LLG Linear Bearings

LLG linear Bering is commonly used with roller system, pad, or bushing, less friction in motions that act in a straight direction. Linear bearings are used in sliding doors, 3D printers, machine-tool ways, and other automation settings.

LLG linear bearings can be a ball, roller type, and sliding type that depend on lubricant and less-friction area.  Rolling element linear bearings ensure less friction and accurate motion for any standard loading applications.

Choosing the correct linear bearings and right components for a specific application will improve machine accuracy and longer service life.

LLG linear bearings follow global standards and use modern technology and machinery to provide the highest bearings that will support your business. We are also accepting drawings and designs for custom-made linear bearings.

Buy one now! For orders, contact us or send us an email, and we will assist you throughout the process.

 

Linear Bearing -The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Are you looking for a product that can translate your rolling motion into linear motion?

Do you want a product that can provide free motion in one direction?

What about a product that can be used in the most critical industrial applications? 

And if yes, then you had finally reached the right place because the linear bearing is the versatile product you are looking for.

Following are the uses, specifications, types, features, pros, and cons of this product.

So, let’s get started.

• What Is a Linear Bearing?

A linear bearing is a bearing used in the most critical industrial applications, which are designed basically to provide free motion uni-directionally. 

These are also known as a rolling element and fluid-film devices which helps in reducing friction in the moving devices where its motion is in a linear path.

These bearings can translate your rolling motion into linear motion.

All linear slides give natural movement depending on the course. Whether they are ball oriented, dovetail heading, linear roller bearings, magnetic or fluid course, they provide you with natural movements.

Linear movement direction id utilized by X-Y tables, linear stages, machine slides, and other progressed slides to develop both X and Y multiple axis. 

Linear Bearing

• What Are the Uses of a Linear Bearing?

Linear bearings are used for multiple purposes. They have a wide variety of applications. Below are some of its uses.

1. They load a load onto a rail by using the pad, roller system, or bushing.
2. They are used in 3D printers, machine tools, as well as in sliding doors.
3. They are widely used in automation settings where they serve in reducing friction and guiding linear motion.
4. They are used primarily in critical industrial applications.
5. Because of their characteristic of generating less friction, they can move faster by using a smaller motor and drive system.
6. These bearings eliminate the stick-slip effect, which is the cause of chatter.
7. They are also used for guiding motion.
8. They are used for linear strokes and cylindrical axis.

Uses of Linear Bearing

• How Does a Linear Bearing Work?

Linear bearings slide on a linear axis in an orderly fashion. Since they are an orientation, it permits you to move a lot of weight in a natural movement without lifting a finger. 

These bearings are an ideal solution to take the load without disturbing the items linear movement.

The slide rails of linear bearing give you a precise, smooth, and stable movement. They can work under a broad scope of paces, loads, conditions, and space prerequisites. 

Linear bearings are useful in spaces where you need a straight movement. These movements may need significant burdens in a repeatable motion. 

Here is the visual representation of the working of a linear bearing.

• What Materials Are Used in The Construction of a Linear Bearing?

Following is some of the materials used in the construction of a linear bearing.

• Stainless steel

• This material is used in Linear Bearings to reduce corrosion and resistance and increase the high-pressure rating.

• High carbon chromium steel (chrome steel)

1. 1. • Most parts of a Linear Bearing are made up of high carbon chromium steel such as SAE 52100 steel.

• Bronze

1. 1. • It helps in resisting corrosion.
      •  It can handle high loads in rotatory, oscillating, and linear applications.
      •  It has a longer life span.

• Graphite

1. 1. • The graphite act as a sheet of carbon atoms on the Linear Bearings and is suitable for lubricating sliding parts. 

• Plastic 

• The plastic act as a self-lubricating agent. It allows the microscopic transfer of the bearing material to the shaft or rail.

While selecting a premium quality material for these linear Bearing following three qualities are kept in mind.  

• Rotatory motion
• Corrosion resistive
• Self-lubricating.

 Materials Used in the Manufacturing of a Linear Bearing

• What Kind of Steel Is Used in the Manufacturing of a Linear Bearing?

Stainless steel having a high content of chromium is often used in the manufacturing of a Linear Bearing.

Carbon steel or stainless steel is used to make shafts of the linear bearings.

The plain linear bearings are made up of carbon steel or aluminum shafts. Some of them also use stainless steel.

SAE 52100 steel is being used as a standard material by bearing industries since 1920 because it is high-carbon chromium steel containing small traces of silicon and manganese.

4440C stainless steel is used in linear bearings for corrosive environments.

Check this video out to know about the steel used in the manufacturing of a linear Bearing.

• What Are the Features of a Linear Bearing?

Following is a list of features any linear bearing has.

1. Smooth Motion
2. Less Friction
3. High Rigidity
4. Longer Life Span
5. Economical 
6. Manageable
7. Easy To Maintain
8. Adjustable Preload
9. Lubrication Port
10. Self-Aligning
11. Wipers Or Seals.
12. Replaceable 
13. Stable 

• How to Install a Linear Bearing?

A Linear Bearing is installed by following three simple steps.

1. Delicately place the workbench on the direct guide slider, and don’t completely fix the mounting bolts. 
2.  The reference side of the simple guide slider is reached with the reference surface on the table by the set screw to situate the table. 
3.  Completely fix the reference and driven side mounting bolts to finish the establishment 

• On What Factors the Selection of Linear Bearing for Installation Depends?

Selection of Linear Bearing depends upon the following factors

1. Installation space
2. Type and nature of the load
3. Rational speed
4. An environment where the linear bearing work
5. Running accuracy
6. Probability of the Bearing
7. Mounting and dismounting 

 Installing linear Bearing

• Why Do a Linear Bearing Fail?

• Poor lubrication: 

The primary cause of this failure is inadequate lubrication. It includes excessive use of lubricant, too little grease, mixing of incompatible oils, use of the wrong lubricant, and old and deteriorated grease. 

The main reason behind the failure of roller bearings is lubricant contamination. When you see lubricant from your naked eye, it looks clean and free from pollutants. But in fact, it contains dust, dirt, and other tiny contaminants. 

• Inadequate lubrication:

Inadequate Lubrication damages the roller bearings, and this damage is irreversible. Only replacement can reestablish the Bearing to its unique state.

• Contaminants 

Contaminants can be incorporate in many ways. They can be introduced during lubricant production, during maintenance, because of fatigue, aging, and wear.

1. Corrosion:

Corrosion is another reason that causes the failure of roller bearing.

1. Misalignment 

A Linear Bearing fails because of the misalignment of the moving parts of the Bearing and the rails of the Bearing.

1. 20% of failure is because of lengthy times between lubrication.
2. 15% contribution is of insufficient lubricant quantity.
3. 20% unsuitable lubrication.
4. 10% inadequate bearing selection.
5. Improper bearing mounting
6. Manufacturing errors.
7. Excessive loads. 
8. Contamination of the bearing elements and the bearing rails is also a cause of failure.

 Failure of Linear Bearing

• How to Select a Good Linear Bearing?

Choosing a suitable Linear Bearing is not an easy task, but some specifications need to be kept in mind while selecting a suitable Linear Bearing.

1. You should know the general information on roller bearings.
2. You should have enough information for the detection and identification of bearing tolerances.
3. You should know how to deal with bearings.
4.  The bearing selection process should be clearly defined to analyze and determine the bearing solution.

You should be well aware of: 

1. The bearing length
2. The bearing width
3. Its inside diameter
4. Its load carrying capacity
5. Is it open or close
6. Precision, speed, and firmness
7. Life span 
8. Operating speeds
9. Acceleration
10. Dimensions 
11. Price
12. Operating temperature

Check this video for a complete guide to choosing an excellent linear bearing.

• How to Inspect Linear Bearing?

Inspection of a product regularly is essential for it to keep going. Inspect the bearing shaft and bearing rail easily just by running fingers on their surfaces. 

Then check for the thin film of lubricant. 

If you feel the surface is dry, then re-lubricate it.

You should lubricate the bearing one time in a year.

You can lubricate the bearings after every 100 km of travel to increase its time span.

It is wise to replace the bearings before they get failed. This is also beneficial for the business growth. 

Inspecting Linear Bearing

• How to Preload Linear Bearing?

Preload is the negative distance, which requires measuring the total axial positive displacement of the shaft relative to a fixed surface.

A preload eliminates clearance in a bearing and allows the rolling element to slide, and even that allows for races to misalign.

A Linear Bearing can be preloaded by loading the guide block with balls having a diameter more extensive than the distance between block and rail raceways.

• What Is the Main Function of Linear Bearings in Computer Numerical Control Machines?

The producers of Computer Numerical Control machine devices are known for holding back on their movement control parts, particularly those identified with axle developments. 

However, few out of every odd movement on a Computer Numerical Control machine is strategic. Indeed, most devices have at least one tomahawks that don’t need high levels of exactness and accuracy in contrast to the axle. 

Adjusting Linear Bearings is a cycle that happens during the machine-building stage.

Machine developers should initially machine mounting reappearances to approach fantastic evenness.

At that point, they’ll introduce orientation utilizing installations to guarantee that rails are adjusted evenly and in an upward direction.

Linear Bearings for Computer Numerical Control machine doors

• How Much Weight and Speed a Linear Bearing Can Hold?

Linear Bearings can hold up to 35 tons of weight per Bearing. 

These bearings can handle speeds up to 100 feet per second.

A round rail linear bearing can carry 70,000 lbs per Bearing while maintaining a 10 million inches rated travel life.

The heavy-duty Linear Bearing has a maximum load of 750 pounds per sliding block, while the mini-series has a weight of 220 pounds.

In order to reduce weight, you can add more sliders. 

Linear Bearing with a shaft

• How to Clean a Linear Bearing?

Linear Bearings are often cleaned by using a heavy thrust of WD40 until the smoothening of the Bearing slides it up and down.

After the cleaning process, wipe away the excess WD40. 

Silicon and Teflon spray is also used for the cleaning process because it is not that heavy and can be applied easily.

White lithium grease is also used for the cleaning of linear bearings.

• How to Adjust a Linear Bearing?

A Linear Bearing is properly adjusted when it feels smooth while moving back and forth rather than notchy.

Experiencing a slight variation in drag is normal while moving the rail across the rail.

A Linear Bearing is adjusted by evenly turning the adjusting screw.

After that, tighten the adjustable bearing screw.

Linear Bearing with its adjustable friction bearing

• How to Replace Linear Bearing?

Linear bearings sometimes cause complications for a wide range of applications. So, you can replace them with the simplicity of plain bearings. 

Following steps should be taken to order the correct replacement bearings.

1. First of all, detect the type of bearing you need to substitute.
2. Detect the bearing identification numbers that are typically available on the outer and inner ring face.
3. If you do not locate the identification number, you have to determine the outer side of the outer ring, inside diameter of the inside ring, inner and outer width, outside diameter of Bearing, and the shape of the bore.

Replacing Linear Bearing

• Is A Linear Bearing Sealed?

Yes, Linear Bearings are sealed.                                                                                                     

• Single and double lipped seal

Mostly it is a single or double lipped seal offered by many manufacturers.                    But some manufacturers are offering triple-lipped seals as well.        

Double lipped seals come with two barriers between the internal barrier components and the external environment and are used for excellent dust.  

• Front and side seal

Linear Bearing seals do not mean the front seals only, but they also come with a side seal known as the lateral or longitudinal seal. This seal prevents contamination from entering the Bearing.

Front and side seals serve as a barrier of protection from the contaminants for the Bearing.  

• Internal seal 

 The universal seal is an internal seal included in most bearing designs that protects against contamination that gets past the front seal or collects in or around the rail mounting holes.

Linear bearing seal

side seal of a linear bearing

• What Is Linear Motion Shaft?

Linear Motion shaft (LM Shaft) is solidified and ground shaft including high accuracy for rectilinear movement which can be utilized related to Ball Bushing.

LM Shaft utilized ball bushing to have a job as the guide of the ball bushing and the internal raceway of the Bearing. 

The nature of the shaft affects the elements of ball bushing and direct movement framework.

• Do Linear Bearings Need to Be Lubricated?

Yes, Linear Bearings need to be lubricated regularly for their proper functioning and for not to cause any damage to the bearings.

These bearings should be lubricated following the guide manual using grease.

Avoid using any kind of dry lubricants such as graphite powder or PTFE powder because they can deteriorate the Bearing quality.

Check this video out for the complete lubricating process.

 Lubricating the Bearing

• What Is the Type of Greases Used in The Lubrication of a Linear Bearing?

While choosing grease, the grading level of the operating temperature should be kept in mind. 

The grade level indicates the stiffness of grease.

Grade 0 and 1 is an indicator of soft grease and is used at low operating temperatures.

Grade 2, 3, and 4 indicate stiff grease and are used at high temperatures. 

Following are the different types of grease used in Linear Bearings.

1. Less viscous grease – this grease goes best with light loads heaving at high speed.
2. NLGI 1 or 2 grease – this grease goes best with medium loads having medium speed 
3. Grease with EP2 addictive – this grease is best for heavy loads. The EP is Extreme Pressure and uses exceptional added substances to keep the oil from separating under high pressing factors. This sort of oil will give the steel screws a dull appearance.
4. Calcium – uses at low temperature.
5. Lithium – uses at high temperature.
6. Benton clay – goes best with heavy loads at high temperature
7. Sodium – uses at medium-high temperature
8. Synthetic grease – a high-end grease that is used at a very high temperature.

greasing a bearing

• Why Is Linear Bearing Popular?

They are popular because of their use in most critical industrial applications.

Another reason for their popularity is that they provide free motion uni-directionally. 

They are popular because they reduce friction in the moving devices where motion is in a linear path.               

These bearings can translate your rolling motion into linear motion and can carry heavy loads. 

Because of their characteristic of generating less friction, they can use a smaller motor and drive system and run faster.

These bearings eliminate the stick-slip effect, which is the cause of chatter.

They are also used for guiding motion.

• Does The Manufacturer Provide Greased Linear Bearing?

Yes, most of the manufacturers provide greased linear bearings.

But it is better to grease itself whenever you feel that the smoothness of the Bearing is decreasing.

• What Are the Ways to Grease the Linear Bearings?

The most common way to grease the linear Bearing is to check the manual for determining the extent of lubrication bearing needs.

After checking the manual, select the most appropriate grease compatible with the type of bearing you are using.

Maintain the lubrication of the Linear Bearing at the suggested levels for decreasing the temperature and the friction.

Now carry out the greasing in the following steps:

1. Check the grease fitting and its surrounded area
2. Don’t forget to check the nozzle of the greasing equipment
3. Double-check that you are using compatible lubrication for the Linear Bearing
4. Rotate the Bearing and continue greasing it
5. Minimize the greasing while blowing a seal when overfilled

greasing kit for linear bearings

• How Can You Calculate the Life of a Linear Bearing?

We can calculate the life of a linear bearing by using the following formula.

    Lx = (Cx /F)3 x X 

In this formula

• L is equal to the service life
• C is equal to dynamic load capacity
• F is equal to the applied force
• X is equal to service life 

• How To Choose the Best Linear Bearing Manufacturer?

The first step while choosing a suitable Linear Bearing Manufacturer is to carry out the research online.

Ensure to analyze the manufacturer’s efficiency and cut down the options for selecting the best manufacturer. Once you have chosen the proper manufacturer, get a quote and contact them.

After getting your hands on the best manufacturer, don’t forget to check the manufacturing process of Linear Bearing. 

Ensure the highest quality of stainless steel, cast iron, and pressed steel to construct the Linear Bearing.

Linear bearing manufacturing

• Does the Manufacturer Provide Customized Linear Bearing?

The majority of the manufacturers around the world provide the highest quality of customized Linear Bearing with complete services to keep you satisfied.

You can contact the support team of the manufacturer to get your desired type of Linear Bearings. 

In addition to this, the manufacturers also have the services to provide Linear Bearings with varied diameters and sizes.

• What are the Parts of a Linear Bearing?

A linear bearing consists of the following parts 

1. Rail
2. Carriage
3. Endcap
4. End sealing gasket
5. Ball 
6. Retailer
7. LM block
8. LM rail
9. Grease nipple
10. Retainer plate 

parts of a linear bearing

• Who is the best manufacturer of Linear Bearings?

No doubt there are many options to buy the best Linear Bearings around the world, but China is the best place to get your Linear Bearing services done.

China has a long list of efficient manufacturers that fulfill the demands of the customers with outstanding professionalism.

LLG Bearing is also included in those Chinese Linear bearing manufacturing companies that serve the customers with the highest quality of bearings at reasonable prices.

• Does the manufacturer provide customized Linear Bearings?

Yes, you can also get customized Linear Bearings at LLG bearing.

recirculating linear bearings

• What are the pros of Linear Bearing?

Following are the pros of using a Linear Bearing.

1. Linear Bearings are shock resistant as well as corrosion and dust resisted.
2. These are lightweight bearings.
3. These bearings guarantee self-lubrication
4. They provide smooth motion.
5. They have a longer life span.
6. They load a load onto a rail by using the pad, roller system, or bushing.
7. They are widely used in automation settings where they serve in reducing friction and guiding linear motion.
8. They are used primarily on critical industrial applications.
9. Because of their characteristic of generating less friction, they can use a smaller motor and drive system and run faster.
10. These bearings eliminate the stick-slip effect, which is the cause of chatter.
11. They are also used for guiding motion.
12. They are used for linear strokes and cylindrical axis.

pros of linear Bearing

• What are the cons of using Linear Bearings?

It is wrong to say that everything in this world is perfect. 

There are pros, there will be cons as well, and as a responsible company, it is our responsibility to tell our customers the drawbacks of a product and its advantages.

Following are some drawbacks of Linear Bearing

1. These bearings are a bit expensive.
2. Some Linear Bearings produces a lot of noise.
3. These bearings have a complex structure.

Linear Motion bearing