Roller Bearings VS Ball Bearings – The Major Differences

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between roller bearings and ball bearings? At first glance they may not seem all that different. However, these seemingly similar style bearings have very different uses. We’re showing you how bearings work, and what the differences are between these engineering gems.

How Bearings Work
In general, bearings are all composed of the same basic mechanics: a ball set within an internal or external ring. This setup allows for force to be placed on the ball, referred to as loading. There are two different types of loading with bearings; thrust and radial.  If your bearing is working with a radial load, this means the bearing will rotate, or roll when put under tension. Alternatively, a thrust load will be subject to force dependant on the angle. Bearings have been around for hundreds of years and have many different uses, some of which include aiding in rolling (a tire), pulling, applications in hard drives, skateboards, and more.

Ball Bearings
In small amounts of weight, this extremely common bearing is able to handle both thrust and radial load, making it a popular bearing with engineers. When ball bearings are in motion their main job is to transfer the load from the outer raceway to the inner raceway. This allows for a smooth spin. Ball bearings are commonly used in small wheels and hard drives, as well as other everyday applications, but are prone to deformation when under too much pressure.

Roller Bearings
Unlike ball bearings, roller bearings are designed with heavy loads in mind. These bearings are primarily based around a cylinder, meaning this bearing is able to distribute a load over a large area, carrying heavy weights. Also unlike ball bearings, roller bearings are not made to handle thrust loads.

For more information on roller bearings, ball bearings, and custom solutions contact VNC. We have an expansive selection of bearings available. Call us with any questions, or to get a free estimate today at (800) 862-3211.

What Are Cam Followers And How Do They Aid Bearing Solutions?

A cam follower, or track follower, is a type of bearing that comes in two parts. The first part is the cam, a mechanical pierce that slides or rotates in a specific motion. The second part is the follower, a traveling component that moves along the cam’s surface. This bearing is highly versatile and can be used for all different types of machinery, including vehicles and pumps.

The application of cam followers is part of the reason this bearing is so unique. While there are differences in cam followers, the typical bearing is made in a cylindrical roller fashion and is attached to its machine component using a hexagonal nut. This unit is often mounted to its mate using either a yoke or stud style cam follower. This bearing makes for a quick, simple, and convenient attachment.

Cam followers are designed to recreate specific motions and contain anti-friction elements that allows them to take on high radial loads. One of the upsides of using cam followers is that they are able to evenly distribute loads while reducing distortion and absorbing shock through their thick outer rings. Variations of this roller bearing allows for high speeds but decreased loads, and may allow the bearing to hold more lubrication over a longer period of time. This ensures your bearings stay smooth, operate fluidly, and stay free of harmful debris and road salts that can cause decay in your bearings.

Need help selecting a particular bearing for your application? At VNC bearings, we know our cam followers. Already know what you need? Visit our online catalog of Cam Followers, or contact us at 800-862-3211 for more information on how to best use cam followers and get the best life out of your bearings.