Is angular contact ball bearing not a "universal solution"?

In mechanical design, angular contact ball bearings are widely popular due to their ability to simultaneously withstand axial and radial loads, and are often mistaken for a "universal" solution. However, this kind of cognition can easily lead to selection bias, especially in application scenarios that require strict load-bearing performance.

In fact, the radial load-bearing capacity of angular contact ball bearings is usually weaker than that of deep groove ball bearings. If the working condition is mainly radial load with only slight axial force, deep groove ball bearings not only have lower cost but also better performance. For example, in the field of motors, the mainstream configuration is precisely deep groove ball bearings or cylindrical roller bearings - the former can stably withstand an axial force of about 25% of its radial rated dynamic load, fully meeting the needs of most small and medium-sized motors.

To avoid a one size fits all selection, it is recommended to use the following logical judgment:

1. Small axial load: give priority to deep groove ball bearings, balancing economy and reliability;

2. Significant increase in radial load: using cylindrical roller bearings to enhance radial support stiffness;

3. Axial force exceeds the bearing range of deep groove ball bearings: angular contact ball bearings should only be introduced at this time;

4. Extreme axial working conditions: require the use of thrust bearings or specialized structures such as spherical roller thrust bearings.

Accurate selection can not only improve system lifespan, but also effectively control costs. For transmission system and motor design engineers, understanding the true capability boundaries of various types of bearings is far more crucial than relying on "popular models".

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