The ball bearing is a common type of rolling bearing used primarily to support rotating shafts and reduce friction in motion. It consists of an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements (balls) and a cage. In contrast to plain bearings, ball bearings replace sliding friction by the rolling of the balls, thereby reducing energy loss and minimizing wear. This design not only improves the operating efficiency of mechanical equipment but also extends its service life, enabling it to play a role in different application scenarios, such as high-speed, heavy-duty and precision equipment.
2. Types of Ball bearings
(1)Deep Groove Ball Bearings Deep groove ball bearings are a common type of ball bearing. Deep groove ball bearings have simple structures: the inner and outer rings have deep grooves, so the rolling element can bear radial load and a little axial load. According to the sealing method, they can be divided into open type, rubber seal, and steel shield.
Deep groove ball bearings have many advantages: low friction, low noise, high speed, etc., so they are widely used in various areas, such as automobiles, aviation, industrial machines, and so on.
(2)Miniature Bearings Miniature bearings are small, high-precision rolling bearings with a diameter of less than 10 mm. Their structure has outer rings, inner rings, rolling elements, and cages. Since miniature bearings are tiny, they are widely used in equipment with strict space and weight requirements, such as electronic products, semiconductors, precision instruments, and so on. Miniature bearings have excellent performance, such as low friction, high speed, durability, long life, etc.
(3)Thin Section Bearings Thin section bearings’ structure has a small thickness. By improving the structure and materials, thin-section bearings have lightweight, high rigidity, high speed, low friction, and good load capacity, etc., characteristics.
Thin section bearings are suitable for high precision and limited space applications such as electronic equipment, medical equipment, aerospace, and so on.
(4)Flange Bearings Just like the name, flange bearings are bearings with flanges. The flange part usually has a protruding edge to facilitate the bearings’ fixing on the housing or bracket.
Flange bearings are mainly used to bear radial loads and certain axial loads, and can better align and prevent bearing displacement because of their flange structure.
During installation, the flange bearings’ design allows the bearing to be more stable and can effectively simplify the installation process.
Flange bearings are widely used in mechanical equipment, conveying systems, fans, pumps, automation equipment, etc.
3. Ball Bearing Characteristics
(1)Low friction coefficient: ball bearings adopt rolling friction method, the friction resistance is smaller, which helps to reduce energy consumption and improve the operation efficiency of equipment.
(2)Suitable for high-speed rotation: due to lower rolling friction, ball bearings can run stably at higher speeds.
(3)Moderate load carrying capacity: ball bearings mainly bear radial load, at the same time some types (such as angular contact ball bearings) can also withstand a certain amount of axial load.
(4)Compact structure, easy to install: ball bearing design is relatively simple, occupies less space, and installation and maintenance is more convenient.
4. Ball Bearing Application
Ball bearings are widely used in various industries due to their low friction, high speed, compact structure, and durability. The main application fields include:
(1)Electric Motors & Power Equipment: Ball bearings are critical in both small household motors and large industrial generators, providing precision, stability, and a long service lifespan during continuous operation.
(2)Automotive Industry: Located in engines, transmissions, wheel hubs, steering mechanisms, air conditioning compressors, and more, ball bearings minimize frictional losses, enhance power transfer efficiency, and contribute to overall vehicle performance and durability.
(3)Manufacturing Equipment & Machine Tools: Precision ball bearings in spindles, gearboxes, linear motion systems, and similar applications enable high machining accuracy, extend equipment lifespan, and ensure reliable production quality.
(4)Household Appliances: Ball bearings support rotating components in washing machines, fans, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, and more. They help reduce noise, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term performance.
(5)Medical Equipment: High-precision, low-friction ball bearings are essential in medical devices such as CT scanners, dental drills, artificial heart pumps, and similar technologies, where accuracy, reliability, and biocompatibility are crucial.
(6)Office & Consumer Electronics: Miniature ball bearings in computer cooling fans, printers, and hard drives enhance efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and ensure quiet, smooth operation.
