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THIN SECTION BEARING OVERVIEW & SELECTION GUIDE
Crafted with precision and ingenuity, our Silverthin bearings redefine excellence in engineering. Deviating from the conventional, these extraordinary components embrace a spectrum of benefits that transform design possibilities. With a fundamental commitment to weight reduction, space optimization, and friction minimization, Silverthin bearings establish new benchmarks in efficiency. Their formidable versatility is matched only by their impeccable accuracy in operation.
Born to thrive under the most rigorous conditions, our Silverthin bearings excel in the face of daunting challenges, consistently outperforming industry expectations. Earning their stripes in aerospace, medical systems, robotics, astronomy instrumentation, and machine tools, they stand as testament to engineering marvels in motion. The cascading benefits of our design ethos extend beyond function, culminating in substantial savings – whether it’s in space utilization, weight considerations, or cost-effective solutions – all realized without compromise.
Our diverse range of Silverthin bearings extends across materials, cage configurations, cross-sectional profiles, internal clearances, and preload options. Lubricants, corrosion-resistant options, contact angles, and tolerance classes are equally at your disposal, accentuating the customizable approach of Silverthin.
Explore Silverthin where limits are redefined, and possibilities are reshaped.
Thin Section Selection Types
Type A
Angular Contact
In applications with axial loads in one direction the A-Type, angular contact ball bearing should be used. This bearing also works well in radial or combined radial-thrust applications. The A-Type bearing should never be used alone to support moment loads or reversing axial loading.
Two A-Type bearings are often used as a duplex pairs. Multiple configurations are available for duplex and superduplex. See Type B, Type F, Type T, Type M and Type W below to reference. Contact Silverthin engineering for additional standard and custom configuration options for angular contact Type A thin section bearings.
Angular Contact Load Conditions
| TYPE A LOAD CONDITION | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing Type | Radial | Axial | Moment | Reversing Axial |
Combined Radial Thrust |
| Type A Angular |
Good | Excellent | Use in Pairs Excellent |
Use in Pairs Excellent |
Good |
| Type B Back-to-Back Pair |
Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| Type F Face-to-Face Pair |
Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| Type T Tandem Pair |
Very Good | Excellent | Very Good | Very Good | Good |
| Type M Single Outer Ring & Inner Ring Pair |
Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Type W Outer Ring Pair & Single Inner Ring |
Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Type B – Duplex Pair Back-to-Back
The B-Type thin section bearings are a back-to-back pair matched set using two A-Type angular contact bearings that are arranged back-to-back with load lines diverging from the bearing axis. Because the A-Type alone can only take the axial (thrust) load in one direction, they are typically used in a pair matched arrangement. When they are pair matched, they can accommodate axial loading in both directions. One of the two types of arrangements is a back-to-back matched set, also called a duplex pair.
Type F – Duplex Pair Face-to-Face
The F-Type thin section bearings are a face-to-face pair matched set using two A-Type angular contact bearings that are arranged face-to-face with the load lines converging towards the bearing axis. Because the A-Type alone can only take the axial (thrust) load in one direction, they are typically used in a pair matched arrangement. When they are pair matched, they can accommodate axial loading in both directions. One of these two types of arrangements is a face-to-face matched set, also called a duplex pair.
Type T – Duplex Pair Tandem
The T-Type thin section bearings are a tandem mounted pair matched set using two A-Type angular contact bearings that can accept a very high axial load in one direction only. This is different from the back-to-back and face-to-face pair matched bearings, that can accommodate axial loading in both directions.
Type M – UltraDuplex Back-to-Back
Single outer ring with inner ring matched pairs. See Engineering Section to learn more
Type W – UltraDuplex Face-to-Face
Single inner ring with outer ring matched pairs. See Engineering Section to learn more.
Type C
Radial Contact Bearings
The C-Type, radial contact ball bearing is designed with deep ball
grooves to withstand high loads. Although this bearing is used primarily
in applications with radial loads, it can withstand moderate axial loads,
reversing axial loads, and moment loads.
Please contact Silverthin for radial bearing use with combined radial
loads with axial or moment loading and for limiting speeds and separator
selection.
| Radial | Axial | Moment | Reversing Axial | Combined Radial Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | Good | Good (light to moderate loads) | Good (light to moderate loads) | Good |
Type C
Radial Contact Sealed or Shielded Bearings
The Sealed or Shielded C-Type contact ball bearing has radial contact, meaning it primarily supports loads that acts perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Additionally, they are equipped with either seals or shields to provide some level of protection against contaminants, while allowing for smooth rotation.
A seal is typically made of rubber or other materials. Sealed bearings are more suitable for applications where the primary concern is preventing contaminates such as dust, dirt, and moisture from entering the bearing.
A shield is typically made of metal. Shielded bearings are more suitable for applications where the primary concern is larger debris or particles rather than fine contaminants.
Type X
4-Point Contact Bearings
The X-Type, or 4-point contact, ball bearing is ideal for moment loading.
X-Type bearings are designed with gothic arch raceways creating 4 contact
points between the balls and the raceways. This design is excellent for
moment loading and reversing axial loading. The X-Type bearing can be used
for other light loading conditions, but is not recommended in place of the
C- or A-Type bearing for pure radial loads.
When specifying this type of bearing for use with axial or moment loads
combined with radial loads application speed (rpm) is a real concern. Please
contact Silverthin engineering for information on combined load and limiting speeds.
| Radial | Axial | Moment | Reversing Axial | Combined Radial Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor | Good, | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
Type X
4-Point Contact Sealed or Shielded Bearings
The Sealed or Shielded X-Type contact ball bearing or 4-point contact ball bearing is ideal for moment loading. X-Type bearings are designed with gothic arch raceways creating 4 contact points between the balls and the raceways. Additionally, they are equipped with either seals or shields to provide some level of protection against contaminants, while allowing for smooth rotation. This design is excellent for moment loading and reversing axial loading. The X-Type bearing can be used for other light loading conditions, but is not recommended in place of the C- or A-Type bearing for pure radial loads.
A seal is typically made of rubber or other materials. Sealed bearings are more suitable for applications where the primary concern is preventing contaminates such as dust, dirt, and moisture from entering the bearing.
A shield is typically made of metal. Shielded bearings are more suitable for applications where the primary concern is larger debris or particles rather than fine contaminants.
When specifying this type of bearing for use with axial or moment loads combined with radial loads application speed (rpm) is a real concern. Please contact Silverthin engineering for information on combined load and limiting speeds.
Thin Section – Inch Series Open Bearings
Thin Section – Inch Series Sealed or Shielded Bearings
Thin Section – Metric Series Bearings
