If your facility uses equipment that requires converting rotary into linear motion, it is important to invest in roller or cam follower bearings. Although the two have the same role, figuring the one to buy can be a challenge. So, which one do you select? This post takes a closer look at the two bearings to help you understand them and make an informed decision.

The Difference between Roller Follower and Cam Bearings

A closer look at the two bearings reveals they both provide similar benefits. They are designed to help provide maximum shock and radial loads because of their thick outer rings. This makes them excellent choices for heavy-duty equipment. However, technology has advanced so much today that smaller models for standard equipment are also available on the market.

The main difference between the two is that roller follower bearings are fitted on an existing shaft while the cam bearings have a shaft attached to them. A roller follower is a type of compact bearing designed with built-in needle bearings and high rigidity shaft. It is recommended for guiding rollers, especially for linear motion and cam mechanisms.

Unlike a follower roller bearing, a cam roller bearing is a type of specialized needle bearing designed to follow tracks or cams. To get a clearer picture of cam bearings, think of a camshaft on a car engine. It is fitted strategically so that pistons can move it in turns, ultimately transferring the engine torque to the drive shaft. The same working principle is used in industrial equipment but the motion might not necessarily be emanating from running pistons.

In industrial operations, cam follower bearings and roller follower bearings are mainly used in machine tools, automation machines, and material handling.

Cam or Roller Follower Bearings: Which One Do You Pick?

The main reason for selecting one type of bearing, roller follower or cam follower, is the specific constraints from your machines. Because cam followers are designed with studs, they are considered the natural option if you have a surface for mounting the bearings. If a shaft is already available in your application, you will only need to invest in fewer materials.

Let's turn to load ratings. In this case, the choice between using roller follower bearings and cam follower bearings will be more about what specific part is required as opposed to style. Note that both bearings come with equal ratings when comparing their loading rates.

We must also indicate that because a roller follower bearing requires a shaft to be mounted, it is paramount to determine the correct bore size. If the roller follower bearings came without inner rings, it is prudent to order them separately for optimal performance.

The type of bearing to use, be it a roller follower or cam follower, will largely depend on your equipment or application. If you are unsure of the model to pick, maybe because the application is new or complex, it will be a good idea to work with a technician. Remember also to avoid shaft misalignment when installing the bearings.