Description What is a Thin Section Bearing and Ho w does itReduce Cost?

THIN SECTION bearings are a family of bearings designed froma limited number of widths and thicknesses (cross sections), with each crosssection manufactured in a wide range of bore diameters. Most radial ballbearings are designed so that as the bore size increases, the width and thethicknessMofMthe bearing change proportionately. In the case of thin sectionbearings the cross section remains the same as the bore diameter increases. Thethin section bearing family is made up of 9 primary cross section sets rangingfrom 3/16" to 1" and with bore sizes ranging from 1" to over 40". Thecombination of a large bore diameter in proportion to the small cross sectionmakes these parts appear " Thin" in comparison to standard ball bearings. Thinsection bearings are made from 52100 chrome steel and 440C stainless steel. Theycan also be coated with platings like thin dense chrome. Some sizes can beconfigured with seals or shields. Thin section bearings are also made in one ofthree different contact styles; radial contact, angular contact, and four pointcontact. These options, along with several ball and retainer types make for adiverse range of parts even among the limited cross sections of the thin sectionbearing family.


Thin section bearings help reduce total cost in asystem by allowing for design efficiency over standard bearing sizes. Becausethin section bearings have cross sections that don° Ø t change as bore sizesincrease, there needs to be no change in the space requirements, and littlechange in the weight of the bearing, even as the diameter of an applicationincreases. Especially in the case of medical equipment, airborne optical andinfrared scanning equipment, and robotics, the space and weight requirements ofa system are major factors in the overall design and manufacturing cost. In manycases, the price of a thin section bearing is higher than a standard bearingwith a similar bore size, but application and design savings due to reducedspace and lower weight decrease the total cost in the application.

ThinSection Ball Bearing Applications


© Medical Equipment
© Rotarypolishing equipment
© X-ray MRI
© Rotary pipe cutting equipment
©Rotary welding equipment
© Semi-conductor equipmentRotary actuators
©Rotary work holding tables
© Aerospace auxiliary equipment
© (not flightcritical) Turrets
© Gun turrets
© Turntables
© Gun Barrel Mounts
©Indexing tables
© Missile launchers
© Machine tools + Latheaccessories
© Radar equipment
© Robotics
© Radar drives
© Antennapedestals
© Packaging equipment
© Satellite antennas + PedestalsLabelingmachines
© Truck mounted communication equipment
© Food processingequipment
© Bottling equipment
© Optical equipment
© Convertingequipment
© Telescope bases
© Wallpaper + Screen printing
© Cameramounts
© Textile + Knitting machinery
© Optical drivers
© Tireproduction equipment
© Security camera mountsWire handling, winding, Bondingequipment
© Oil well equipment
© Mounts for Sensors + Equipment
© Blowout protectors
© Instrument mounts
© King post bearing applications
©Gimbals + Gimbal assemblies
© Gear boxes
© Slip rings
© Transmissiongear and chain
© Rotary unions + Rotary jointsClutch backstops

Precision Thin Section Bearings Are Special

The SOCARE® Series aremanufactured to industry standard sizes. The bearing widths andsections
(distance from bore to outside diameter) in each series remainsconstant regardless of the change
in borediameter.

Inspection

Due to the large diameters and thin sectionsof these bearing products, it is necessary to address
measurement andinspection techniques. To accurately measure the bore and outside diametersof
thin section bearings, a specific procedure must befollowed.


Appropriate measuring equipment must be used which willallow the inspector to take 3 to 5 readings
around the circumference whichare then averaged to determine the true measurement of the bearing in the freestate (unmounted). This procedure allows for the inherent out-of-roundness thesebearings
will exhibit. When measuring these bearings, special care must beexercised to ensure neither the bearing weight or pressure from the measuring ,equipment affects the measurements.

Installation

If thin sectionbearings are being installed into a housing, pressure should be applied only onthe outer ring. Bearings to be installed on a shaft should be pushed on theinner
ring. Since the majority of SOCARE® bearings are open (without seals),a clean, contaminant-free installationarea isadvised.

Lubrication

Rolling element anti-friction bearings relyon ball and raceway surface lubrication. A thin film of oil or grease should beused. Be sure not to contaminate the lubricant used in the bearings. Ourstandard open (unsealed) bearings are shipped with only a light oil as acorrosion inhibitor. You must lubricate these bearings with the appropriategrease
or oil for your application. Sealed bearings are shipped as standardpractice with 20% - 30% fill of Mil-G-81322 grease.

LoadRatings

Information listed in this catalog such as load ratings andbearing dimensional data has been compiled from industry standard data as wellas ABMA and ANSI information and formulas. Technical information and ratingshave been modified from empirical data and test data from

SOCARE® Loadcapacities show in the catalog are not additive. For combined radial and axialloading an equivalent radial loading must be calculated.

Housing &Shaft Fits

Thin section bearings are affected by the tolerance,roundness, and expansion & contraction rates of the housing & shaftsused to mount these bearings. The " Precision toler- ances & RecommendedFits" shown in this catalog are for bearings with standard diametral clearanceand steel shafts & housings. Bearings with special clearances or preloadsand those which are mounted in, or have shafts in, materials other than steel,will need special internal clear-ance consideration to account for differentexpansion & contraction rates of dissimilar materials.