Bainite hardening

Through hardening heat treatment method of bearing rings which gives

extreme toughness.

Ball bearings
Bearings that have balls as rolling elements. May contain one or more
rows of balls. They have very low friction and can operate at high speed.
Used at moderate loads. The picture shows a deep groove ball bearing.

Ball bearings versus roller bearings

The main difference in the performance of these two bearing types is that
ball bearings have lower friction than roller bearings, while roller bearings
have higher load carrying capacity.

Ball screws
Ball screws have one or more circuits of balls interspaced between a
screw shaft and nut. As the screw or nut is rotated, the balls roll in helical
grooves formed by the threads.Each circuit has a return device that
recirculates the balls to form a closed path. The high efficiency screws
offer an opportunity to displace loads by transforming rotary motion into
linear motion. The balls transfer the load under very low friction, whereas
the Acme sliding screw typically consists of a steel shaft with trapezoidal
thread and a bronze nut.Replacing sliding friction with rolling friction
increases the efficiency of the screw from ~30% to ~90%. See also
http://linearmotion.skf.com

Balls
Of all components mass-produced within industry, the precision demands
placed on balls for ball bearings are probably the most rigorous. For
example the surface roughness of the ball has a tolerance of 0.01 micron
(= 0.00001mm).

Basic dynamic load rating

When calculating bearing life, the basic dynamic load rating C is used. It
expresses the bearing load, which will give a life according to ISO (L10)
of one million revolutions. See also Basic rating life.
Basic rating life
The bearing life calculated with the most simple of ISO equations.

Basic static load rating

When the bearing is stationary or makes slow oscillating movements or is
subjected to heavy shock loads under rotation, the bearing size should be
selected on the basis of the basic static load rating C0. This is the load
that corresponds to a certain stress level, according to ISO, at the centre
of the most heavily loaded rolling element.

Bearing
Wherever there is rotation, there is a need for some form of bearing. The
function of a bearing is to minimise the friction between moving machine
parts and to carry a load. The majority of bearings nowadays are rolling
bearings consisting of an inner ring, an outer ring, a number of rolling
elements (balls or rollers) and a cage. Most bearings are made of steel,
but other materials are also used, such as ceramics. In addition to rolling
bearings, SKF produces spherical plain bearings, with different sliding
contact surface combinations e.g. steel-on-steel or maintenance-free with
special sliding layers and also magnetic bearings where friction is
eliminated because the moving parts are separated by a magnetic field.
The SKF standard product range comprises more than 5,000 variants
covering all the principal bearing types.

Bearing accessories
Sleeves, nuts, spanners and washers for locking, sealing and spacing are
called bearing accessories.

Bearing components
The bearing components are the inner and outer ring, the rolling
elements and the cage.

Bearing failure analysis

SKF has the means for calculating the life of a bearing with considerable
accuracy. If for various reasons however, a bearing does not attain its
calculated life (see Bearing-failure), the failed bearing should be
examined to find the cause of the damage. Corrective action can then be
taken to prevent any recurrence.
Bearing failure due to electric current
Passage of electric current across the rings and rolling elements damages
the contact surfaces and the lubricant. A process similar to electric arc
welding, with very high localised temperatures occurring, causes this
damage.
In the picture, the ball on the left has a dull surface due to multiple micro
craters from passage of current. For comparison, an undamaged ball is
shown on the right.

Bearing failure
Only a fraction of all bearings in use fail, and the main reasons are:
- Poor lubrication
- Contamination
- Faulty mounting
- Careless handling
- Fatigue
The picture shows flaking due to faulty mounting. The mounting force has
passed through the balls and made indentations in the raceway, causing
flaking.

Bearing fatigue
Fatigue cracks in the raceways can originate from sub-surface stress
raisers like slag inclusions or from an indentation in the surface. As the
rolling elements pass over the cracks, fragments of material break away
and this is known as flaking. The flaking increases over time and
eventually leads to bearing failure. The pictures show the gradual
development of flaking.

Bearing housing
The structure in which a rolling bearing is mounted for protection and
support. Often made of cast iron or plastic and used in many different
applications, such as fans, papermaking machines etc. A wide range of
standard bearing housings simplifies bearing arrangements.

Bearing internal clearance

The total distance that one bearing ring can be moved relative to the
other in either the axial or radial direction. In the figure, the left shows
radial clearance and the right, axial clearance.

Bearing life
Bearing basic rating life is defined as the number of revolutions a bearing Bearing basic rating life
is capable of enduring before the first signs of flaking occur on one of the L10 = Millions of revolutions or
operating hours at a given
rings or rolling elements.But there are also other ways to define bearing speed
life:
- Service life = Real life in operation
- Specification life = Specified e.g. by the electric motor manufacturer

Bearing steel
The steel from which rolling bearings are produced is vital to bearing
quality, and SKF's Ovako Steel produces the cleanest steel in the world.
The steel must be suitable for hardening, and have good fatigue strength
and wear resistance. Precise analysis and freedom from inclusions are
factors critical to the operational life of the bearing, and the structural
and dimensional stability of the bearing components must be satisfactory
at the operating temperatures which can be expected.
See also www.ovako.com

Bearing units
Products in which the bearing has been integrated with other components
in a single unit. The bearing is often greased for its entire lifetime. The
picture shows a hub bearing unit for cars.

Bearing precision classes Examples of higher precision

Rolling bearings are precision products, but sometimes even higher than tolerance classes of equal
value:
normal precision is required e.g. in machine tool spindles. For such SKF ISO ABEC
applications, several higher precision tolerance classes are available PA9A ISO 2 ABEC 9
according to SK17, ISO or ABEC specifications. (ABEC = Annular Bearing
Engineers Committee).

BEAST
BEAring Simulation Tool, developed by SKF, is a very advanced
computer-based 3D tool used to simulate different types of bearings. It
replaces expensive and time consuming laboratory tests and is regarded
as a virtual test rig.

Bogie-monitoring system (BoMo)

SKF and Sécheron have jointly developed a highly sophisticated bogie-
monitoring system, BoMo. The axleboxes are equipped with compact and
integrated multifunction sensors. The sensors for instance, monitor wheel
condition and risk of derailment, and generate warning signals.

BoMo
See Bogie-monitoring system.
Brake-by-wire
SKF and Brembo have jointly developed an electromechanical brake
calliper which incorporates SKF actuators.The braking-system control is
mounted on the Guida (see By-Wire Technology) and activated by
squeezing handgrips. The mechanical design of the driver's braking
controls incorporates progressive resistance and a small but clearly
discernible free-play at the beginning of the movement. This provides the
driver with a tactile indication that the brakes are starting to operate.
Each brake is controlled as an individual sub-system under an overall Prototype SKF and Brembo
control arrangement for the complete vehicle braking system. Brake-by wire calliper

Brembo S.p.A
Italian brake manufacturer collaborating with SKF in brake-by-wire
development.

Bushings
SKF now has an extensive range of bushings comprising many different
types - from traditional solid bronze to maintenance-free SKF Filament
Wound bushings. A wide stock assortment ensures prompt delivery.

By-wire technology
In by-wire systems, direct mechanical control of a machine is replaced by
electronic control. The drive-by-wire system follows the fly-by-wire
concepts used successfully by the aerospace industry. In conventional
control, the movements the driver makes with the steering wheel are
transmitted mechanically to the front wheels. In a by-wire system, the
driver's physical movement on the steering wheel is sensed and
converted into a digital electronic signal that is transmitted to a smart Guida - drivers
electro-mechanical actuation unit that controls the wheels. The same
principle can be applied to the braking and gearbox systems. This is
control - with the
aircraft technology applied on automotive applications. brake-by-wire
See also Drive-by-wire. calliper, steering
actuator and clutch
actuator

Seal
A seal is a steel or rubber component that has
several important uses. It separates a machine
element from the outside world, stops dirt and
moisture from entering and prevents lubricants
from leaking to the outside. In a bearing the
seal is mounted between the outer and inner
ring, or around the shaft outside the bearing. In
certain applications e.g. heavily contaminated
environments, the seal is crucial to the
functioning of the bearing. Other kinds of seals
include valve stem seals, shock absorber seals
and crank shaft seals.
Sealed or shielded bearings
Bearings with integral seals are environment
friendly as in most cases, they are lubricated
once for life and no grease leakage occurs.
Grease consumption is reduced and the
bearings are kept clean during mounting and
operation.Sealed spherical roller bearings
however, can be relubricated through the
annular groove and lubrication holes in the
outer ring.

Sécheron
Collaboration partner to SKF in the
development of the railway bogie-monitoring
system.

Self-aligning ball bearing

This famous bearing type, invented in 1907 by
SKF's founder Sven Wingquist, solved one of
the biggest industrial problems of the time - the
continual production stoppages caused by
bearing failure.
As alignment of the shafts was not accurate
enough for the rigid ball bearings normally
used, the bearings failed due to misalignment.
The two-row self-aligning ball bearings
accommodated the misalignment without
reducing service life, and thus the problem was
solved.
See also www.iec.skf.com

Self-alignment
The ability of a bearing to accommodate a
certain misalignment between the shaft and
housing without any reduction in bearing life.

Self-healing bearings
The VU091 bearing is a new SKF-patented
bearing design, with built-in capability for
reducing both wear and fatigue-promoting
stress concentrations on rolling surfaces. For
this design, one steel ball in a deep groove ball
bearing has been replaced by a ceramic ball,
resulting in a considerable increase in wear
resistance when compared with a conventional
all-steel bearing.
The new SKF VU091 design has clear
advantages in a wide range of applications,
such as in industrial gearboxes, fluid machinery
and power tools.
Sensor
SKF sensor consists of an impulse ring, a sensor
body and a connecting cable. The magnetic
impulse ring is divided into a sequence of north
and south poles and attached to the bearing
inner ring. When the impulse ring rotates, the
sensor produces a pulse signal output. The
sensor provides accurate measuring down to
zero speed.

Sensor bearing units

Mechatronic machine components covering the
fields of both sensor and bearing engineering.
Sensor body, impulse ring and bearing are
mechanically attached to each other, forming
an integral ready-to-mount unit. When the
inner ring rotates, the impulse ring moves past
the stationary sensor ring, generating a
magnetic field of changing polarity. SKF sensor
bearing units are used for recording number of
revolutions, speed, direction of rotation, relative
position, acceleration and deceleration.

Shaft
A revolving metal rod that carries wheels, gears
etc. and is supported by bearings. It transmits
motion and power. The picture shows a large
gearbox with three shafts.

Shaft couplings
Component in two halves often flanged. Used to
connect two shafts to transmit torque and
rotational motion. To accommodate minor
misalignment between the shafts, the torque is
usually transmitted by some form of flexible
elements. The picture shows a coupling which
transmits the torque through gears.See also
'OK couplings' and http://couplings.skf.com

SH bushings
Clamp bushings for easy and safe mounting of
wheels, pulleys, etc. on to a shaft. The design is
based on an SKF patented multi-tapered sleeve
arrangement which at drive up, expands and
clamps the wheel on the shaft. The bushing is
easy to fit and dismount. The SH principle is
shown in the figure.

Shock absorber seal

Sealing ring, specially designed for short,
shock-loaded axial movements.

Single-ceramic rolling element bearings

See 'Self-healing bearings'

SKF companies
See www.skf.com

SKF Copperhead™ System

An SKF system consisting of high performance
bearings for vibrating applications equipped
with sensors and combined with cost-effective
fault detection technology.The system offers
extended performance and reduced
maintenance, and monitoring of machine
condition in vibrating screens and other
vibrating equipment.See also www.

SKF divisions
SKF is divided into five divisions:
- Industrial Division
- Automotive Division
- Electrics Division
- Service Division
- Aero and Steel Division
Read more on www.skf.com

SKF Explorer
The new performance class for rolling bearings,
which means substantially extended
life.Achieved by a combination of new material,
new manufacturing processes and new bearing
knowledge.

SKF trademarks and brands

Trademarks and brands are the most obvious
public faces of our company and are seen as
guarantees of SKF's quality worldwide.
Read more on www.skf.com/about skf

SKF Engineering & Research Centre

SKF's product research is centralised at one
high-powered centre, the SKF Engineering &
Research Centre (ERC) at Nieuwegein in the
Netherlands. This centre is complemented with
product development and testing facilities, as
well as manufacturing technology development
centres around the globe.

SKF European Distribution Centre

SKF's central warehouse in Tongeren, Belgium.
See also www.skflogisticsservices.com
SKF AquaMax
A water pump for cars, with a mechanical seal
unit that virtually eliminates premature leaks.
The blue anti-corrosion impeller is based on
aerospace technology, and minimises
contamination problems. Superior hydraulic
performance also reduces the car's fuel
consumption.

SKF Life Method

A method for calculating bearing life, which is
an extension of the classic ISO L10 life The above formula is a
calculation but in agreement with Amendment 2 simplfied catalogue version of
the SKF Life Method. The a
(ISO 281, 15-2-2000). It takes into account the
SKF factor represents a
fatigue load limit and several other factors complex relationship of
related to lubrication and contamination. several factors incuding
SKF Life Method is the tool for accurately lubrication conditions.
predicting bearing life, provided the operating
conditions are well known.

SKF Life Theory

The theory behind the SKF Life Method first
published in 1985 (ASME Journal of Tribology,
Vol. 107, 367-378, 1985, 'A new fatigue life
model for rolling bearings') by Ioannides and
Harris.

SKF profiles
SKF honours some of the many people who
have made remarkable achievements in the
bearing field over the last century. Their
contributions have led to significant
technological progress, and the most important
names are described below:

Wingquist, Sven
The founder of SKF and a technical genius and
visionary. His invention of the self-aligning ball
bearing in 1907 solved one of the major
industrial problems of the time - the continual
production stoppages caused by bearing failures
due to misaligned shafts. Wingquist realised
that the self-aligning ball bearing could be used Wingquist, Sven.
all over the world, and by 1908 he opened the
first sales office abroad. Within a period of ten
years he succeeded in building SKF into a large
international company. It has since progressed
to become the world-leading producer of rolling
bearings and related products.
Read more on www.

Palmgren, Arvid
In 1947 and together with Gustaf Lundberg,
Palmgren developed the first theory for
calculation of bearing life. The theories involved
were highly complex, but eventually they were
able to conclude their findings into a very
simple formula. This calculation was later
approved as international ISO standard. See
also 'Bearing rating life'. Years earlier Palmgren
had invented the spherical roller bearing, which
was patented by SKF in 1918.

Lundberg, Gustaf
Professor at Chalmers Technical University in
Göteborg and employed by SKF, Lundberg
together with Arvid Palmgren, developed the
first theory for calculation of bearing life in
1947.
See 'Palmgren Arvid'.

loannides, Stathis
A mechanical engineering professor, Dr.
Ioannides joined SKF Engineering & Research
Centre (ERC) in 1981 and led a research team
to study rolling bearing life. In 1984 he
presented The New Life Theory to the Joint
Tribology Meeting of the ASME and STLE in the
USA.
By 1989 it was incorporated into the SKF
General Catalogue. In 1999, Dr loannides
published this theory under the title 'An
Analytical Formulation for the Life of Rolling
Bearings' in the scientific publication Acta
Polytechnica, as Lundberg and Palmgren had Ioannides, Stathis.
done in 1947. The SKF Life Method is a further
development of The New Life Theory.
See also 'SKF Life Method' and 'SKF Life
Theory'.

SKF TensiCheck
A wrong belt tension can cause damage to an
engine. SKF's computerised testing device
TensiCheck, assures accurate belt tension on a
vehicle.

Slewing bearings
Large rolling bearings for slewing movements
used in cranes and excavators. The rings are
bolted to the structure and one of the rings is
often equipped with gears, to take an active The world's largest roller
part in the slewing movement drive system. bearing, built by SKF, with a
Available in different designs such as single row diameter of 13.3 m and
four point ball bearings and single row crossed weighing 70 tonnes.
roller or triple row roller bearings.

Solid oil
A mould of polymer saturated with oil which fills
up the entire free space in the bearing and
encloses both the cage and the rolling
elements. The solid oil is reinforced by the cage
and rotates with it. During rotation the
micropores in solid oil continuously release oil
to the rolling elements and cage, giving good
lubrication conditions for the bearing.
Spanners
Hook and impact spanners are specially
designed for the tightening or loosening of lock
nuts. They are suitable for driving up bearings
on to a tapered seating or an adapter sleeve
and also for dismounting bearings from
withdrawal sleeves. The impact spanner has a
special impact face to permit maximum
transmission of the impact energy to the nut.
The picture shows an impact spanner.

Speed ratings
Speed ratings for grease and oil lubrication are
quoted in the bearings tables in the SKF
General Catalogue. The speed rating for a given
bearing represents the speed at which, under a
load corresponding to an L10 life of 150,000
hours, there is balance between the heat that
can be removed from the bearing via the shaft
and housing, and the heat that is generated in
the bearing by friction at a given temperature
interval above ambient.

Speed sensor
See 'Sensor'.

Speed-i-sleeve
A wear sleeve used when replacing radial seals.
It has a very thin wall, to be pushed over a
damaged seal mating surface on the shaft.
As a result, costly and time consuming rework
of the shaft is avoided.

Spherical plain bearings

Standardised, ready-to-mount mechanical
components which are self-aligning and enable
multi-directional alignment movements to be
made. The inner ring has a sphered but convex
outside diameter and the outer ring a
correspondingly sphered but concave inside
surface. They are suitable for oscillating, tilting
and slewing movements.
Available with sliding surfaces combination
steel-on-steel, in open or sealed versions and in
many maintenance free designs.
See also www.iec.skf.com

Spherical plain thrust bearings

Plain bearing with the sliding contact surfaces in
the shaft and housing washers arranged at an
angle to the bearing axis. Primarily intended for
axial loads, they can accommodate combined
loads to a certain extent.
The sliding contact surface combination is
steel/PTFE composite which is maintenance-
free.
Spherical roller bearings
Bearings with two rows of rollers with sphered
contact surfaces and a common sphered
raceway in the outer ring. The two inner ring
raceways are inclined at an angle to the bearing
axis. The bearings are self-aligning and
insensitive to errors of alignment of the shaft
relative to the housing. Suitable for heavy
loads.
Read more on www.iec.skf.com

Spherical roller thrust bearings

Thrust bearings with one row of rollers with
sphered contact surfaces. The load is
transmitted from one raceway to the other at
an angle and are consequently suitable to
accommodate radial loads in addition to
simultaneously acting axial loads. Spherical
roller thrust bearings are of separable design
and self-aligning.
See also www.iec.skf.com

Spindle units
These ready-to-mount units for work spindles
are easy to install and come equipped with SKF
high precision bearings in well proven
arrangements. They have high running
accuracy and stiffness and permit high speed
operations. Used in lathes, grinding, milling and
boring machines.

Split bearing units

The units consist of a split housing, a split
bearing and two split seals. The bearing may be
either a spherical or cylindrical roller bearing.
Due to the split design of all components, this
greatly facilitates bearing replacements. The
units are used in continuous casting, long
propeller shafts etc.

Stabilised bearings
The structure of steel changes very gradually Designation suffixes
Bearing rings (or washers)
over time. After a sufficiently long period of dimensionally stabilised for
operation, usually far in excess of the requisite use at operating temperatures
life, these changes eventually cause changes in
dimensions. Where machinery is operated at S0 up to 150°C
constantly high temperatures however, this S1 up to 200°C
S2 up to 250°C
process will be accelerated. Thus, if operating S3 up to 300°C
temperatures are higher than 120 °C, the S4 up to 350°C
bearings must be subjected to a special heat
treatment called stabilisation, so that
inadmissible changes in dimensions do not
occur as a result of structural changes in the
steel. The bearings should not be stabilised for
a temperature higher than the expected
operating temperature.

Static load carrying capacity

A bearing's capacity to accommodate load
under static conditions, which is described by
the basic static load rating C0.
See also 'Basic static load rating'.

Steel
See 'Bearing steel'.

Structural rods
See Rods.

Supergrip bolts
Supergrip bolts are based on the SKF oil
injection principle. Where rotating flanged joints
must transmit high torques, as with ships'
propeller shafts and rolling mills for example,
Supergrip bolts are a viable alternative. The
Supergrip bolts are preloaded so that shearing
is prevented and there is sufficient friction
between the two flanges to allow torque to be
transmitted. The forces involved can be
predetermined and accurately maintained. The
Supergrip bolts are available for hole diameters
of 40 to 130 mm.
Read more on http://couplings.skf.com

Support rollers
Support rollers are basically needle or
cylindrical roller bearings with a thick-walled
outer ring. The outside surface of the outer ring
is crowned to prevent edge stresses if the roller
runs in a tilted or inclined position. They are
ready-to-mount units, which are filled with
grease and suitable for all types of cam drives,
tracks and conveyor systems.
See also 'Truck runner bearings' and
www.iec.skf.com

Surface hardening
Heat treatment of steel which allows the use of
different steel properties in the core and the
surface. The microstructure is martensitic for
both the core and the surface. The core is
normally very tough and the surface very hard.
System 24
Automatic lubricator which can be mounted
directly on the machine. After activation,
hydrogen gas is produced which continuously
presses out the grease according to a preset
amount. It supplies a constant flow 24 hours a
day. SKF 24 replaces costly manual lubrication.

The SKF ABS sensor, used in anti-lock braking

systems, acts passively according to the
induction principle. An impulse ring with 29
teeth rotates past a permanent magnet which
is positioned in a coil. As the wheel moves, an
electric signal is induced in the coil; the
frequency and amplitude of the signal depend
on the rotational speed.

In contrast to conventional sensors used today, The ABS sensor integrated in

the SKF arrangement has a stronger signal by the wheel bearing unit HUB 3
which the lower speed limit can be reduced,
thus further enhancing vehicle safety.
See also Anti-Lock Braking System

Accessories
See Bearing Accessories

Actuator
See Linear Actuators and Rotary Actuators
respectively.

Adapter sleeve
Adapter sleeves are the most commonly used
components for locating bearings that have a
tapered bore, onto cylindrical shaft seatings as
they can be employed both on smooth shafts
and stepped shafts. They are easy to mount
and require no additional fixation on the shaft.
Using adapter sleeves on smooth shafts, the
bearing can be located at any position on the
shaft. SKF adapter sleeves are supplied
complete with lock nut and locking device. The
sleeves are slotted and have an external taper
of 1:12.
Additives
To obtain a lubricant with special properties,
one or more additives are included. Below are
some of the most common used for grease:
- Rust-inhibiting additive to improve the
protection +against corrosion
- Anti-oxidants to delay the degeneration of
the lubricant
- EP (extreme pressure) additives to increase Additives in a grease
the load carrying capacity of the oil film.
For oils the most common additives are:
- Anti oxidants
- Anti wear
- Anti-foaming
- EP
- Rust-inhibiting

Adjusted rating life

The bearing life Lnna calculated with SKF Life
Method, where not only the load is considered
but also several other factors e.g. lubrication,
cleanliness etc.

Aerospace
The aerospace industry requires very special
bearings produced according to detailed
specifications for safety reasons. SKF supplies
aero engine bearings as well as flight control
systems and electromechanical equipment for
fly-by-wire, airframe bearings and rods.

Aerospace application products

A common name for aero engine and helicopter
bearings. Plain and rolling bearings as well as
mechanical and electro-mechanical equipment
for airframe and flight control applications.
See also www.skf.com/solutions/aerospace

Aftermarket
Customers using machines and equipment who
need bearingseals and other products for
replacement. The bearing aftermarket is
mainly served by distributors. Paper mills and
steelworks are examples of industries in the
aftermarket.
Alignment
In order to achieve reliable functioning of a
bearing arrangement, the shafts connected to
each other must be carefully aligned. Today
this is often achieved by laser assisted
equipment.

ABMA
See American Bearing Manufacturers
Association

American Bearing Manufacturers

Association
The American Bearing Manufacturers
Association (ABMA) is a non-profit association
consisting of American manufacturers of anti-
friction bearings, spherical plain bearings or
major components thereof. The purpose is to
define national and international standards for
bearing products.

Ampep PLC
An SKF company and manufacturer and
designer of lubrication-free plain PTFE bearings
for aerospace, automotive and industrial
applications.
See www.ampep.co.uk

Angular contact ball bearings

Single row ball bearings in which the raceways
of the inner and outer ring are displaced with
respect to each other in the direction of the
bearing axis. By this the load lines form an
angle to the radial plane. This means the
bearings are particularly suitable for
accommodating simultaneously acting radial
load and axial load in one direction. Usually
mounted in pairs to give a stiff bearing
arrangement.

Double row angular contact ball bearings have Single row ball bearing
two rows of balls arranged back-to-back. Thus
the lines of action of the load at the contact
between balls and raceways (load lines)
diverge at the bearing axis and form an angle
of 30° to the radial plane. This means the
bearings are particularly suitable for
accommodating simultaneously acting radial
load and axial load in both directions. They are
also available with seals or shields.
See also Contact angle and four-point angular
contact ball bearings as well as
www.lec.skf.com

Double row angular contact

ball bearing

Angular contact spherical plain bearings

Plain bearings with spheroidal sliding surfaces
on the inner and in the outer ring which are
arranged at an angle to the bearing axis. They
are therefore particularly suitable for carrying
combined (radial and axial) loads. A single
angular contact spherical plain bearing can
only accept axial loads acting in one direction.
Thus the bearings are usually mounted in
pairs, adjusted against each other. The sliding
contact surface combination is steel/PTFE
composite. They are primarily intended for
loads of constant direction and are
maintenance free.

Angular contact thrust ball bearings

Designed to carry thrust loads but can also
accommodate radial loads in addition to axial
loads. Single direction bearings (1) are able to
support axial loads acting in one direction only.
In double direction bearings (2) the upper row
of large balls has high load carrying capacity in
one direction and the lower row of small balls
locates the shaft in the opposite
direction.Double direction bearings of design
(3) are high precision bearings intended for
machine tools and can only carry thrust loads.
See also www.iec.skf.com
Anti-Lock Braking System
Modern cars use an anti-lock braking system
(ABS) for more controlled braking on wet,
slippery roads. In these braking systems an
electronic sensor at each wheel detects wheel
lockup, a condition where severe brake action
prevents one or more wheels from turning
although the vehicle is still moving. A central
computer then modulates brake line hydraulic
pressure in bursts to that wheel, allowing it to
turn briefly under lower braking force. Braking SKF wheel bearing unit HBU 3
efficiency is greatly improved and the car's equipped with ABS Sensor
steering ability is maintained.

@ptitude™
An online web-enabled source for asset
management knowledge that provides access
to the global expertise of SKF and its alliance
partners. Subscribers gain instant access to a
knowledge bank of documents including
articles, technical handbooks, best practices
and benchmarking information, as well as web-
based interactive decision-support services.
See also www.aptitudexchange.com

Automotive
SKF supplies a wide variety of standard and
special bearings, including sensorised bearings
as well as ready-to-mount bearing units, to the
automotive industry for different car and truck
applications. The range includes:
- hub bearings for cars and trucks
- Hub Units for cars and trucks
- belt tensioner units- water pump spindles
- clutch release bearings
- propeller shaft intermediate and support
bearings
- propeller shaft centring bearings
- suspension bearings
- free wheel clutches.

AquaMax
See SKF AquaMax

Auto-Balancing unit
See DynaSpin™

Axial load
Load on a bearing acting in the direction along
the shaft axis. This type of load is also called a
thrust load. For heavy axial loads, a thrust
bearing should be used.

Axlebox
Bearing housing for railway applications
incorporating cylindrical, spherical or taper
roller bearings. The picture shows a taper roller
bearing cartridge unit.