Ball bearings with several rows of balls for high loads and torques.
Angular contact ball bearings are a type of rolling bearing that are mainly used in applications that have to absorb axial and radial forces. They consist of inner and outer rings, balls and a cage that separates the balls from each other and maintains an even distribution.
The angular contact ball bearing is designed to provide high axial load capacity and moderate radial load capacity. It can support both axial and radial loads in a given direction and is capable of operating at high speeds. Angular contact ball bearings are available in many different sizes and designs, from small bearings for household appliances to large bearings for heavy machinery and industrial applications.
The types of angular contact ball bearings include:
- Single row angular contact ball bearings: consist of an inner and outer ring and a set of balls positioned between the rings.
- Double row angular contact ball bearings: consist of two rows of balls positioned between the inner and outer rings and can support increased radial and axial loads.
- Four-point contact bearings: specially developed angular contact ball bearings that can support axial and radial loads as well as moment loads.
Angular contact ball bearings are used in a wide range of applications, including the automotive, aerospace, agricultural, electrical and mechanical engineering industries. They are an essential component of machines and systems that require high precision, high load capacity and high speeds.
Frequently asked questions about angular contact ball bearings
What is an angular contact ball bearing?
An angular contact ball bearing is a ball bearing in which the balls contact the inner and outer ring not perpendicular to the bearing axis but at a defined contact angle. Thanks to this angular contact, the bearing can carry high axial loads in one direction in addition to radial loads. Single row angular contact ball bearings are therefore usually installed in pairs to absorb axial loads from both directions.
What is the contact angle of an angular contact ball bearing?
The contact angle is the angle between the line connecting the contact points of ball and raceway and the radial plane of the bearing. Common contact angles are 15, 25 and 40 degrees. A larger contact angle increases the axial load capacity but reduces the maximum speed. A smaller contact angle allows higher speeds with lower axial load capacity.
What is the difference between single row and double row angular contact ball bearings?
Single row angular contact ball bearings carry axial loads from one direction only and are therefore usually installed in pairs in back to back, face to face or tandem arrangement. Double row angular contact ball bearings combine two rows of balls in one unit and can carry axial loads from both directions as well as tilting moments. They are more compact than a bearing pair and usually require no additional preload measures during installation.
What applications are angular contact ball bearings suitable for?
Angular contact ball bearings are particularly suitable for applications with combined radial and axial loads and high speeds. Typical fields of application are machine tool spindles, pumps, compressors, gearboxes and rotary tables. For large slewing rings with high axial loads, Franke offers the angular contact ball bearing type LVC with bearing diameters from 100 mm to 1,800 mm.
What is the difference between an angular contact ball bearing and a deep groove ball bearing?
A deep groove ball bearing has no defined contact angle. The balls contact the raceway almost perpendicular to the bearing axis. It carries radial loads and moderate axial loads in both directions. An angular contact ball bearing has a defined contact angle and can carry significantly higher axial loads in one direction, but installation is more complex and usually two bearings are required.
Franke also manufactures bearings individually to your specifications: Individual bearing program