Types of combined bearings and their applications in the metallurgical industry

Apr 24, 2024

Combined bearings are a special type of bearings that are composed of two or more bearing structures to meet specific application requirements. These bearings often have a high degree of complexity in design and manufacture. Still, they also offer unique performance advantages that make them widely used in many industrial applications, especially in the metallurgical industry.

1. Types of combined bearings

There are many types of combination bearings, each with its specific uses and advantages. Here are some common combination bearing types:

Needle roller and thrust ball combination bearings without inner ring: This kind of bearing combines the high load-bearing capacity of needle roller bearings and the stability of thrust ball bearings and is suitable for applications that need to bear high radial and axial loads.

There are inner-ring needle rollers and thrust ball combination bearings with outer covers. Needle roller bearings with inner rings increase the rigidity and stability of the bearings. In contrast, the thrust balls and outer covers provide good axial support and protection and are suitable for high speeds and high load conditions.

Needle roller bearings and angular contact ball combined bearings: This kind of bearing combines the high load-bearing capacity of needle roller bearings with the high-precision characteristics of angular contact ball bearings. It is suitable for occasions where high load and high precision requirements must be met simultaneously.

Inner-ring-less needle roller and thrust cylindrical roller combination bearings: The introduction of thrust cylindrical rollers makes the bearings more stable when bearing axial loads and is suitable for heavy-load, high-speed rotating equipment.

In addition, there are other types of combined bearings, such as needle roller and three-point contact ball combined bearings, thrust cylindrical roller combined bearings with inner ring needle rollers and outer covers, etc. Each has its unique application scenarios and advantages.

2. Application of combined bearings in the metallurgical industry

The metallurgical industry is a typical heavy industrial field, which contains a large number of rotating equipment and high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-load working environments. In such an environment, the performance and reliability of bearings are crucial to the normal operation and production efficiency of equipment. Combined bearings have been widely used in the metallurgical industry due to their unique performance advantages.

Applications in steel production

In the steel production process, rotating equipment such as blast furnaces, rolling mills, and steelmaking equipment all need bearings. Combined bearings are particularly suitable for the support and transmission of this equipment due to their high load-bearing capacity and stability. For example, combined bearings without inner ring needle rollers and thrust cylindrical rollers can withstand high radial and axial loads on blast furnace rotating equipment and ensure their stable operation. In contrast, combined bearings with inner ring needle rollers and thrust ball bearings with outer covers are suitable for High speed and high load conditions of rolling mills.

The picture above is a combination bearing produced by FV Company.

Applications in non-ferrous metal processing

In the process of non-ferrous metal processing, such as copper smelting, aluminum processing, etc., a large number of rotating equipment is also required. These devices need to withstand high temperature, high pressure, and high load environments during operation and have extremely high-performance requirements for bearings. Combined bearings are able to maintain stable performance in such an environment due to their unique design and material selection. For example, needle roller and angular contact ball combination bearings can withstand the high precision and high load requirements of non-ferrous metal processing equipment, ensuring the processing accuracy and production efficiency of the equipment.

Equipment maintenance and replacement

Equipment in the metallurgical industry usually runs for a long time and has a harsh working environment, so it requires regular maintenance and replacement of bearings. Due to its structural characteristics, combined bearings make replacement and maintenance easier and faster. At the same time, some advanced combined bearings also have self-aligning capabilities, which can adapt to shaft deviations and shell deviations generated during equipment operation, reducing bearing damage and replacement frequency caused by improper installation or equipment deformation.

3. The development trend of combined bearings in the metallurgical industry

With the advancement of science and technology and the development of the metallurgical industry, the performance and reliability requirements for bearings are also constantly increasing. In the future, the application of combined bearings in the metallurgical industry will be more extensive and in-depth. On the one hand, with the application of new materials and new processes, the performance of combined bearings will be further improved and can better adapt to the high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-load working environment of the metallurgical industry; on the other hand, with the development of intelligent technology, the manufacturing and maintenance of combined bearings will be more intelligent and automated, improving production efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.

4. Conclusion

As a special type of bearing, combined bearings play an important role in the metallurgical industry. Their diverse types and unique performance advantages enable them to meet the needs of various complex and harsh working conditions in the metallurgical industry. In the future, with the advancement of technology and the increase in application requirements, the application of combined bearings in the metallurgical industry will be more extensive and in-depth, providing strong support for the industry's development.

Please note that the above content is only a general description, and the specific types of combined bearings and their applications in the metallurgical industry may vary depending on specific equipment, processes, environment, and other factors. In actual applications, it is necessary to select the appropriate combined bearing type and specification according to specific needs and install, debug, and maintain it in strict accordance with related standards and specifications to ensure the normal operation and production efficiency of the equipment. At the same time, with the continuous advancement of technology and the development of the metallurgical industry, the types and applications of combined bearings will continue to be enhanced to adapt to new needs and challenges.