flangebearing

Flange bearing is a bearing arrangement in which the bearing housing or insert includes a mounting flange with bolt holes, enabling secure attachment to a mating surface and providing rigid alignment for a shaft. Flange bearings can be based on plain bushings or rolling-element designs such as ball or roller bearings, and they are used wherever a shaft requires support close to a mounting surface.

Construction and mounting: A flange bearing typically comprises a bore that accepts the shaft and an outer mounting face with through-holes for fasteners. The flange distributes loads into the mounting surface and helps maintain proper shaft alignment. In some assemblies the flange is part of a dedicated housing block, while in others it is a separate flange insert that fits into a compatible housing. Materials vary by application and can include cast iron, steel, aluminum, bronze, or polymer composites. The bearing surfaces may be hardened steel in rolling-element designs or bronze/thermoplastic in bushings. Lubrication is typically grease or oil, and many designs are sealed or shielded to retain lubricant and exclude contaminants.

Types and selection: Common flange bearings include flange-mounted ball bearings and flange-mounted roller bearings, available in various bore sizes and configurations (single-row, angular-contact, or cylindrical rollers). Selection factors include radial and axial load requirements, speed, misalignment tolerance, mounting constraints, lubrication method, and environmental conditions. Some designs use interchangeable inserts that fit into a standard housing for flexibility.

Applications and advantages: Flange bearings are widely used in conveyors, pumps, fans, motors, machine tools, and many industrial machines where a shaft needs reliable support with straightforward mounting. Advantages include simple installation, precise alignment, and compact form; limitations can include limited misalignment tolerance and the need for proper lubrication and sealing in dirty or high-dust environments.