Simply the Best in Linear Motion

Euro-Bearings Ltd’s Combined Roller Bearing range offers one of the most versatile linear motion systems.

combined roller bearing application

The combined roller bearing is a unit consisting of two roller bearings assembled on a weldable hub and it is designed to carry both axial and radial loads. The bearings are used in conjunction with special steel profiles (C or I) to form a heavy duty linear sliding system.

The bearings and rails can be used both horizontally and vertically, and can also be arranged telescopically to allow for full extension. The simplest system consists of just four bearings and two rails. Some application examples are shown below.

With the standard range of bearings offering diameters from 52.5mm to 149mm, and the Jumbo range offering sizes up to 390mm, the system is suitable for a wide variety of applications.

The bearings can be supplied pre-welded to a mounting plate which can then simply be bolted on, or they can be welded directly to the structure for a more compact configuration.

Our knowledgeable technical sales team can offer advice on applications, design, corrosion resistance and sizing. Please call or email to discuss your requirements.

Application Examples for Combined Roller Bearings and Profiled Rails:

horizontal linear motion applicationhorizontal and vertical systemSimple cantilever using combined roller bearings
Simple Horizontal SystemCombined Horizontal / VerticalHorizontal Cantilever
Telescopic heavy duty linear motionThree stage telescopic linear systemcantilevered systems using an I or H section
2 Stage Telescopic System3 Stage Telescopic SystemI Beam Cantilevered System

RADIAL BEARINGS

3D STEP Files of our range of Radial Bearings can now be downloaded from our website.

Our Radial Bearings are designed to run in our standard steel channels. They can be welded into place. Or they can be welded to a mounting plate and then bolted into place.

Please see our webpage here: https://www.euro-bearings.com/radialhub2.htm

If you need a different file type of our 3D model, please email us your request.

Corrosion Resistant Linear Motion

combined roller bearing with TDC coating

In some applications, it is necessary to specify corrosion resistant products (e.g. food, drink & pharmaceuticals) while in other applications it may be desirable but not essential (e.g. offshore, external use). While a few linear motion products are available in stainless steel, there are often high prices, long lead times & lower load capacities associated with specifying stainless steel.

So what options are there?

For light duty applications there are a few options available in stainless steel. For example miniature motion guidance, round shaft linear products and track guidance systems.

For heavy duty applications there is little choice but some products can be made corrosion resistant by the use of coatings. The most effective coating for linear motion systems is Thin Dense Chromium (TDC). TDC coating provides a hard finish which is able to withstand the high contact load between the bearing and its corresponding track.

Which Products are available?

Euro-Bearings Ltd can offer Combined Roller Bearings with TDC coating to provide a heavy duty corrosion resistant linear motion system. The bearings retain their load capacities (unlike stainless steel alternatives) and maintenance and downtime can be reduced. The TDC coating can also be applied to the rails (channel) and flanged clamps if desired. The combined roller bearings offer a versatile linear motion system which can be used in horizontal, vertical or cantilevered applications.

Euro-Bearings Ltd’s Combined Roller Bearings & Rails with TDC corrosion resistant coating

Another linear motion system to benefit from TDC coating is Vee bearings. While the Vee bearings themselves can be supplied in stainless steel, the T rail to suit the bearings is not so readily available due to the high costs associated with stainless steel. The rails can be TDC coated after any necessary fabrication work and the lead time can be as little as two weeks.

What should I choose?

Every linear motion application should be assessed individually. Use our flow chart to help select which product might be suitable, or ask our technical sales team for advice.

If corrosion resistance is required then consider the following products:

Light to medium duty –
Miniature Motion Guidance (Stainless steel)
Linear bearings & shafts (Stainless steel)
Track Guidance System (Stainless steel)
Exterior Slide System (Aluminium & Delrin)
Vee Bearings & Rails (Stainless steel or TDC coated)

Heavy duty –
Combined Roller Bearings (TDC coated) & Channel (TDC coated or Stainless steel)
Linear bearings & shafts (Stainless steel – small range & lead times are likely to be long)

Summary

Traditionally, corrosion resistance of linear motion products has been provided in the form of stainless steel. However, today, coatings such as Thin Dense Chromium can provide corrosion resistance to bearings without compromising on load capacities and incurring long lead times.

Range of Products to Buy Online

Euro-Bearings Ltd’s online shop has been revamped to be more user friendly. It offers wide range of Linear Bearings, Vee Bearings, Anti-Vibration Mounts & Combined Roller Bearings, all of which are available to buy online. Our technical sales team are on hand should you need any help with selecting the right product.

image of Euro-Bearings Ltd's online shop
Euro-Bearings Ltd’s new e-commerce website offering a wide range of products including Anti-Vibration Mounts, Linear Bearings and Linear Housings, Vee Bearings and Vee Rails, and Combined Roller Bearings and their corresponding Steel Profiles.

Quiet Linear Motion from Euro-Bearings Ltd

Linear Motion without noise – Vulkollan coated bearings for use with steel C rails

Are you looking for a quiet linear motion system? Then look no further. Our new Vulkollan coated bearings are designed to run in our steel C channels to make a sliding system that is both smooth and quiet.

Choose from V.053P (52.5mm ø) or V.054P (62.5mm ø).
V.054P is also available in stainless steel.

The Oilamid rubbing block can be adjusted – by simply turning a screw – to provide axial guidance and support which helps the system to run true.

Full details can be found here

The Best Linear Motion System?

horizontal and vertical system

Combined Roller Bearings & Mating Steel Profiles are one of the most versatile linear motion systems. Originally used on forklift trucks, the bearings are designed to carry both the axial and radial loads in one unit. The bearings and rails can be used horizontally and vertically, and can also be arranged telescopically to allow for full extension.

The main advantage of Combined Roller Bearings over other track rolling systems is that the smaller axial rollers contact the web of the profiled rails. This helps to keep the system running parallel and consequently prevents it from jamming.

The bearings can be supplied pre-welded to a mounting plate and then simply bolted onto the carriage or they can be welded directly to the structure for a more compact configuration.

Here are some of the possible arrangements:

horizontal linear motion applicationhorizontal and vertical systemSimple cantilever using combined roller bearings
Simple Horizontal
System
Combined Horizontal
/ Vertical
Horizontal Cantilever
Telescopic heavy duty linear motionThree stage telescopic linear systemcantilevered systems using an I or H section
2 Stage Telescopic
System
3 Stage Telescopic
System
I Beam
Cantilevered
System

Click on an image for further information.

With good resistance to dirt and heat, Combined Roller Bearings can be used in many industrial applications: from packaging machines to furnace loaders, brick makers to offshore pipe and cable laying devices, to name just a few.

If you have a heavy duty linear motion application, please contact our technical sales team for help and advice.

Details on how to select the correct size of bearing can be found here.

A Quick Guide to Choosing the Best Linear Motion Product

There is a vast range of linear motion products on the market and it can be difficult to know which product to select. This article discusses the various types of products available according to their rolling element and explores their advantages, disadvantages and limitations. Finally a selection chart clearly lists each product’s characteristics to help with specifying the best linear motion product.

Some of our linear motion products are shown in the table below:

Linear Bearings, Housings, Shafts & Supports Heavy Duty Rollers (NUTR, NUKR, NNTR) Vee Bearings Motion Guidance Systems (Standard & Aluminium)
Miniature Motion Guidance Track Guidance System Combined Roller Bearings Plain Sliding Linear Bearings

What are Linear Motion Products?

 The primary purpose of linear motion products is to move something from one place to another in one direction along a straight line. Usually this is achieved using a bearing with a rolling element. Traditionally this rolling element would be a ball or roller, but these days some linear motion bearings do not incorporate a rolling element and consequently are known as ‘plain’ bearings. These plain bearings are simply plastic or ceramic bushes and are sometimes lined with PTFE or oil impregnated plastic to help reduce the sliding friction. Continue reading