Selecting Bearing Accessories for Optimal Performance

Bearing accessories play an important role in maintaining and improving mechanical performance. Learn how to select and replace the appropriate bearing accessories, understand the types, their uses, and how they affect mechanical performance.

While bearing accessories may not be as well-known as the bearings themselves, does that mean they are any less important? Read on to discover their crucial role.

What are bearing accessories and what functions do they Serve?

Bearing accessories are not an individual, but refer to a series of related components used to supplement and support bearings in machinery. These accessories include:

• Locknuts: These bearing accessories secure the bearing in place to prevent it from loosening during operation. They ensure proper alignment and positioning, which increases the stability and service life of the bearing system.
• Lubrication systems: These bearing accessories ensure that the bearings are properly lubricated, greatly reducing bearing wear, and thereby improving performance and extending the service life of the bearing. Lubrication systems include oilers, grease nipples, and automatic lubrication devices.
• Threaded pins: These bearing accessories are used to precisely position and secure roller bearings, maintain bearing stability, and achieve effective connection and alignment with the shaft or housing.
• End caps and covers: Optional bearing accessories are mainly used to protect bearings from environmental damage, especially in harsh conditions, to ensure service life and reliable performance.

Fig. 1 Locknuts & Threaded Pins - JLCMC

When do you need bearing accessories?

Determining the need for bearing accessories primarily depends on the application requirements and the evaluation by professionals. This decision can generally be categorized into the following situations:

• High-load applications: When the pressure or load on the bearing increases and the existing bearing accessories cannot support it, it is necessary to add or upgrade accessories. At this time, lock nuts and threaded pins can be considered to maintain alignment and prevent displacement.
• Harsh environments: When contaminants are more severe than anticipated and the current sealing or lubrication systems prove inadequate, upgrading bearing accessories becomes essential. Seals and shields help block contaminants and retain lubrication, while enhanced lubrication systems ensure proper bearing lubrication and minimize friction.
• Specialized machinery: Machinery with special requirements or specifications requires specific bearing accessories. Threaded pins and custom adapters can meet special needs and meet alignment and safety protection needs.
• Maintenance and upgrades: When existing bearing accessories show signs of wear or reduced performance, it's important to replace or upgrade them to ensure better quality and efficiency. For example, worn lock nuts should be replaced to maintain proper functionality and extend the life of the bearing system.

Fig. 2 Application of Bearings Accessories

Can replacing bearing accessories really improve performance?

Yes, replacing or upgrading bearing accessories can significantly improve performance. New or high-quality accessories ensure better alignment, protection and lubrication. Upgrading under ideal conditions can bring three major benefits:

• Reduced downtime: Frequent mechanical failures and maintenance problems are reduced due to the upgrade of bearing accessories.
• Extended bearing life: Proper protection and lubrication can extend the service life.
• Improve efficiency: Bearing accessories enable the transmission system to perform more fully and run smoothly, which can reduce energy consumption and improve overall mechanical efficiency.

Therefore, choosing the right bearing accessories is closely related to fully utilizing the best performance of the machine. Under reasonable conditions, by constantly understanding and trying to iterate and upgrade the mechanical system, you can improve the reliability of bearing accessories, extend the service life of the bearing system and achieve the best performance of the equipment.

JLCMC has a very comprehensive range of high-quality, cost-effective bearing accessories. Maybe you are worried about the cost of replacing bearing accessories, or want to update existing bearing accessories. JLCMC will fully support your ideas. Check out our JLCMC Online Store now to learn more about bearing accessories!