Lexicon: W
What’s a plain bearing?
To ensure that castors always run smoothly, they require a first-class wheel bearing. The bearing is one of the factors that determines the running properties of the castor and is therefore an important characteristic of the quality of a castor. Different types of bearing are available to suit the various requirements that need to be met. The simplest of these is the plain bearing.
Along with rolling bearings, plain bearings are among the most common types of bearing. Unlike rolling bearings, plain bearings have direct contact with the parts that move relative to each other. Plain bearings can be manufactured as plastic, metal or sintered bearings. They are low-maintenance or maintenance-free, impact-resistant and – depending on the material – also resistant to corrosion. These corrosion-resistant plain bearings have the great advantage that they can be used in wet operations, for example.
The cost-effective plain bearings are particularly recommended for transporter equipment, which are only used at low speeds and over short distances. However, overheating problems can occur during continuous operation.
Other types of wheel bearing
In addition to plain bearings, the four most common bearing types include castor bearings, cone ball bearings and precision ball bearings. Each type of bearing has its own advantages, which come into their own in a wide variety of applications. We also offer further versions for special solutions. At TENTE you will find the optimum castor with the right wheel bearing for every application. If you have any questions about the different types of bearing, please do not hesitate to contact us – we will give you detailed advice and help you to choose the right wheel bearing!