Things to Consider While Choosing a Bearing Housing

Across a myriad of industries, bearings are used to mitigate the movement of rotating shafts and other parts while protecting nearby parts from vibrations. Additionally, bearings are used to support countless important operations in different applications because of their versatility; thus, they experience a great deal of wear and tear over the duration of their lives, but frequent repairs or replacements can become costly. To secure your bearings in place, you may consider procuring a bearing house, a protective outer frame to hold your bearing securely in place. Depending on your specific application, there are a few factors to consider prior to purchase, as bearing housings vary in design. For your better understanding of the basic elements of a bearing housing, this blog will explore the varying components that make up a secure and supportive apparatus.

When using a bearing housing, the motion of your bearing will not change, but it will be contained. Rotation of the bearing within the housing’s hole will continue at a steady pace while nearby components may be protected from vibrations. For applications where vibrations are of high concern, specific bearing housing designs that incorporate bushings are produced to absorb the vibrations created by moving shafts and bearings. To accomplish this, such items are typically made from plastic components that may be included in a bearing to isolate and absorb vibrations. A second factor to consider about your bearing housing is how you will incorporate it into your application. Most bearing housings are designed to be used in tandem with a threaded fastener like a bolt. Typically, a bearing housing will have one hole on each side through which a fastener may be inserted before being driven into the underlying surface. This being said, four-belt flange bearing housings have four holes, meaning they support four threaded fasteners for installation.

While there are a number of bearing housing styles, two of the most popular designs include flange and pillow block bearings. Both designs have a flat surface that sits on a mating surface, but the position of the hole used to contain the bearing varies. Pillow block bearing housings have a hole positioned perpendicular to their flat surface, while the holes of flange bearing housings pass through the flat surface. The relative positions of the holes and the flat surfaces determine how your bearing housing will be incorporated to your application.

Some additional factors to consider when procuring a bearing housing include its color, material, and maintenance requirements. While metals are traditional materials for bearing housings, you may consider using a thermoplastic polyester housing for its handful of advantages. This synthetic material is durable, resistant to corrosion, and offers excellent mechanical strength when compared to aluminum and copper. Some bearing types also require certain types of maintenance that can become tiresome. If you are looking to avoid frequent lubricants or cleanings, consider a maintenance-free bearing housing. Lastly, while black is the most common housing color, different colors are available for aesthetic purposes only. As the color of the bearing does not affect its mechanics, considering color may not be necessary.

All things considered, procuring the right bearing housing for your unique needs is made easy by ASAP Acquire. Owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, we are a leading supplier of bearing housings and other top-quality parts from suppliers around the world. Working with AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accreditation, in tandem with a strict No China Sourcing policy, we offer only the best products and services around the clock, 24/7x365. Kickoff the parts procurement process today when you submit a Request for Quote (RFQ) form for any item, and receive a response within 15 minutes or less!