Angular Contact Bearings

Angular Contact Bearing - The most common bearing used in high speed spindle applications. These bearings are capable of taking radial and axial loads. The amount of load capacity in each direction is determined by the bearing size and the contact angle. The most common contact angles are 15°, 25°, 30°, and 40° although it varies between bearing manufacturers. The larger the contact angle the higher the axial load capacity but the lower the speed rating. The same is true for bearing size. The larger the sizes of the bearing, the higher the load capacity but in turn the lower the speed rating.

These types of bearings are usually used in sets of 2 or more. This allows the installer to adjust the bearing preload which also affects the speed rating and also the rigidity.

Angular Contact Bearings have many different series, ball sizes, ball materials and raceway materials all which affect the speed and load characteristics of the spindles they are used in.