Flange Mount Bearing: Why Are They Used?

Bearings that are mounted within a flanged housing are used when the bearing mounting surface is perpendicular to a shaft axis. Two, three and four-hole configurations of bearings are commonly available in the market. Four-bolt Flange mount bearing units have a square shape with 4 holes for mounting, it accommodates higher loads than two-bolt flanges.

As with our 2-Bolt Flanged Bearing Units, 3-Bolt Flanged Bearing Units, the 4-bolt flanged bearing units have bearings that can be moved and aligned to better accommodate long shafts. The flanges are aids in positioning, mounting, and operation, particularly for instrument or miniature bearings, but applicable to other bearing types, too.

Flange bearings are bearings mounted in a cast iron flange and used with other bearing types. There are three primary types of this Flange ball bearing which is the round or square four-bolt, the tri-cornered three-bolt, or the diamond-shaped two-bolt. These bearings provide support for a shaft that runs perpendicular to the bearing’s mounting surface. Used with ball bearings, plain bearings, needle roller and roller bearings, these are used with bearings to help securely position them for reliable operation.

Many flange bearings are commonly installed at the outer end of the shaft to provide low-friction, smooth rotary movement of the shaft. Based on the speed and length of the shaft, the application may call for more than one bearing. Also, when flange ball bearing located in a way supportive to the shaft can be eased.