Ball Bearings Are Flat ? Another Myth Crushed Incredible but
unrelated things I learned working on the Internet By David
Leonhardt
What shape are ball bearings? They are shaped like a ball, as
everyone knows, right?
The funny thing about what everyone knows is that everyone can
be wrong. For instance, everybody thinks that the America's Cup
is an ocean-sailing race, and yet the Swiss managed to win the
Cup. For those readers who are geographically-challenged,
Switzerland is a land-locked country comprised entirely of
mountains.
What does this have to do with ball bearings. Very little, I
suspect, but balls have very little to do with ball bearings,
either. Ball bearings look more like hula hoops. But don't try
using them for that ? you will find them inconveniently heavy
and painfully small.
You can view a picture of a ball bearing in the middle of this
ball
bearing supplier page.
So what are those stunted metal tube donuts called ball bearings
for anyway? Are they used as a spare wheel? Do they hold in evil
shop-floor spirits? No, they help things move more efficiently.
In an early demonstration of bearing usage, three ladies pulled
a locomotive (It was just a demonstration, not a career
development).
Many bearings look very similar, whether they are ball bearings,
roller bearings or other bearings. What?! Other bearings?
What is a ball bearing, anyway?
Ball bearings are formed with an outer ring, an inner ring, a
cage or a retainer inside, and a rolling element inside,
typically a ball (which is why they are called ball bearings).
Roller bearings are formed using a roller instead of a ball,
which is why they are called roller bearings (Yes, finally
something that makes sense!). Other bearings look just like
metal tubes, called plain bearings or bush bearings. They look
like sawed off pipe or tube (something my metal pipe and tube
bending client would be turning into architecturally
glamorous structural supports).
The principle of bearings is the same principle behind the
wheel: things move better by rolling than by sliding. They are
called "bearings" because they bear the weight of the object,
such as an inline skate or the head of dentist's drill, allowing
the object to glide over them with incredible ease and speed.
Unlike wheels, they don't turn on an axel; they turn on
themselves.
You can see this in action with some great cut-away
images of bearings.
The balls or rollers spin on themselves inside the bearing,
reducing friction for the machine parts attached to them. It's
much neater than using a bucket of oil, especially in dental
equipment, and significantly more reliable than hamsters on a
wheel.
Once upon a time, all bearings were metal ? like a metal tube or
pipe with metal balls stuck inside. These days, more and more
are made of ceramic or even plastic (like everything else in
this world!).
If you are still confused about why ball bearings are not shaped
like balls, just remember that you drive on a parkway and park
on a driveway. And you can even try sailing your sea-craft
through the Swiss Alps. But don't try playing a game of one-on
one basketbearing.
About the author:
David Leonhardt is a Canadian writer & SEO
consultant in Ottawa. He wrote this article for G&M Ball Bearings and Taper
Roller Bearings. Check out their full product line of roller bearings &
ball bearing products.
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