This section provides an overview for polyurethane bearings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 polyurethane bearing manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked polyurethane bearing companies as of November, 2024: 1.Sunray, Inc., 2.Carter Bearings, 3.Plan Tech, Inc..
Table of Contents
Polyurethane bearings are bearings made primarily of urethane resin (polyurethane). These bearings reduce friction between mechanical parts and support rotating shafts, enabling smooth rotation and precise motion. Polyurethane bearings are known for their high wear resistance and longevity, maintaining performance over extended periods. They are also lightweight, contributing to reduced component weight and improved energy efficiency. With a smooth surface and low friction operation, they enable efficient movement of moving parts.
Chemically stable, polyurethane bearings are suitable for corrosive environments but have a lower load-carrying capacity compared to metal bearings, necessitating careful design and selection.
Polyurethane bearings are versatile, and used in various applications due to their specific characteristics:
These bearings are ideal for lightweight mechanical parts, such as rollers in conveyors, where lightweight and low friction are crucial for transporting products and materials.
Suitable for low-speed moving parts, polyurethane bearings are utilized in mechanical fingers for product insertion and assembly, providing smooth motion and precision during low-speed operations.
In food processing machinery and medical equipment, the sound-absorbing properties of urethane make these bearings suitable for applications requiring vibration and noise control. This minimizes impact on the working environment and maintains cleanliness and smooth motion in food and medical equipment.
Polyurethane bearings operate by reducing friction and providing support based on their properties. Urethane resin is flexible, elastic, and typically has a low coefficient of friction, allowing for smooth motion and minimal energy loss. Additionally, urethane's ability to absorb vibration and shock helps reduce noise and vibration during operation, making these bearings ideal for quiet work environments or applications where vibration minimization is critical.
While suitable for light loads, low-speed motion, and vibration/noise control, polyurethane bearings require appropriate materials and designs for high loads and high-speed operations.
Consider the following when selecting polyurethane bearings:
The hardness of the polyurethane affects wear resistance and load capacity. Harder urethanes offer higher wear resistance, while softer ones provide better shock absorption. Choose hardness based on the application, with harder urethanes for load-bearing applications and softer for vibration absorption.
Different types and compositions of urethane are available. Select based on characteristics like oil resistance, abrasion resistance, and quiet operation.
Consider urethane's heat resistance limits, as it may deform or deteriorate in high temperatures. Choose polyurethane suitable for the operating temperature or consider alternative materials if necessary.
Proper dimensions, including shaft diameter, outside diameter, and width, are crucial for ensuring smooth operation and correct mounting within the equipment.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
Sort by Area
Sunray, Inc. is a manufacturer of polyurethane molding products that is headquartered in Rutherfordton, North Carolina and was established in 1978. The company manufactures customized polyurethane molding products for heavy duty and industrial polyurethane wheels and rollers. The company offers mold making, design assistance, and customization of urethane compounds. Apart from the company’s wide product range, the company also offers services such as recovering or retreading, CNC lathe, CNC milling, and band saw wheels.
Carter Bearings was founded in 1972 and is based in Michigan, U.S.A., and is a manufacturer of high-precision bearings for both standard and specialized applications in various industries. The company provides stainless steel and chrome-plated bearings, metric-style cam followers, and heavy cylindrical roller bearings that are essential in the chemical, food processing, and industrial packaging sectors. The company also offers poly-coated bearings that can be used for applications where noise reduction, reduced wear, and non-marking are important factors in operations.
Plan Tech, Inc. is a manufacturer of polyurethane (PU) parts and components that was established in Loudon, New Hampshire in 1989. The company produces various PU blocks, rods, bars, and 70a durometer sheets, as well as PU-coated standard and abrasion-resistant bearings. These are used in a wide range of industrial processes, including food processing, computer chip manufacturing, and material handling. Aside from their products, Plan Tech, Inc. also offers inhouse waterjet cutting and custom mold manufacturing services for customer projects with unique specifications.
Meridian Laboratory, established in 1963 and based in Middleton, Wisconsin, USA, is a manufacturer of optimal-quality engineered automation and machine products. The product varieties include precision polyurethane slip rings, bearings, and custom-engineered components. These products offer robust durability, low friction, and long life, making them ideal for applications where stability and performance are critical. The products find applications in various industries such as robotics, aerospace, medical equipment, and industrial machinery, where these are used to transmit power, signals, or fluids with minimal wear and maintenance.
VXB Ball Bearings., founded in the USA is a supplier of bearings. The company's product portfolio consists of a variety of ball bearings, including deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, thrust ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, and spherical roller bearings. It also provides specialized bearings for specific industries and applications, such as agricultural bearings, automotive bearings, and medical equipment bearings. The company offers services including delivery, technical assistance, and after-sales support.
Shanghai Lily Bearing Factory Co., Ltd. (formerly known as Lily Bearing Manufacturing Co., Ltd.), established in 2000, is a Chinese manufacturer and supplier based in Minhang District, Shanghai, specializing in precision industrial bearings and components. The company offers various industrial bearings, encompassing ball, ceramic, plain, linear, and roller bearings. Additionally, it offers various products like slewing ring and stainless steel bearings, guide wheels, and polyurethane rollers. Industrial components are also part of the company’s offerings, including chains, gears, O-rings, and sprockets. The company also produces aerospace bearings, such as airframe control ball bearings and aerospace spherical bearings, along with agricultural bearings.
HPU, founded in Bengaluru, India is a manufacturer of cast polyurethane products. The company's product portfolio includes polyurethane rollers and bearings, polyurethane seals and custom molding, polyurethane rods and tubes, and polyurethane sheets. The company also provides custom polyurethane blends to meet specific hardness, resilience, and chemical resistance requirements. Its products find application in efficient material handling operations, manufacturing processes, and mining and construction equipment. It serves industries including aerospace, manufacturing, and construction.
NSK Micro Precision Co., LTD. was founded in 1949 and is a manufacturer of bearings, unit products, and linear motion products based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company produces various products including high speed dental bearing, deep groove ball bearings, traction drive, support unit croxport, and fulride. The products have been used in various application such as automatic ticket gates, measuring instruments, vending machines, conveying equipments, and vacuum cleaners. The company has obtained various certifications such as ISO 9002, ISO 14001, IATF16949, and ISO45001.
Bearings Canada Inc. was established in 2012 and is based in Woodbridge, Canada, and is a distributor of bearings for various industries. The company has an online store and its product line consists of bearings of different shapes such as ball, roller, taper, spherical, and, needle that are required for applications in the skating, cycling, and fishing sectors. The company also offers fidget hand spinners, linear motion systems, plain bushings, tools & lubricants, and, oil seals of different brands for the motorsports and automobile industries.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Carter Bearings |
27.3%
|
2 | Sunray, Inc. |
27.3%
|
3 | Plan Tech, Inc. |
18.2%
|
4 | Bearings Canada Inc. |
9.1%
|
5 | VXB Ball Bearings. |
9.1%
|
6 | Meridian Laboratory |
9.1%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the polyurethane bearing page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 5 | 55.6% |
China | 1 | 11.1% |
India | 1 | 11.1% |
Japan | 1 | 11.1% |
Canada | 1 | 11.1% |