Bearing Units & Housings
Bearing units and housings provide a practical way to support rotating shafts within industrial machinery.
Correct selection can help maintain reliable movement and make ongoing maintenance more straightforward.
Antifriction supplies a wide range of mounted bearings and bearing housings for industrial applications, backed by technical support where you need help identifying the right arrangement.
You can also explore our wider bearings range or contact us for product advice.
What are bearing units & housings?
Bearing units combine a bearing with a housing that can be mounted onto a machine frame or supporting structure. This creates a ready-to-fit arrangement for supporting a rotating shaft without requiring the surrounding machinery to incorporate a specially machined bearing housing.
Different designs are available to suit different mounting positions and operating requirements.
Selecting the right arrangement helps provide suitable shaft support while making installation and future maintenance easier.
The correct choice will depend on the machinery, the loads involved and the conditions in which the bearing will operate.
Types of bearing units & housings
There are several bearing housing types available, with each suited to a different mounting arrangement or application.
- Pillow or plummer block housings: Mounted onto a supporting surface and commonly used where the shaft runs parallel to the mounting base.
- Flanged housings: Designed for mounting against a vertical or machine face where a compact fixing arrangement is required.
- Take-up housings: Allow adjustment of shaft position and are often used where tension needs to be maintained.
- Set screw bearing units: Secure the bearing inner ring to the shaft using set screws.
- Split bearing units: Designed to make installation or replacement more practical where access around the shaft is limited.
For applications that need a mounted bearing arrangement with straightforward installation and maintenance, our self-lube bearings may also be relevant.
How to install bearing units & housings
Installation requirements vary depending on the bearing unit, housing design and manufacturer. The relevant fitting instructions should always be followed for the specific product being installed.
Before mounting, check that the shaft and mounting surfaces are clean and within the required tolerances. Position the housing carefully so the shaft is correctly aligned, then secure it using the specified fixing method. Manufacturer guidance should be followed for tightening values and any lubrication requirements.
Correct installation helps avoid unnecessary bearing stress and can support reliable service life. If you need help selecting a suitable unit or confirming the requirements for your application, contact us to speak to the Antifriction team.
Our bearing units & housings catalogues
Detailed manufacturer catalogues can help engineers and purchasing teams compare dimensions, specifications and product options before making a selection. Our current catalogue range includes information from NSK, Schaeffler, Timken and SKF.
Use the available downloads to review product data in more detail and identify suitable bearing units and housings for your machinery.
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