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Roller bearings are a type of rolling-element bearing that use cylindrical, tapered, spherical, or needle-shaped rollers to carry loads. Unlike ball bearings that rely on point contact, roller bearings use line contact, which provides a larger contact area, resulting in higher load-carrying capacity, especially for radial loads.
They are essential in heavy-duty applications where durability, performance under load, and resistance to shock and vibration are critical.
A roller bearing typically consists of:
Inner ring – Mounted on the shaft
Outer ring – Housed in the bearing housing
Rolling elements – Cylindrical or shaped rollers
Cage – Holds and spaces the rollers evenly
Seals/Shields (optional) – Protect against dust and contamination
Working Principle:
As the shaft rotates, the rollers roll between the inner and outer raceways. Due to line contact, they distribute load over a wider surface, allowing them to withstand heavier radial and combined loads with reduced stress and wear.
Cylindrical
Roller Bearing
Structure: Cylindrical rollers between inner and outer raceways
Contact: Line contact (roller to raceway)
Load Type: High radial load only
Speed: Suitable for high-speed applications
Alignment Tolerance: Low
Variants: Single row (NU, NJ, NUP), double row, full complement (without cage)
Applications: Electric motors, gearboxes, machine tools
Spherical
Roller Bearing
Structure: Barrel-shaped rollers; outer ring has a spherical raceway
Load Type: High radial and moderate axial load
Misalignment Capability: Excellent (up to 3°–5°)
Shock Load Resistance: Very good
Applications: Heavy machinery, mining equipment, vibrating screens, wind turbines
Tapered
Roller Bearing
Structure: Conical rollers and raceways; designed for combined loads
Load Type: High radial and axial load in one direction
Mounting: Often used in pairs (face-to-face or back-to-back)
Adjustable Clearance: Yes (preload possible)
Applications: Automotive wheels, gearboxes, agriculture, railways
Needle
Roller Bearing
Structure: Thin, long cylindrical rollers (length >> diameter)
Load Type: High radial load in compact space
Space Efficiency: Very high – low cross-section
Variants: With or without inner ring, cage-guided, full complement
Applications: Transmissions, automotive components, compressors
JMD Industrial Solutions offers a wide range and different types of Bearings that are used in different applications. The most common types of bearings are ball bearings, roller bearings, and plain bearings, and JMD has a complete range of sizes in these bearings.
JMD works with an extensive range of brands and a wide network of bearing manufacturers, so you'll be able to find any bearing you need.
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