What Is a Bearing Pedestal?

When working with machinery like engines and other mechanical devices, rotating shafts will oftentime be of use for generating desired movement. In such applications, bearings may be used to assist in the support of the shafts without interfering with their rotational motion. Shaped like a torus with a hole for the shaft to rest inside, bearings are available in a number of shapes and sizes for different applications. That being said, fitting a bearing pedestal to your rotary shaft can be time consuming, even costly, when you account for the downtime required for assembly. To reduce these issues, you may consider employing the use of a bearing pedestal, that of which is a tool used for mounting bearings and providing support. For your better knowledge of the advantages of relying on a bearing pedestal, we will further explore how they work to make operations more efficient.

Also known as pillow or plummer blocks, bearing pedestals are the most common moutings used for installing bearings. Comprising three main parts, bearing pedestals provide permanent support for the bearings with which they are used. First, there is a bearing with a hole to accommodate the shaft; this hole varies in size according to the bearing it will host, that of which is typically 0.025 mm larger than the shaft to allow for unimpeded rotational motion. The shaft is inserted through the bearing hole during use and the bearing is often anti-friction, relying on one of a number of rolling elements. Motion is controlled through the second main aspect of the bearing pedestal: the outer housing.

The outer housing of the bearing pedestal works to hold the outer ring or exterior of the bearing in place, allowing the inner ring to rotate freely. As such bearing housings may be split type or solid type, meaning they may comprise two detachable halves for installation or a single solid piece. Furthermore, different manners of sealing the bearings in place within the housing may be used, offering additional protection against unwanted contaminants. The housing is bolted to a foundation through the third main component of the bearing pedestal: a base.

The base has holes intended for use with bolts or other male fasteners, allowing it to be fastened into place without moving during operations. Typically, the components of a bearing pedestal are made of metals and alloys to allow for maximum strength; although, iron, steel, and other variations also exist. Some popular choices for bearing pedestals include angled designs for easy installation that will not require downtime, as well as two bolt or four bolt base designs that allow for increased security. Of course, bearing pedestals are also available with a number of bearing sizes for varying shaft sizes. Whether you are looking to support a shaft in industries like maritime, steel, mining, conventional power, cement, or any other harsh working conditions, procure a reliable bearing pedestal from Integrated Parts Online.

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