The Two Types of Take-up Bearings

When you're searching for take-up bearings, the options might feel a bit overwhelming at first. But don’t worry—help is here! We’ve narrowed down your choices to just two main types of take-up bearings, and they’re available in a variety of sizes to suit all kinds of projects. Let’s start with some essential take-up bearing basics.

Why Use Take-up Bearings?

We rely on bearings to reduce friction where metal meets metal. Metal-on-metal friction generates grinding, and this constant grinding wears down the material over time. Bearings solve this issue by allowing the two metal components to roll smoothly across each other rather than grinding harshly together. The rollers glide over the smooth outer shell, taking on the load as they go. This load is referred to as either "thrust" or "radial" load. By reducing friction, bearings allow devices to spin efficiently without wearing out prematurely.

Where Are Take-up Bearings Used? Machinists often turn to take-up bearings to fine-tune and maintain the tension in conveyor belts. You'll find these bearings in many industrial settings, including fans, blowers, food processing machinery, and agricultural equipment.

What Are Take-up Bearings Made Of?

There are three primary types of take-up bearings: plain bearings, roller bearings, and ball bearings. Ball and roller bearings are typically crafted from carbon or stainless steel, whereas plain bearings are often made from plastics or bronze. One popular plastic used in take-up bearings is Teflon, a registered trademark of DuPont Dow. Teflon belongs to a family of plastics known as PFTE. These materials are chosen for their heat tolerance, chemical resistance, low leaching properties, and excellent lubrication capabilities.

Plain bearings work well in controlling friction for both rotary and linear applications without the use of rollers. In contrast, ball and roller bearings excel in managing friction in rotary applications.

What Does a Take-up Bearing Assembly Look Like?

A take-up bearing assembly consists of a housing attached to a take-up frame. The bearing moves along a track or slot within the housing. The housing is usually made of cast iron, while the take-up frame is typically constructed from steel.

The term "take-up" refers to the process of adjusting the length of belts and chains to maintain optimal tension as the belt stretches, shrinks, or experiences wear during use. The take-up assembly features a screw mechanism that helps position the assembly at the correct point on the frame. (Keep in mind that your take-up frame must be long enough to allow for increased tension when tightening the bearing screws.) A shaft connects two take-up bearings located on either side of the assembly. To adjust the tension, simply tighten the adjusting screw until the system operates correctly.

We offer two distinct types of take-up bearings to meet your construction requirements. Remember, these bearings come in multiple sizes to accommodate your specific project needs.

• Type-E Series: The Type-E series is a heavy-duty bearing featuring four set screws with an expanded interior ring that attaches to the shaft. It uses Timken Double Taper Roller Bearings housed in cast iron, complete with a grease fitting. These bearings deliver top-notch performance in both radial and thrust directions.
• UCT200 Series: This take-up bearing is standard duty, equipped with a wide inner ring and two set screws for easy attachment to the shaft. Its cast-iron housing includes a grease fitting for maintenance convenience.

If you'd like to learn more about bearings or discuss any related topics, feel free to reach out to us. We stock a wide range of bearings and frequently update our inventory to include new sizes and styles. Rest assured, we’ll help you find exactly what you need!