Ball Bearings

Ball Bearings

AIMS Industrial stocks ball bearings for industrial machinery, drive systems, motors and equipment — deep groove ball bearings and angular contact ball bearings in metric and imperial sizes from FYH, Nachi and FAG. Ball bearings are the most widely used bearing type across industrial applications, providing low-friction rotational support for shafts under radial and moderate axial loads. Selecting the correct bearing type, size and sealing arrangement for the application determines load capacity, speed capability, service life and required maintenance interval.

Deep Groove Ball Bearings

Deep groove ball bearings (also referred to as Conrad or single-row ball bearings) are the standard general-purpose bearing for the majority of rotating shaft applications. The deep raceway groove geometry handles radial loads as the primary duty and accommodates modest axial loads in both directions, making the deep groove ball bearing suitable for most motors, gearboxes, fans, pumps, conveyors and general industrial machinery drives. Deep groove ball bearings are available in open (unshielded), shielded (ZZ) and sealed (2RS) configurations. Open bearings require external lubrication access. ZZ bearings have pressed steel shields that retain grease and exclude coarse contamination. 2RS bearings have rubber contact seals for better exclusion of fine contamination and moisture — the preferred choice for most workshop and industrial applications where bearing life is a priority.

Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Angular contact ball bearings are designed for combined radial and axial loading where the axial load component is significant — spindle applications, angular thrust applications and precision positioning drives. The contact angle (typically 15°, 25° or 40°) determines the ratio of axial to radial load capacity. Angular contact bearings are commonly used in pairs or sets — back-to-back (DB), face-to-face (DF) or tandem (DT) arrangements — to manage axial load in both directions and to provide the preload required for precision spindle applications.

Bearing Codes and Selection

Bearing designation codes describe the series (load capacity relative to bore size), bore size, sealing arrangement, internal clearance and special features in a standardised international numbering system. Common series include the 6000 (extra light), 6200 (light) and 6300 (medium) families across the most widely used bore sizes from 10mm to 100mm. AIMS stocks bearings across the most common sizes and series in both open and sealed variants.

Matching Bearing to Application

The key parameters for bearing selection are shaft and housing bore dimensions, operating speed, radial and axial load requirements, operating temperature, and contamination environment. Correct sizing ensures that the bearing is not overloaded and achieves its rated service life. For help identifying the right ball bearing for your shaft size and application, contact our team. AIMS Industrial has been supplying bearings to Australian industry since 1988.