Bearings

Bearings are one of the most commonly used machine parts because their rolling motion make almost all movements easier and they help reduce friction.

Air Compressors use bearings within both piston and rotary screw compressors.  Some say the bearings are the life of the machine.  

Bearings have two key functions:

• They transfer motion, i.e. they support and guide components which turn relative to one another
• They transmit forces

Rolling bearings and sleeve bearings
In a sleeve or plain bearing, the axle and the bearing move in opposite directions on a sliding surface. By contrast, the two components of a rolling bearing that move towards one another – the inner and outer rings – are separated by rolling elements. This design generates significantly less friction than a sleeve bearing.

Radial bearings and axial bearings
Bearings can transmit loads in a radial direction or an axial direction (thrust) and in many cases there is a combination of both radial and axial loads to transmit.

Both designs are available as ball bearings or roller bearings. The choice of bearing design depends upon the application in question.