Types of Bearings for Rolling Mills

A cylindrical roller bearing used in rolling mill is manufactured from STF steel. This special grade of steel was developed by NSK, a bearing manufacturer, after it noticed that the bearings in rolling mill lines often show surface initiated fatigue damage. This occurs when debris is brought into contact with the rollers and forms indentations on the raceways. In order to reduce this risk, highly pure, case-hardened steel is used in a special heat treatment process. This ensures a low level of non-metallic inclusions throughout the production process.

Spherical roller bearings

Spherical roller bearings are designed to withstand severe misalignment and heavy radial and axial loads. These bearings are also resistant to shock loads. Spherical rollers are composed of a barrel-shaped roller, two spherical raceways and one cylindrical raceway.

The design of these bearings allows them to withstand moderate and high speeds, and have self-alignment capabilities. These bearings also feature double-row raceways, with a center flange to facilitate lubrication and reduce friction economy. These bearings are available in straight or tapered bores, which is helpful for difficult installations. One drawback is that they cannot be disassembled and installed.

Four-row tapered roller bearings

The application of four-row tapered roller bearings in rolling mill equipment is growing. They are designed to improve the load distribution of rolling mill rollers and increase their service life. Among other advantages, these bearings simplify installation and have good radial load capacity. In addition, they can reduce wear and maintain high reliability.

Four-row tapered roller bearings manufactured by NSK have high thermal stability and are resistant to wear and tear. These bearings are designed with NSK Sealed-Clean technology to reduce maintenance costs. This technology reduces the risk of bearing failures under harsh conditions by up to 50 percent. They also have a fine structure that makes them durable in dirty environments.

NSK bearings

NSK bearings for rolling mills are designed to withstand the rigors of work roll applications. These bearings must endure extreme temperatures, high speeds, metal particles, and water sprays. These conditions can cause premature bearing failure. Moreover, such conditions can also result in flaking - when small pieces of bearing material break off and form coarse regions inside the bearing. Rust and water can also cause failures, which is why NSK offers bearings with special seals to prevent water and rust from getting inside.

Choosing the correct bearings is crucial for a smooth running rolling mill. Properly specified bearings can reduce the overall cost of ownership and maintenance. NSK has developed an online training module that will help users select the right bearings for their applications. This course will help rolling mill OEMs and maintainers make informed choices about their bearings. It is also useful for people who work in product sales, engineering, and technical support.

Slider bearings

Slider bearings are a very versatile type of bearing. These bearings are made from a combination of revolving and sliding elements, and they are usually made of a solid material. These rollers can be cylindrical, conical, or truncated, and can vary in size and shape depending on the load.

Slider bearings are important for a variety of reasons. They can help prevent bearing failure and improve the life of the bearing arrangement. If the bearings are not well-maintained, they can cause premature wear and tear of mill components. They should be lubricated with grease to ensure a long service life. A proper lubrication system will help ensure that the bearings operate at their optimum capacity and keep the machine running smoothly.

NSK Super-TF four-row cylindrical roller bearings

NSK four-row cylindrical roller bearings for rolling-mill stands can accommodate extremely heavy loads and are designed to run smoothly. They are made from long-life Super-TF steel and feature high-performance cage options. They are precision-machined to meet tight tolerances for high capacity, accuracy, and uninterrupted plate making. If the machine is equipped with an oil mist system, NSK also provides the necessary oil mist fittings for optimal performance.

The four-row cylindrical roller bearings have a high number of rolling elements and are ideal for handling a high radial load. They are almost exclusively used in back-up rolls of rolling mills. This type of bearing is sealed to improve bearing life and extend inspection intervals in contaminated environments. This feature extends the service life of the bearing by up to two or ten times compared to standard steel.