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This section provides an overview for spherical plain bearings as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 46 spherical plain bearing manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
A spherical plain bearing is a type of bearing that supports both radial and axial loads in both directions.
This bearing consists of a spherical outer ring and a ball-shaped inner ring with a drilled hole. It offers an alignment function that allows for misalignment between the center of rotation of the shaft and the housing.
It is utilized in parts that require oscillating and alignment movements. "Rod end" and "rod end bearing" are terms sometimes used interchangeably with spherical plain bearings.
Figure 1: Applications of Spherical Plain Bearings
Spherical plain bearings are primarily used for linking parts or transmitting linear motion. They find applications in the joint motion components of construction machinery, industrial machinery, automobiles, and aircraft, supporting oscillating or alignment motions.
These bearings can withstand large radial and thrust loads in both directions. They offer high resistance to impact loads and are commonly used in cylinder clevises, hinges of construction and civil engineering machinery, and truck suspensions.
A common application for spherical plain bearings is in rod ends (or rod end bearings).
The spherical plain bearing has an outer diameter of the inner ring (sliding contact surface) that is convex and an inner diameter of the outer ring (sliding contact surface) that is concave. A small clearance between their sliding contact surfaces ensures an appropriate sliding surface while providing alignment and load-bearing capabilities.
These bearings are suitable for supporting high static and dynamic loads at relatively low rotational speeds, with the alignment function facilitating easy centering and accommodation of misalignment.
Figure 2: Types of Spherical Plain Bearings by Structure
Lubricated Type
In the lubricated type, both the outer and inner rings are greased through lubrication holes to maintain optimal lubrication. The rings are made of high-carbon chromium-bearing steel for high wear resistance.
Lubrication-Free Type
The lubrication-free type does not require lubrication. The sliding surface of the outer ring is made from a material with high self-lubricating properties and excellent wear resistance. The inner ring consists of steel balls with surface treatments such as hard chrome plating, offering maintenance-free operation and exceptional wear resistance.
Figure 3: Spherical Plain Bearing Geometry with and without Seals
With and Without Seals
Bearings with seals have seals at both ends between the inner and outer rings to prevent grease leakage and the intrusion of foreign matter. Bearings without seals are available for applications where seals are not necessary.
Spherical plain bearings are categorized into two types: those that support both radial and thrust loads, and those that support only thrust loads.
Figure 4: Other Spherical Plain Bearings
This type features an inner ring made of a special copper alloy with a solid lubricant embedded in the sliding surface, and an outer ring with a lubricating coating on the sliding surface.
Spherical plain bearing units are pillow-type units incorporating spherical plain bearings.
Spherical plain bearings are defined as "plain bearings with a spherical contact surface designed primarily for oscillating, tilting, and low-speed rotational motions."
The motions supported are defined as:
Oscillating Motion
A rotational or tilting motion in which the direction of motion is repeatedly reversed.
Tilting Motion
A motion in which the angle of inclination between the inner and outer rings of the bearing, or between the shaft raceway and housing raceway, changes relative to each other.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Columbia Industrial Products is a manufacturer and global supplier of custom composite bearing materials since 1998 based in Eugene, Oregon. The company offers various types of bearings and bushings including sleeve bearings, flange bearings, composite plane bearings, and spherical bearings used in industries such as Oil & Gas, and as an alternative to traditional bronze in the railroad industry. Columbia Industrial Products also offers a fully equipped machine shop with CNC machines capable of manufacturing custom components to customers' specifications.
Triangle Manufacturing Company, established in 1922, based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, manufactures stamped and fabricated motion components and assemblies to meet the needs of equipment manufacturers. The company’s product portfolio includes bearings, linkages, rod ends, Lazy Susan turntable bearings, and motor mounts. Their team of engineers help design the products from quoting to prototyping and manufacturing to on-time delivery. The company’s services provided will assist customers in creating ideal solutions to improve products and increase efficiency.
AST Bearings LLC was founded in 1963, in New Jersey as a manufacturer of ball bearings. The company stocks an extensive inventory of miniature bearings and precision ball bearings that help in reducing rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. There are also linear, cylindrical, and spherical bearings where aligning of movements between shaft and housing is required. There are also other products such as bushings, rod ends, rollers, sub-assemblies, and much more. The applications of these items extend to aerospace, medical, robotics, food processing, green energy, and many other industries
The Timken Company (Timken) was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio. Timken designs, manufactures, and manages engineered bearings and industrial motion products worldwide. Timken operates in two segments, Mobile Industries and Process Industries. The Mobile Industries segment’s portfolio includes bearings, seals, and lubrication devices and systems. The Process Industries segment provides industrial bearings and assemblies; industrial motion components, such as gears and gearboxes; and linear motion products, couplings, seals, lubricants, chains, belts, and related products and services to OEMs and end users in various industries.
Roller Bearings Incorporated was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Oxford, Connecticut. RBC manufactures and markets precision bearings and related components globally, mainly to the aerospace, agricultural, automotive, industrial, and semiconductor manufacturing sectors. The company’s products are primarily divided into two market segments: aerospace and industrial. Both segments include basic components such as airframe control ball bearings, needle track rollers, ball bearing rod ends, and thin-section ball bearings. The Aerospace Segment also includes special machine components while the Industrial Segment also includes heavy-duty needles roller bearings and self-lubricating bearings subsegments.
McNeil Industries was founded in 1986 and is based in Painesville, Ohio. The ISO 9001-certified company is a manufacturer of seals, bearings, and other components for industries such as aerospace and firearms. The company’s three primary product lines are MAXM Bearings, Firearms, and Guide Systems. MAXAM Bearings are engineered to operate in harsh environments reaching 1000 degrees F, immersion in water, acids, and other corrosive environments. Firearms category includes weapons components such as guides, rails, barrels, sleeves, and safety locks. Guide Systems are designed with CAD software, and can be made from reverse-engineered products or developed as OEM products.
Lubrite Technologies, founded in 1897 and headquartered in Hanover, Massachusetts, is a custom manufacturer self-lubricating components. The company specializes in producing bushings, washers, expansion plates, as well as bearings which are used to support medium to heavy loads operating at slow to medium speeds in a several applications, such as bridges, hydroelectric facilities, nuclear facilities, offshore drilling equipment and many more. It also extends to an array of complementary offerings, encompassing couplings, coupling adapters, and bearing housings.
J.W. Winco was originally founded as Ganter in 1894 in Germany. Winco specializes in parts manufacturing. Parts offerings the operating parts segment including handles, adjusting, and positioning parts; clamping parts segment featuring tensioning, clamping, switching, and levers; and finally the machine parts segment with indexing, locking, mounting, connecting elements, guides, spindles, rollers, magnets, casters, and wheels. Winco’s complete catalog contains over 75,000 standard parts. Winco is also ISO 9001 certified. Winco offers free CAD downloads and technical documentation for many arts.
Aurora Bearing Co. is a Montgomery, Illinois-based manufacturer of mechanical bearings founded in 1971. The company produces various bearing configurations for clients in the automotive, aerospace and defense, construction, mining, and agriculture industries. The company specializes in manufacturing spherical bearings designed to accommodate oscillating movements, rod end bearings engineered to connect and maintain alignment throughout motion transfer processes, and journal bushings used to reduce friction, wear and tear under rotating shafts. Aurora Bearing Co. is certified to ISO 9001:2015 as well as AS9100:2016 standards and offers custom design and prototyping services to customers with demanding specifications.
ART Metals Group, established in 1943 and acquired by CM Paula in 2012, is a manufacturer of difficult and custom stampings, thrust bearings, and assemblies. The company has a history of combining traditional techniques with engineering and production technology. Serving a diverse global customer base across industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, and more, the company's products range from metal stampings to ball and tapered roller thrust bearings. It is equipped with a range of presses from 45 to 800 tons and holds quality certifications such as IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015.
Action Bearing was founded in 1965 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The company and its sister company Emerson Bearing are manufacturers and servicers of ball and roller bearings for OEM and maintenance markets throughout the United States as well as the international markets. The company distributes bearings and other products from companies such as Timken Drives, Nachi, NTN, Alinabal, and Bando. The company also provides bearing modifications including grooving, re-lubrication, and internal clearance.
Bunting Bearings, LLC, established in 1907 and headquartered in Holland, Ohio, is a manufacturer of bearing solutions for industrial markets such as marine, mining, and medical. Its products include a wide range of bronze alloys, including lead-free, powdered engineered metals, and plastic products made from quality metals and polymers. Some of its offerings are cast bronze bearings, lube-align mounted bearings, and plates. Its products are sold directly as well as through a nationwide network of distributors and metal service centers.
Accurate Bushing Co., Inc. established in 1938 and based in Garwood, New Jersey, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision needle roller bearings. The company's product lineup includes cam follower needle roller bearings in both inch and metric sizes, stainless steel cam followers for special corrosive applications, and Smith-Trax with tapered roller bearings for thrust load applications, among others. used in industries such as Aerospace, Military, and Industrial Manufacturing, these products are pivotal for engine, airframe applications, and thrust load operations. Its services include custom product manufacturing, precision machine component creation, and specialized assembly.
Midwest Control Products Corp, founded in the United States in 1967, is a manufacturer of flat bar fabrications, tube fabrications, upset forgings, wireforms and contract zinc electroplating. The company's product portfolio includes ball joints, clevises, clevis spring pins, spherical rod ends and yoke ends and ships its products to over 9,000 different OEM's (original equipment manufacturers) and distributors worldwide. Its factory is registered to ISO for all products and product lines since 1997 with NSF of Columbia, South Carolina.
Emerson Bearing is based in Boston, Massachusetts and serves both domestic and international customers of industries ranging from mining to machine tools to power generation to wood products to wastewater treatment to robotics and more with bearings and casters. Emerson Bearing’s product list includes adhesives, sealants, ball bearing, roller bearing, mounted nut bearings, linear motion bearings, rod ends, belts, sheaves, chains, sprockets, couplings, clutches, brakes, locknuts, washers, lubricants, pullers, tools, retaining rings, seals, and shaft collars.
Baker Bearing Company is a distributor of bearings based in Oregon since 1991. The company stocks various items from different manufacturing brands to further supply to its customers. The product listing includes flange units, pillow blocks, split housings, cam followers, and bearing seals. However, they excel in distributing popular as well as hard-to-find balls and bearings such as tapered roller, radial ball, cylindrical roller, spherical roller, and self-aligning ball bearings. There are also Angular contact ball bearings, needle roller bearings, and linear ball bearings and the industries served by Baker Bearing include agriculture, oilfields, industrial, automotive, and trucking
Accent Bearings Co. Inc. was established in 1993 and is a distributor for industrial bearings. Accent Bearings offers a full range of bearing-related parts including ball, cylindrical, radial, thrust, and standard, as well as CAM followers, rod ends, belts, sheaves, busings, bronze busings, bar stock, pulleys, chains, sprockets, gears, speed reducers, motors, clutches, brakes, couplings, shafts, shaft accessories, oil seals, gauges, retaining rings, air cylindeers, conveyor belts, and fluid power process control equipment.
THK Co., Ltd., established in 1971 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer that develops and produces mechanical components. The company manufactures a wide range of mechanical components, including linear motion systems, LM guides, ball splines, ball screws, and electric actuators. It also offers roller guides, slide packs, link balls, linear bushings, and cam followers. Its products are designed to provide accurate and smooth linear or rotational movement, ensuring precise positioning and motion control. The company has achieved ISO 9001 certification for its quality management systems. It serves a range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, medical, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Wuxi IKC Machinery Parts Co. Ltd. is a Chinese ISO 9001 manufacturer of various industrial bearings established in 1998 and based in Wuxi City, Jiangsu. The company specializes in standard as well as application-specific ball bearings. These include bearings for electric motors, moving heavy loads, and power tools. Aside from its products, the company also offers bearing design and consultation services as well as in-house testing for customers needing additional support. It chiefly serves client manufacturers of forklifts, heavy machinery, and farm tractors.
Normelemente KG, established in 1958 and based in Markgroningen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, is a German manufacturer and supplier that specializes in standard parts and machine components. Norelem offers an extensive catalog of more than 70,000 products, catering to the needs of engineers and designers in various projects. Their product range includes clamping technology, measuring and testing components, electromechanics, systems and components for machine and plant construction, and material handling and transport solutions. These products find applications in diverse engineering fields, such as automotive, aerospace, machinery, and robotics sectors.
DEMY Lager GmbH is a custom manufacturer of ball and roller bearings that was established in 1998 in Hamburg, Germany. The company is equipped to produce a range of industrial bearings to client specifications. These include angular contact ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, and cylindrical ball bearings. Its capabilities also allow for the production of more specialized models, such as thrust ball bearings and needle roller bearings. The company chiefly serves clients in the aerospace, industrial machinery manufacturing, and energy industries.
THK Co., Ltd. was incorporated in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. THK is a manufacturer and supplier of machine components such as linear motion components for customers globally. THK’s products are used in many industries including electronics, aerospace, industrial robots, and precision instruments. THK’s primary product categories are Linear Motion, Feed Screw, Rotation, Custom Assemblies, and Seismic Isolation. Linear Motion products assist in linear motion and transportation. They include linear motion actuators, guides, and rollers. Feed screws include ball screws, screw nuts, and change nuts. Seismic Isolation includes both large systems and small guides.
Changzhou Suma Precision Machinery Co., Ltd, established in 2005, is a manufacturer and supplier of mechanical parts including One Way Clutch Bearings, Needle Roller Bearings, Spherical Plain Bearings as well as Overrunning Clutch and Backstop Clutch based in Jiangsu Province, China. Changzhou Suma Precision Machinery Co. Ltd designs and manufactures clutches with high torque transmission using German technology, and are widely used in Gearbox, Conveyor systems, and mining. The company supplies to customers worldwide including North America and Europe.
CTS Bearings, established in 2018, is a manufacturer and exporter of various types of Bearings and accessories based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The company offers a wide range of Bearings including Linear Motion Bearings, Needle Roller Bearings, Rod End Bearings as well as One Way Bearings, and Radial Spherical Plain Bearings which come in materials such as stainless steel and mild steel. CTS Bearings also offers various accessories such as Sound Level Meters, Clutch Plates, and Sensors used in industrial and automobile industries.
XIAMEN GB Bearing, established in 2009, and based in Fujian, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of bearings. The product portfolio includes a diverse range of agriculture, automotive, deep groove, thrust ball, tapered roller, pillow block, needle, and ball bearings. The products are widely used in various industries which include automobile, machinery, door hardware, and other sectors. The company also offers quality control systems with material analysis, metallography, inspection, clearance, and life test machines.
Sea Hydrosystems India Private Ltd, established in 2010, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer and supplier of Bearings, Hydraulic Cylinders, and accessories based in Tamil Nadu, India. The company offers a wide range of products including Tie Rod Cylinders, Hydraulic Cylinder Rods, Chrome Plated Piston Rods, Hydraulic Cylinder Tubes as well as Bearing Products such as Spherical Bearings. Sea Hydrosystems also offers Honing services used to produce fine and smooth surface finishes for the automobile, construction, and engineering industries.
XRB-ZWA Bearing Industry Co., Ltd is an ISO9001:2015 certified manufacturer and supplier of general purpose and non-standard Bearings based in Shandong Province, China. The company offers a wide range of products including Spherical Roller Bearings, High Precision Electrically Insulated Bearing, Pillow Block Bearings as well as High-Temperature Bearings, and Self-Lubricating Bearings used in various heavy-duty equipment including construction and agricultural machinery. XRB has partnerships with global bearing manufacturers such as KOYO from Japan, and SKF from Sweden.
WUXI DAWSON BEARING CO., LTD, established in 1998, is a manufacturer and supplier of various types of ball bearings and roller bearings based in Wuxi City, China. The company offers a wide range of bearings including contact ball bearings, deep groove ball bearings, as well as spherical roller bearings and taper roller bearings. Wuxi Dawson Bearing Co. also offers slide bearings such as pillow block and auto bearings including wheel hub bearings and clutch bearings. The company supplies customers worldwide including Europe, Asia, and South America.
Amar Engineering Industries, established in 2009, is a manufacturer and supplier of quality Industrial and Automobile Bearings that are extensively used in automobile and engineering industries based in Gujarat, India. The company offers various types of Bearings including Spherical Roller Bearings, Tapper Roller Bearings, and Hub Bearings. All bearings are manufactured using high grade metal and are compliant with industry quality standards. The company also offers customization services that cater to individual customer specifications.
SYZ MACHINE, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, is a manufacturer of suspension components for aircrafts, automobile, boats, industrial machines and many others. The company's range of suspension components include ball joints, suspension arms, linkage suspension, various rod ends and related products like spherical balls and bearings, jam nuts and rebuildable flex joints. The company also offers custom parts and custom machining services like CNC machining, stamping, bending, welding and laser cutting based on a product sample or a drawing. The company's infrastructure facility includes R&D, engineering and prototyping as well as shock assembly, dynamometer testing and pull testing facility.
SKF UK is the British division of SKF, originally founded in 1907 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. SKF designs, develops, and manufacturers bearings, seals, lubrication systems, and services worldwide, with industrial and automotive segments, providing solutions for industries including aerospace, agriculture, transportation, food and beverage, general machinery, material handling, mining, energy, paper, and wind energy. SKF UK offers rolling bearings, mounted bearings, automotive seals, lubrication management, vehicle aftermarket services, waste electric products, and electronic equipment products as well as services including maintenance, remanufacturing, customization, and training.
CCTY Bearing Company, founded in 1996, and headquartered in Zhenjiang, China, is a manufacturer of bearings and assemblies. Its comprehensive range includes ball joints, spherical plain bearings, rod ends, mast guide bearings, as well as metallic & self-lubricating bushings, providing smooth movement, stability, and reduced friction in mechanical systems for efficient functioning and performance of equipment across different sectors such as agriculture, automotive, construction, mining, and transportation. Notably, their quality management systems hold ISO 9001 and TS certification.
W M Berg, founded in 1967 and based in Cudahy, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer and supplier of precision industrial parts. The company delivers ISO 9001:2015 certified products and services, including assemblies, bearings, belts & chains, couplings & shafts, gears, fasteners & hardware, pulleys & sprockets and more. W M Berg provides designing, developing, manufacturing and testing facilities to its clients in the aerospace, medical and motion control industries. Its distributors include Applied Industrial Technology and Motion Industries.
WD Bearings, founded in 1999, is a manufacturer of bearings, including cylindrical rollers, spherical & tapered rollers, deep grove balls, angular contact balls, and combination bearings used in pump & compressors, gearbox, and machinery in the agricultural, construction, electric motor, and material handling industries. The Indianapolis, Indiana, company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 certified and provides services like flexible manufacturing, product validation, customized solutions, limitless design modifications, and low MOQ capabilities.
Lucrescent Bearing Corporation (Lucre USA), established in 1990 and now a subsidiary of Wepon Bearings Co., LTD. in China, is a manufacturer of industrial bearings, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The company specializes in three types of industrial bearings, namely deep groove ball bearings, pillow block ball bearings, and auto bearings. Standard products are crafted from steel or chrome, while custom products may utilize other alloys for specific requirements. These materials undergo heat treatment to ensure dimensional stability and optimal hardness.
GGB, Inc. is a manufacturer of metal-polymer plain carriage founded in 1989 and established in England. The company offers thermoplastic materials, fiber-reinforced plastic composite materials, solid polymer, housings and assemblies, and special materials. GGB serves clients worldwide.They also cater to various industries which include aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications The company takes dignity in its customer-centric approach, fostering long-lasting partnerships and are driven by excellence and aim to be at the forefront of technological advancements to ensure a brighter and more hopeful future.
American Roller bearing Company is headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina and is a manufacturer of heavy duty industrial class bearings that are used in various industries in the US and around the world. The company’s capabilities include maximum manufacturing diameters of 84 inches for ball bearings, cylindrical, spherical, custom, and tapered roller bearings in both radial and thrust configurations. The company’s service capabilities include bearing modification, service engineering, employee training, bearing repair & reconditioning, and engineering design services.
BOWMAN International, founded in 1974 and located in the Thames Valley, UK, is a manufacturer and supplier of plain and bespoke bearings. The company’s products are needle rollers, ball bearings, acetal washers, precision shafts, and sintered components. These products are used in automotive, construction, aerospace, lubrication, and manufacturing industries. It offers technical support, particular parts, testing, inspection, and stock holding services. The company holds BS EN 9001-2015 certification and is a member of EPTDA, BEARING Net, and Bearing Specialists Association.
Jinan Shenglei Bearing Co., Ltd (ZYSL) is a manufacturer and distributor of various bearings. The company was established in 1999 and is based in Jinan City, China. ZYSL specializes in the manufacturing of various ball bearings and roller bearings including Angular Contact Ball Bearings, Ceramic Bearings, Cylindrical Roller Bearings as well as Insert Bearings and Non-Standard Bearings. The company also offers modified standard products for special applications and is an OEM service provider.
P.T. International, also known as PTI, was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. PTI is a distributor of European metric and American standard industrial power transmission products, serving the food/beverage, wood products, steel, automotive, and other industries. PTI’s 3 product segments are bearings, power transmission components, and linear products. PTI also offers value-added services including bearing forensics, private branding & custom labeling, custom projects, and new product designing. PTI is ISO 9001 certified.
SERVICE COMPANY was founded in the 1930s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Today BEARING is a manufacturer and national distributor of bearings and power transmission parts and components. BEARING offers services such as field service inspections, damage analysis, surveys, reverse engineering, repair, part identification, and selection. BEARING parts include seals, gaskets, accessories, couplings, electric motors, gearboxes & gearing, chains, sprockets, belts, sheaves, material handling equipment, linear motion equipment, lubrication, and, naturally, many varieties of bearings.
IKO International, Inc. founded in 1950 and headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey is a manufacture of needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, precision positioning tables & machine components. The company offers specialized solutions for diverse manufacturing environments, including clean rooms, vacuum conditions, high-temperature settings, and locations with dust or spatter protection. IKO also exclusively provides C-Lube, a maintenance-free lubrication system with a lifespan of up to 5 years or 12,500 miles for M series linear ways and maintenance-free cam followers.
KG International FZCO is a distributor of parts and components for vehicle systems and industrial machinery established in 1968 and based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company offers automotive parts including navigation and drive monitoring modules, industrial aftermarket parts for industrial machinery. It also offers industrial bearings for linear or rotational movement, and various lubricants and greases. The company operates internationally, and mainly markets to clients in the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors.
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
|
18 | 48.6% |
|
China
|
9 | 24.3% |
|
India
|
3 | 8.1% |
|
Japan
|
2 | 5.4% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 2.7% |
|
Sweden
|
1 | 2.7% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 2.7% |
Italy
|
1 | 2.7% |
| Georgia | 1 | 2.7% |
