Choosing a BearingWhat each bearing family takes, and where it belongs on a shaft.Mechanical EngineeringLoad direction is the first question; speed and cost come after.TypeLoad it takesNoteDeep groove ballRadial, some axialThe cheap defaultAngular contactRadial and one-way axialFit in opposed pairsCylindrical rollerHigh radial, no axialLets the shaft growTapered rollerHigh radial and axialNeeds setting on buildThrust ballAxial onlyNo radial capacityPlain bushRadial, low speedQuiet and forgivingOne bearing should locate the shaft axially and the other must float, orthermal growth preloads both to death.Choosing a Bearinglearnposters.com
Choosing a Bearing — printable engineering wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

What’s on the Choosing a Bearing poster

A 6-row table: Type · Load it takes · Note.

Load direction is the first question; speed and cost come after.

One bearing should locate the shaft axially and the other must float, or thermal growth preloads both to death.

Questions about the Choosing a Bearing poster

What’s on the Choosing a Bearing poster?
A 6-row table: Type · Load it takes · Note. Load direction is the first question; speed and cost come after. Deep groove ball — Radial, some axial — The cheap default; Angular contact — Radial and one-way axial — Fit in opposed pairs; Cylindrical roller — High radial, no axial — Lets the shaft grow; Tapered roller — High radial and axial — Needs setting on build; Thrust ball — Axial only — No radial capacity; Plain bush — Radial, low speed — Quiet and forgiving. One bearing should locate the shaft axially and the other must float, or thermal growth preloads both to death.
Who is the Choosing a Bearing poster for?
Choosing a Bearing belongs to the Mechanical Engineering section rather than to a school year, because engineering is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning machine design can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Choosing a Bearing poster?
Laying out a shaft, when you must decide which end locates and which floats. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Choosing a Bearing belongs on the wall where that engineering work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Choosing a Bearing?
Bearing Life, Belt or Chain? and Bolt Preload sit alongside Choosing a Bearing in the Mechanical Engineering section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Bearing LifeBelt or Chain?Bolt Preload
Is the Choosing a Bearing poster free to download and print?
Yes. Choosing a Bearing downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Mechanical Engineering section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Choosing a Bearing poster print at?
Choosing a Bearing is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Choosing a Bearing loses nothing.Printing guide

Related posters

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