The Two Types of Take-up Bearings

When you are looking for take-up bearings, the choices may seem a bit overwhelming. Luckily, we can help because we have your choices narrowed down to two types. Those two types comes in various sizes to fit your bearing needs. Let's start with some basic take up bearings information.

Why Use Take Up Bearings? 

We use bearings to reduce friction where metal-on-metal contact takes place. Metal-on-metal contact friction produces grinding. The grinding caused by metal friction eventually wears down the metal itself. Bearings help by making the two pieces of metal smoothly roll over each other instead of grinding harshly against one another. The roller rolls over the smooth surface of the outside shell. The rollers (balls) take up the load and, as a result, the device spins. We call the load that the bearing takes the "thrust" or "radial" load.

Where are Take-Up Bearings Used? Machinists use take-up bearings primarily to adjust and maintain the tension in conveyor belts. We see them in various products, like fans, blowers, food processing and agricultural equipment.

What are Take-Up Bearings Made From? 

Manufacturers make three basic types of take-up bearings: plain bearings, roller bearings, or ball bearings. Ball and roller bearings generally consist of carbon or stainless steel while plain bearings consist of plastics or bronze. Teflon is a plastic that is a registered trademark owned by Dupont Dow and is one of the group of plastics known as PFTE. Manufacturers use PFTE to make take-up ball bearings due to its heat tolerance, chemical resistance, low leaching characteristic, and excellent lubrication.

Plain bearings control friction in rotary or linear applications and do not include rollers. Ball and roller bearings generally control friction in rotary applications.

What Does a Take-Up Bearing Assembly Look Like? 

The take-up bearing consists of a housing mounted to a take-up frame. The bearing moves along a track or slot within the housing. Bearing housings usually consist of cast-iron. The take-up frame usually consists of steel.

The term "take-up" refers to adjusting the length of the belt and chain to maintain proper tension when the belt either stretches or shrinks, or when it wears from use. The take-up assembly consists of a screw which assists in locating the assembly at the necessary point on the frame. (Note: You need a take-up frame that is long enough to provide increased tension on the conveyor belt when you tighten the bearings screws to adjust the tension.) A shaft connects two take-up bearings mounted on each side of the assembly. When the belt needs adjusted, you can tighten the adjusting screw until you have the right amount of tension for the system to function properly.

We have two types of take-up bearings to help you with your construction needs. Bear in mind, of course, that these type of bearings come in different sizes to help you in the specific project you have in mind.

• Type-E Series: The Type-E series of take-up bearings is a heavy-duty bearing that consists of four set screws with a widened interior ring attaching to the shaft. The bearings inside are Timken Double Taper Roller Bearings with a housing made of cast iron, and a grease fitting. They provide the best performance in both radial aspects and thrust.
• UCT200 Series: This take-up bearing is standard duty with a wide inner ring and two set screws for attaching to the shaft. The cast-iron housing comes with grease fitting.

To talk more about bearings, or anything else, please contact us. We almost always have the bearings you need in stock and we update our stock constantly, adding sizes and styles. We are sure we can help you with your bearing needs.