Smallparts Cages - Bearings - Technical Information

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Smallparts Cages - Bearings - Technical Information

Bearing Cages / Retainers

The purpose of the cage is to hold and separate the rolling elements (balls) of the bearing.

The most common types of cage used for miniature ball bearings are the two piece ribbon and the one piece steel crown types. The crown type is better suited to low torque , low speed applications. These two types of cage are interchangeable in the majority of applications. These cages are usually made from steel, with the steel grade depending upon the manufacturer. Cages may be made from brass, SAE52100 chrome steel or stainless steel; AISI302, AISI410, AISI430 or AISI440C

Larger bearings (over 10mm bore size) usually utilise a two piece steel riveted cage allowing for higher loads, and more vibrational and acceleration stresses.

Bearings with no cage and extra balls are called full complement type (full complement of balls). Generally these bearings allow for higher loads but slower speeds than caged types. These bearings have a filling slot on the edge of either the inner or outer ring. This is where the extra balls are inserted during assembly.

2 Piece Cages

Diagram of Steel Ribbon	Steel Ribbon	Brass Ribbon	Steel Riveted Cage
1 Piece Cages

Diagram of Steel Crown	Steel Crown		Synthetic Crown
No Cage

Full Complement		Full Complement Note the filling slot to the lower right of the bearing.

High speed applications require bearings with a crown type retainer manufactured from one of various types of synthetic materials including

NYLON
DELRIN^Ž ACETAL RESINS
PHENOLIC LAMINATES.
PEEK^Ž
GLASS RE-INFORCED POLYAMIDE (NYLON)
TORLON^Ž

Please note however that high speed is a relative term. High speed for a 10mm bearing is not the same as high speed for a 4mm bearing and high speed for a skating application is not the same as high speed for a dental handpiece.

DELRIN^Žand PEEK^Ž are registered trademarks of DuPont.

TORLON^Žis a registered trademark of BP Amoco Polymers.

Synthetic Cages

Phenolic (KB or KC)	Phenolic (KB or KC)	Glass Re-inforced Polyamide (T9H or TNH)

White Nylon (TW) Packed	White Nylon (TW)

Cages for other types of bearings

Double Row Self Aligning with Crown Type Cage	Acetal Bearing with Acetal Crown Type Cage

Flat Raced Thrust Bearing with Nylon Cage	Grooved Race Thrust Bearing with Brass Cage

Small Parts & Bearings Main Pages

Technical Index

Product Technical Information

Balls	Bearings	Couplings
Pins	Shafting	Timing Belts and Pulleys

Other Technical Information

Basic Information Sheets	Catalogues	Glossary of Technical Terms
Links to Further Information	Materials Information	Measurement Conversions
Skate Bearing FAQ	Technical Information Sheets

Tables and information on this web site should be read as a general guide only. The relevant standards should be consulted to ensure accuracy

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Site Summary:

Small Parts and Bearings offers over 100,000 products including small bearings, timing pulleys, timing belts, seals, o-rings, gears etc - see the full listing in the Online Catalogue. Our main business is handled primarily through our internet store or via phone, fax or mail order. To keep our prices low we have minimised overheads by not having a storefront. If you would like to deal through an MBA distributor with a showroom and counter service you can contact H.E. Supplies (Hobby Engineering Supplies).

Using the links at the top of this page you will find extensive information including catalogues (Products and Store link), technical data, and other product specific information. We sell our product worldwide through our online store and have quite low overseas freight rates.

The Small Parts and Bearings online store is linked directly to the Miniature Bearings Australia online catalogue, so all new MBA products are added automatically. Recent additions include full ceramic bearings in Silicon Nitride and Zirconia, and ceramic hybrid bearings for pushbikes and other applications. New products are being added every week. We also suggest that you may want to take a look at the technical information sites - Shafting Information, Couplings Information, Gearboxes Information and General Engineering Parts Information.