JFK Self-Aligning Spherical Roller Thrust Bearings

JFK roller bearings

  • Combined axial and radial loads
  • Self-aligning
  • Relatively high rotational speeds

Spherical roller thrust bearings, also known as self-aligning roller thrust bearings, are separable single-effect axial bearings featuring asymmetrical rollers. Their contact angle, directed towards the bearing axis, enables them to support radial loads up to 55% of the applied axial loads. This capability is a key advantage compared with cylindrical roller thrust bearings, which are designed to handle axial loads only.

JFK Group supplies spherical roller thrust bearings in the 292, 293 and 294 series. Each JFK spherical roller thrust bearing consists of separable components: shaft washer (WS), housing washer (GS) and roller and cage assembly (K), which can be installed separately. Bearings are available with either flat or spherical housing washers; the spherical housing washer design compensates for misalignment between the mounting surfaces. For double-direction designs, an intermediate washer (ZS) is available.

Spherical roller thrust bearings, also known as self-aligning roller thrust bearings, are typically used in heavy-duty vertical shafts, forming equipment, presses and applications subjected to high combined axial and radial loads.

Versions

How to choose the right spherical roller thrust bearing

The correct selection mainly depends on the presence of combined radial loads and on the need to compensate for misalignment between the mounting surfaces.

  1. Design with flat housing washer

    The standard design. Housing washer (GS) with a flat mounting surface. It requires mounting surfaces perfectly perpendicular to the bearing axis. The bearing consists of separable components: shaft washer (WS), housing washer (GS) and roller and cage assembly (K). Standard design · Flat mounting surfaces · Separable components

  2. Design with spherical housing washer

    Housing washer (GS) with a spherical surface designed to compensate angular misalignment between mounting surfaces, eliminating the need for precision machining of the contact areas. The same function can also be achieved through dedicated support plates. Misalignment compensation · Spherical housing washer · Simplified installation

Performances

Design and performance features

Asymmetrical rollers with a contact angle towards the bearing axis, designed to accommodate combined axial and radial loads at relatively high rotational speeds.

Benefit

Load

High axial loads with radial load capacity up to 55% The contact angle directed towards the bearing axis enables the bearing to accommodate radial forces up to 55% of the applied axial load. According to JFK Group specifications, the minimum required load is 2% of the basic dynamic load rating.

Benefit

Self-aligning capability

Misalignment compensation The spherical housing washer design compensates for angular misalignment between the mounting surfaces. Alternatively, dedicated support plates can provide the same self-aligning function when using a flat housing washer.

Benefit

Speed

Compared with cylindrical roller thrust bearings, spherical roller thrust bearings can operate at relatively higher rotational speeds due to the optimized geometry of their asymmetrical rollers.

Benefit

Construction

Separable components The shaft washer (WS), housing washer (GS) and roller and cage assembly (K) can be installed separately. Spherical roller thrust bearings are also available as separate components.

Benefit

Cages

Solid brass or steel Solid machined brass cages (MB) or solid steel cages (FB), selected according to bearing size and operating conditions.

Benefit

Tolerances

Normal (PN) as standard Manufactured with Normal (PN) tolerance as standard. Available in P6 and P5 upon request for larger sizes.

Mounting

Installation of spherical roller thrust bearings

Spherical roller thrust bearings are of separable design, allowing the individual components to be installed separately. The mounting surfaces must be perpendicular to the bearing axis, except for versions with a spherical housing washer. In applications involving low-temperature start-up or highly viscous lubricants, a higher minimum load may be required.

Installation Mounting

  1. Separate installation of the componentsThe shaft washer (WS), housing washer (GS) and roller and cage assembly (K) can be installed independently, simplifying mounting even where installation space is limited.
  2. Installation with spherical housing washerThe spherical housing washer compensates for misalignment caused by non-perpendicular mounting surfaces, simplifying installation and reducing machining requirements.
  3. Double-direction designFor axial loads acting in both directions, an intermediate washer (ZS) is fitted between two single-direction bearing units. Intermediate washers must have the same material quality and hardness as the bearing washers.

Technical data

Load
High axial loads with radial load capacity up to 55%
Self-aligning capability
Misalignment compensation
Construction
Separable components
Cages
Solid brass or steel
Tolerances
Normal (PN) as standard

Applications

Applications

Components and application support for every industrial environment.

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JFK roller bearings

Industrial automation

Injection molding machines and presses with high combined axial and radial loads. The ability to accommodate radial loads up to 55% of the axial load makes these bearings suitable for applications where pure axial load bearings are not sufficient.
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JFK roller bearings

Transmissions and axles

Heavy vertical shafts in gearboxes and transmission systems subjected to predominant axial loads with significant radial components. The relatively high permissible rotational speeds make these bearings suitable for continuous-duty applications.
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JFK roller bearings

Metal Fabrication / Machining Industry

Presses and machine tools subjected to high axial loads with radial components. The spherical housing washer design compensates for angular misalignment of the mounting surfaces, eliminating the need for additional machining operations.
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JFK roller bearings

Construction Equipment

Rotation and lifting systems subjected to combined axial and radial loads in harsh operating conditions. The robust structural design and capability to handle combined loads ensure reliability in the most demanding applications.

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    Related products

    Please also consider these alternatives: When the application involves purely axial loads with no radial component, cylindrical roller thrust bearings offer higher rigidity and excellent resistance to shock loads. For moderate pure axial loads without radial components, ball thrust bearings offer the simplest and most economical solution. When applications involve predominantly radial loads combined with significant misalignment, spherical roller bearings provide the dedicated solution.