Bearing Standards

You can learn a lot about a bearing just from its part number.
A typical bearing is the 6203ZZ bearing. This can be divided into it's components:

6203ZZ
6 = Type Code
2 = Series
03 = Bore
ZZ = Suffix
The method is followed universally

For the type codes

1 Self-aligning ball bearing
2 Wide self-aligning ball bearing
22 Self-aligning roller bearing
23 Wide self-aligning roller bearing
3 Double-row angular contact ball bearing
4 Double-row ball bearing
5 Thrust ball bearing
6 Single-row deep groove ball bearing
16 Thin section single-row deep groove ball bearing
7 Single-row angular contact bearing.

For an inch bearing, the first digit is R.

R Inch (non-metric) bearing.

Series identify the lightness or the heaviness.

7 Not sure
8 Extra thin section
9 Very thin section
0 Extra light
1 Extra light thrust
2 Light
3 Medium
4 Heavy

Then come the bore sizes in mm

Except for 0 through 3, the bore size is simply five times the third and fourth digits
together. 0 through 3, however, are different.
00 10mm
01 12mm
02 15mm
03 17mm

The last suffix is the bearing speciality

Z Single shielded
ZZ Double shielded
RS Single sealed
2RS Double sealed
V Single non-contact seal
Selection of Bearing Type
Rolling bearings come in a wide variety of types shapes and dimensions. The factor to
consider in bearing selection is a bearing that will enable the machine or part to satisfactorily
perform. While there are no hard-and-fast rules in selecting a bearing, things to be kept in
mind are:

Operating conditions and environment

Gather an accurate and comprehensive knowledge of which part of the machine or equipment
and the operating requirements and environment. One may require following data:
 Equipment's function and construction
 Bearing location
 Bearing load (direction and magnitude)
 Bearing speed
 Vibration and shock load
 Bearing temperature
 Environment

Performance Requirements
The required performance capacity and function demands are defined in accordance with the
bearing application and operating conditions.
 Understand the machine and the type of bearing
 Define all demand factors
 Select shape
 Select arrangement
 Select dimensions
 Select mounting method

Arrangement Selection
Shaft assemblies generally require two bearings to support and locate the shaft both radially
and axially relative to the stationary housing. These two bearings are called the fixed and
floating bearings.

Fixed bearing takes both radial and axial loads and "locates" the shaft axially in relation to the
housing. The floating bearing relieves stress caused by expansion and contraction of the shaft
and also allows for misalignment caused by fitting errors.

Bearings which can support axial loads in both directions are considered most suitable as
fixed bearings. In floating bearings the axial displacement can take place in the raceway or
along the fitting surfaces. There is also the "cross location" arrangement in which both
bearings act as fixing and non-fixing bearings simultaneously. This arrangement is used
mainly in comparatively short shaft applications.

Dimension selection
Bearing dimension selection is based on the operating load and the bearing's life expectancy
requirements.

Design selection
The most suitable bearing design can be selected by comparing bearing functions and
performance demands with the characteristics of each bearing type.

Legend :
A = Excellent
 B = Good
C = Satisfactory
F = Poor
NR = Inconvenient or not recommended
- = Not applicable

Axial Disp. Pure Pure High Comp. for Errors Comp. for Errors Location Non-location Axial Disp.
Combined Moment High High Quiet Low
Possible in Radial Axial Running of Alignment of Alignment Bearing Bearing Possible in
Load Load Speed Stiffness Running Friction
Bearing Load load Accuracy During Operation (Initial) Installation Installation Bearing
Ball Single - Row C C C F A A C A A F F B C NR

C Ball Single
C C C C C C C C B NR NR C C NR
Double - Row

Ball Self - Aligning C F F NR B B F B B A B C C NR

Ball Angular
C C B F B A C B B F F B NR NR
Contact

Ball Angular
Contact Back - to - B C B C C B B C C NR NR B C NR
Back

Ball Four - Point

F C C C B C C C C NR NR B F NR
Contact
Cylindrical Roller
B NR NR NR A B B B B F F NR A A
N, NU
Cylindrical Roller
B C C NR A B B C B F F C C C
NJ, NUP

Cylindrical Roller
A NR NR C A A A B B NR NR NR A A
Double Row

Full Complement
A C F NR F C A F F F F C C C
Cylinder Roller

Full Cylinder Roller

A C F C F C A F F NR NR C C C
Double - Row

Needle Roller B NR NR NR C C B C F NR NR NR A A

Spherical Roller A C A NR C C B C C A B B C NR

Taper Roller B B A NR C B B C C F F B NR NR

Taper Roller
A B A F C C A C C F F A C NR
( Face - to - Face)

Thrust Ball NR C NR NR C B C F C NR NR C NR NR

Thrust Bal with

Spherical Housing NR C NR NR C C C F C NR - C NR NR
Washer

Thrust Cylinder
NR B NR NR F B B F F NR NR C NR NR
Roller
Thrust Needle
NR B NR NR F C B F F NR NR C NR NR
Roller
Thrust Spherical
NR A C NR C C B F C A B B NR NR
Roller

Selection of Bearing Sizes

In general machinery applications, the bearing size for a given bearing arrangement is determined by the load carrying capacity. The selection is made not
only in relation to the actual load, but also to the desired life and operational reliability. Bearing size is almost always determined by criteria like
 Stiffness of the system

 Fixed dimensions for the tool holder

 Spindle bore

The bearings based on such criteria often exhibit extremely long life.

Application of Bearings
Bearings permit smooth, low-friction movement between surfaces. This movement may be

Rotary (shaft rotating within a mount)

Linear (one surface moving along another).

They are anti-friction devices, having different anti-friction characteristics. Most of the bearings are oil-lubricated.

Application Guidelines
 Ball bearings are the less expensive in the smaller sizes and for lighter loads, while roller bearings are less expensive for larger sizes and
heavier loads.
 Roller bearings are preferred for shock or impact loading.

 Ball-thrust bearings are for thrust loading only.

 Deep-groove or angular-contact ball bearing for high speeds.

 Self-aligning ball bearings and cylindrical roller bearings with low friction coefficients.

Speed requirements are important factors for proper bearing application design. Useable speeds are influenced by bearing size, properties, lubrication and
operating temperatures. The permissible speed varies inversely with mean bearing diameter. Moreover bearings are generally used for applications that
have no impact or shock. Bushings are used for applications that feature more shock

 Bearing Arrangement

 Axial Location of Bearings

 Bearing Preload

 Bearing Seals

Axial Location of Bearings

It is usually unnecessary to axially locate a shaft by more than one bearing as temperature variations may have a different effect on the length of the shaft
than on the distance between the housing, resulting in damage to the bearings.

The bearing that locates the shaft is called the fixed bearing. The other bearing is free to float on either the shaft or housing seat. For shorter spans
variations in shaft length, due to temperature, are usually negligible and such situations may be dealt with differently as proper adjustment of the bearings
are necessary.

To mount a free bearing, it must be ensured that there is sufficient axial clearance at the side where the bearing is expected to move. The bearing is usually
centered on the seating. In case the induction heater is used, no residual magnetism must remains in the inner ring

Axial Adjustment, it is important to ensure proper seating of the rolling elements so as not to introduce an error in the final adjustment. Rotating the shaft
during adjustment simultaneously pushing and pulling it insures proper seating of the rolling elements.

Bearing Preload
Preload is the relationship of the bearing bore to the shaft diameter and bearing clearance. The formula for preload calculation is:

(Bearing Dia. - Shaft Dia.)

Preload = 1 --
(Shoe Dia. - Shaft Dia.)

Preload in other words is the load generated from the axial interference within a bearing resulting in elastic deformation between rolling elements and the
raceway. It is the axial load applied permanently to bearings to ensure proper operation under external load.

Rigid preload involves a gap between the faces of opposite bearings that is eliminated when bearings are locked axially. It may change due to thermal
expansion.

Elastic preload, expansion is compensated for by the springs. Bearing preload variation is minimal in this case. Bearing preload influences speed limits,
rigidity and other applicable workloads.