Have you ever heard of a plumber blocks or pillow block bearing? Some people may think that they are the same thing but there are some quite subtle differences. Pillow block bearings are extremely common and popular because of their highly balanced and very calculated engineered design. They have been successfully been used in a wide variety of industries for decades. A pillow block bearing requires very little effort to install and its performance is both high quality and durable, a great mix which can make it long-lasting and a great choice for many professionals.
Sometimes a pillow block bearing is referred to as a plumber block which may cause a bit of confusion regardless of your technical knowledge. The reason for the confusion is that there is a slight difference between the 2 bearings. A plumber block is typically used where high load capacity and high performance are required. A pillow block bearing can be found in less industrialized environments where the element isn’t going to be under as much stress.
As mentioned previously, a plumber block is a little bit different than a pillow block bearing. A plumber block may be found in heavier applications such as heavy manufacturing, construction, and mining. A split bearing variation of a pillow block bearing will be used when a shaft needs to split apart.
The design of both types of bearings is primarily to support any kind of rotating shaft, because of this, they can be found in any number of environments. The material used for these bearings needs to be durable and strong and therefore you will find most of them made out of aluminium, cast iron, or cast steel. The bearings can come in a split-able piece or a single piece. The housing and mounting surface is designed to easily bolt the entire apparatus on a plain, flat surface.
Both of these types of bearings are designed for getting the work done effectively. The outer ring of the bearing will remain stationary while providing the inner ring with a movable space. The bearings are very easy to install and require no special skills.
A pillow block bearing that utilizes aluminium material is used in applications that require high conductivity and load-carrying capacity. Pressed steel, on the other hand, is used in applications that require carrying a low load along with high performance and precision. You will also find some bearings made from stainless steel to resist corrosion.
Some of the other common bearings used in industrial applications include ball bearings, plain bearings, roller bearings, and needle roller bearings. Of course, each type bearing has its own specific application which will be determined by the design and use of the bearing.