Roller cages are an element that has a major impact on the suitability of using bearings. But what are its characteristics? And what are they for?
Cage functionality
The functions of roller cages are numerous. Let's try to summarize the main ones, remembering that cages are used for:
- keep the rolling elements at an appropriate distance from each other, thus avoiding direct contact between adjacent elements, and thus minimizing friction and the consequent development of heat;
- keep the rolling elements distributed equally along the entire circumference, thus allowing a uniform distribution of the load and ensuring silent and smooth operation;
- guide the rolling elements to the “unloaded” area, improving the rolling conditions of the bearing and preventing harmful slippage;
- keep the rolling elements in position when mounting or dismounting a ring of a separable bearing.
Various types of cages
Considering that roller cages are subject to different types of stress (mechanical or through contact with lubricants, additives, organic solvents, refrigerants, etc.), it is essential to try to identify those that, due to their shape and material, can give the best results in terms of reliability of the consequence .
In this way, for example, it is possible to identify the printed cages , generally with brass or steel strips, steel nails, brass or steel fittings, steel grooves. Generally lighter, they allow greater space inside the bearing, facilitating the entry of grease.
Another common type of cage is solid, made of brass, steel, light alloy, polymer or bakery canvas. Depending on the type of bearing, these cages can be nailed in two halves, with integral nails with two halves, monobloc with grooves, double comb, injection molded with polymer grooves, injection molded with polymer fitting, monobloc in baked canvas. These cages are generally capable of guaranteeing higher speeds and are necessary if other movements are integrated in addition to rotary movement, especially in the presence of strong accelerations.
Furthermore, on the market it is possible to identify steel rosette and pin cages , which require perforated rollers and are only used with large roller bearings. These cages are usually quite light and allow you to place a large number of rolls inside them.
At the same time, we can only invite you to consult our website to identify the cage or other accessory that can best benefit the full efficiency of your system. In Bearings and components you will find an assortment with more than 50 thousand industrial items, bearings, supports, seals, belts, linear guides, bushings, ring nuts, washers, gaskets, cam followers, wheels, support rollers, maintenance products , rollers and rollers, chain tensioners, belt tensioner rollers, ball joint ends and ball joints.
For more information, we invite you to consult our pre-sales support service.
