Any moving object has to be supported by a
structure with some component which allows that movement. On the Bearings,
Axles, and Flex Couplings page, two styles of mounted bearings are
discussed, a mounted bushing, and a self-centering mounted ball
bearing. There are many types and styles of bearings, both mounted and
unmounted. Three types could serve as a starting point for classifying
bearings. Bearings designed to carry a load perpendicular to the shaft
are axial bearings. The bearings in a table fan are of this
type. Bearings designed to carry a load in-line with the shaft are thrust
bearings. An example of this type would be the bearings in a phonograph
turntable. A less common type of bearing is the linear bearing.
Linear bearings support the moving head of an ink-jet printer, allowing
it to move right and left. Many styles of bearings can support loads
having various degrees of axial, thrust, or linear motion. A properly
applied and lubricated bearing can have a long life, but a bearing
loaded in a way it was not designed for, or run without lubrication if
the bearing requires it, will fail. See the Capacitor Motor with Bad Bearings
display for a noisy example of dried-up bearings.
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Bearings with bores 1/2 inch and above can
be found at any industrial supply house. For bearings and bushings
smaller than 1/2" bore, SDP-SI and Small Parts, Inc. are good. See the sources
page for
possible vendors.
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