing

touches the raceways of the assembly. This line is determined
Contact by the thrust loading and radial play. Ideally the contact angle
1 should be 15 degrees. This is the optimal balance between
Angle axial and radial capacity and rigidity. A contact angle of 25
degrees will increase rigidity, but also wear.
Preload is a force that holds the raceway and rolling element

surfaces under pressure. It’s a constant elastic compressive
2 Preload force that stops the parts from moving in an uncontrolled
manner, either axially or radially when they under load.
Machine tools generate several different forces that ball and

System roller bearings have to account for. Factors such as housing
3 and bearing stiffness determine the system rigidity and the
Rigidity ability to produce consistently repeatable precise results.
Higher speeds require higher precision levels for a given

4 Speed shaft diameter. As shaft diameters and speeds increase
successively higher precision is required.
OTHER MACHINE TOOL BEARING APPLICATIONS INCLUDE:
Grinding Rotary High-speed Automatic

machines tables spindles screw machines
Machining Water jet Live and

centers machines dead centers
HOW TO MAINTAIN PROPER MAINTENANCE
AND LUBRICATION
Shafts and housing must be properly matched with the right bearings to achieve
ideal accuracy and speed as well as minimize friction-generated heat. A fit that is
too tight risks an increase in operating temperatures and premature wear, while
an excessively loose fit can cause uneven wear, fretting, and potential overheating
issues.
All bearings have a pre-determined life, or a maximum number of rotations it can

undergo. These rotations impact the inner rings, outer rings and rolling elements
with constant load, which leads to inevitable wear. Factors that can lead to
excessive wear and shorten the effective lifespan of precision bearings include:
The more contact a bearing has with a seal the more wear the
Inefficient or Full bearing will undergo. This can wear the sealing element as well
Contact Seals as the bearing.
If the bearing is operating at excess speeds, the friction can

High Speed or quickly wear through a bearing. Excess speeds can increase
Speed Changes sliding speed, which causes uneven wear. Speed changes can
also increase slip and wear.
Poor Dirt, dust and other foreign particles can scratch the running
surface and cause wear. The presence of moisture can corrode
Environmental the surfaces leading to poor performance and shortened life
Conditions span.
When applied properly, lubrication can reduce heat generation,

prevent corrosion and contamination, and prolong the lifespan
of the bearings. Lubricants come in either solid or oil/grease
formats, and the right selection depends on the intended
Improper application. Operators must also follow manufacturers’
guidelines and apply the correct type and amount of
Lubrication
lubrication—too little and the machine will fail quickly due to
metal-on-metal contact, but too much lubrication prevents
heat from dissipating and creates buildup that causes bearings
to fail as well.
CHOOSING AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN EMERSON
Knowing the specialized features of different bearing types is crucial to selecting

the right one for your application. Choosing the wrong bearing—or not having
it properly maintained or lubricated—can compromise the performance and
lifespan of the bearing and your machine. Routine inspections of both machines
and bearings are recommended to provide the most accurate information
about the health of your machine.
At Emerson Bearing, we are well aware of the increasingly strict industry

standards and high demands of today’s precision manufacturing machines.
With over 50 years of experience, we are a custom bearing supplier serving
clients around the world. We have a vast inventory and global sourcing network
to meet our customers’ timeline, budget, and application requirements. We
carry over 20 premium bearing brands—including Nachi, CRAFT, GMN, and
OSBORN—and additional products, including couplings, bushings, adhesive
sealants, rod ends, and more.
We also provide 24/7 customer service and tailored advice on how to choose
the correct precision bearings for specific applications. Our bearing detective
services, same-day shipping, online product catalog, OEM expertise, and fixed
price program ensure you receive a streamlined one-stop shopping experience.
We carry several brands of Machine Tool bearings that represent many

countries of origin and several price points and availability. These include:
Barden, EZO, GMN, Nachi, NSK, NTN, RHP and TPI.
Contact us to learn more about our machine tool bearing solutions.
ABOUT
EMERSON BEARING
For over five decades, the Emerson name has developed and maintained
a reputation for high-quality ball and roller bearings. Together, our two
companies—Emerson Bearing and Action Bearing—serve the bearing needs
of international and domestic customers. The team at Emerson Bearing caters
to global niche markets, while the team at our sister company, Action Bearing,
specializes in solutions for the OEM and MRO markets in New England.
Need Information About Bearings? Need Help with Bearings?

Visit Our Resource Library Contact Us
LOCATION: FOLLOW US:

201 Brighton Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
VISIT: CONTACT:
https://www.emersonbearing.com/ 1.800.225.4587
info@emersonbearing.com

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BEARING

Ceramic hybrid spindle bearings have excellent high-

Often available in single or double row configurations,

Available in high-capacity or high-rigidity versions, these

Angular contact bearings can handle radial and axial loads at

This is the line of contact along which the ball bearing

Preload is a force that holds the raceway and rolling element

Machine tools generate several different forces that ball and

Higher speeds require higher precision levels for a given

Grinding Rotary High-speed Automatic

Machining Water jet Live and

All bearings have a pre-determined life, or a maximum number of rotations it can

If the bearing is operating at excess speeds, the friction can

When applied properly, lubrication can reduce heat generation,

Knowing the specialized features of different bearing types is crucial to selecting

At Emerson Bearing, we are well aware of the increasingly strict industry

We carry several brands of Machine Tool bearings that represent many

Contact us to learn more about our machine tool bearing solutions.

Need Information About Bearings? Need Help with Bearings?

LOCATION: FOLLOW US:

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