When searching for take-up bearings, the options might feel overwhelming. However, fear not—our team has simplified your choices to just two primary types. These versatile bearings come in a variety of sizes to meet your specific needs. Let’s dive into the basics of take-up bearings.

Why Choose Take-up Bearings? 

We utilize bearings to minimize friction where metal meets metal. This type of friction generates grinding, which can ultimately wear down the metal components. Bearings solve this issue by enabling the metal parts to roll smoothly rather than grind harshly against each other. The rollers glide across the smooth outer casing. These rollers (or balls) bear the load, allowing the mechanism to spin efficiently. We refer to the load taken by the bearing as the "thrust" or "radial" load.

Where Are Take-up Bearings Applied? Engineers commonly use take-up bearings to regulate and sustain the tension in conveyor belts. They also appear in a range of products, including fans, blowers, food processing machinery, and agricultural equipment.

What Are Take-up Bearings Made Of? 

Take-up bearings typically fall into three main categories: plain bearings, roller bearings, or ball bearings. Ball and roller bearings usually consist of carbon or stainless steel, whereas plain bearings are often made of plastics or bronze. One notable plastic is Teflon, a trademark owned by DuPont Dow. Teflon belongs to a group of plastics called PFTE. Manufacturers opt for PFTE in take-up ball bearings due to its exceptional heat tolerance, chemical resistance, minimal leaching properties, and superior lubrication capabilities.

Plain bearings reduce friction in both rotary and linear applications without incorporating rollers. In contrast, ball and roller bearings primarily manage friction in rotary applications.

What Does a Take-up Bearing Assembly Look Like? 

A take-up bearing comprises a housing mounted onto a take-up frame. The bearing moves along a track or groove within the housing. Housing materials typically consist of cast iron, while the take-up frame is usually made of steel.

The term "take-up" refers to adjusting the belt or chain length to preserve optimal tension as the belt stretches, shrinks, or experiences wear during operation. The take-up assembly includes a screw that helps position the assembly at the correct point on the frame. (Remember, your take-up frame must be long enough to allow increased tension when tightening the bearing screws.) A shaft connects two take-up bearings installed on either side of the assembly. To adjust the belt tension, simply tighten the adjustment screw until the system operates smoothly.

We offer two types of take-up bearings to cater to your construction requirements. Keep in mind that these bearings come in various sizes to suit your particular project.

• Type-E Series: The Type-E series represents a heavy-duty bearing featuring four set screws and a widened inner ring attached to the shaft. It houses Timken Double Taper Roller Bearings inside a cast-iron housing, complete with a grease fitting. This model excels in both radial and thrust performance.
• UCT200 Series: This take-up bearing serves as a standard-duty option with a wide inner ring and two set screws for shaft attachment. Its cast-iron housing also includes a grease fitting.

For further discussions about bearings or any related topics, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We maintain an extensive inventory of bearings, regularly updating our selection with new sizes and styles. Rest assured, we’re here to assist you with all your bearing needs.