Ready-to-fit, self-contained housing units

Paul Boughton

Precision bearing manufacturer Schaeffler UK has extended its range of housing units to include units manufactured to Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). This means in terms of their boundary dimensions, mounting and lubrication, the FAG housing units correspond 100% to those of Japanese brands. They are also available with inch size bore dimensions.

The new FAG Black Series of radial insert ball bearings and housing units from Schaeffler are robust, ready-to-fit, self-contained units that provide simplified mounting, smooth running and high reliability. The housing units are suitable for a variety of industrial applications, including harsh operating environments such as agricultural, construction and mining machinery; steel processing; pumps and fans; food processing and packaging; power transmission and conveying; textile, paper and woodworking machinery.

Black Series radial insert ball bearings with a spherical outer ring are based on series 62 deep groove ball bearings and are manufactured to JIS B 1558. The outer rings, inner rings and shields are coated with Durotect B – a thin matt black, mixed iron oxide layer developed by Schaeffler that inhibits the formation of rust. The radial insert ball bearings are suitable for drawn shafts with tolerances of h6 to h9 and are designed for operating temperatures from -20°C to +120°C.

Black Series housing units are manufactured to JIS B 1559. The units comprise of flake graphite cast iron housings with a spherical seating in which radial insert ball bearings are located. The units are selectively matched and are available with seven different black painted housings as ‘plummer block’, flanged or take-up housing units.

Plummer block housing units have a housing with a short or long base and are screw mounted to the adjacent construction using slots or fixing holes. Long base versions are available with either grub screws (UC) or adapter sleeves (UK) radial insert ball bearings. UK inserts are suitable for bearing arrangements with alternating direction of rotation, even under high speed and load.

With the UK version, the radial insert ball bearings are supplied with the adapter sleeves already mounted. This means the housing unit can be mounted immediately without any additional assembly work. The sleeve is also surface treated with Durotect B that inhibits the formation of rust.

Flanged housing units can be supplied as two-bolt oval or four-bolt square or round units. Flanged housing units are available with grub screw (UC) or adapter sleeves (UK) radial insert ball bearings.

Take-up housing units can be moved or swivelled and are suitable for applications where the shaft must be displaced from its normal axis.

When fitted in housings the spherical seating can allow for static misalignment of the shaft/assembly. The housings have a re-lubrication facility and are supplied with the appropriate grease fitting and dust cap.

Black Series housing units are available with a J7 fit (ie,  medium swing torque), which is in increased demand particularly in Europe. Other housing tolerances are available on demand.