Mechanical Bearings

A bearing is a mechanical device that supports the moving parts of a machine and to guide or confine its motion, while preventing motion in the direction of applied load. Its primary purpose is to reduce friction with a minimum loss of energy and at the same time should control the rate of wear. Bearings are made to support radial loads, thrust loads, or combined radial-thrust loads. Bearings can be located at:
1) Between the shafts frame of the machine, or
2) Between the contact members and the frame of the machine. or
3) Between the contact members and the frame or between the contact members and linkage members.
The two most common forms of bearings are rotary bearings and linear bearings.
Linear bearings are used to permit motion in a straight line. For example, a drawer makes use of linear bearings to help pull the drawer in and out. Rotary bearings help an object move around a central point. For example, a wheel on a shaft rotates using rotary bearings. Rotary bearings can include one-direction rotation and oscillation. With oscillation, the rotary bearings only go through a part of a revolution.