Ball, Roller, Sherical – Bearings come in all different types and sizes, and they are all used to help reduce friction. But what is the difference between them and how are they put together? Carlos Gonzalez at MachineDesign.com does a great job explaining and diagraming the difference between all types of bearings including tapered bearings.
“Metal-upon-metal contact produces large amounts of friction. The friction adds to wear and tear of the metal, producing grinding that slowly degrades the metal. Bearings reduce friction by having the two surfaces roll over each other, reducing the amount of friction produced. They consist of a smooth metal ball or roller that rolls against a smooth inner and outer metal surface. The rollers or balls take the load, allowing the device to spin…” Read the full article.
