Mounted Bearings are mechanical assemblies that consist of bearings housed within bolt-on or threaded mounting components and include pillow blocks, flanged units, etc. They provide means of supporting rotating shafts and minimizing friction between shafts and stationary machine members. Mounted bearings are used primarily in machinery with exposed rotating shafting. They are used as take-up devices on the ends of conveyors and as flanged units along intermediate points. The bearings can be rolling element or journal bearing configurations. Mounted bearings are designed for bolt-on mounting and ease of replacement. Other varieties of mounted bearings include rod end bearings and cam followers. Considerations include
- Housed units reduce mounting concerns, protection issues
- Cartridge designs ease replacement
- Shafts usually held in place with set screws
- Allow adjustment of the supported components
- Mainly used for low/mid speed applications
Types of Mounted Bearings
Pillow Block (Plummer Block)
This is the most common type of mounted unit. The mounting base plane is perpendicular to the shaft and the bolt holes are parallel to the shaft. They can be used on vertical, horizontal, and inclined surfaces. Pillow block bearings are constructed of a housing and an insert bearing, which are usually self-aligning. Split housing styles are available for easy dismantling and bearing replacement. Standard-duty types have two mounting holes and heavy-duty types have four mounting holes.
Flanged Cartridge
These units are usually mounted on vertical surfaces where the shaft passes through a machine frame at a right angle. A piloted, flanged cartridge is available to provide better mounting and support. Cylindrical cartridges provide support where the shaft axis is perpendicular to and passes through machined housings.
Take-Up Units
These are used to adjust the center distance between shafts or where belt-tightening is required. Complete take-up units are available for both horizontal and vertical adjustments and top or side mounting.
