What Is Misalignment in Bearings?
Misalignment occurs when the shaft and housing are not perfectly aligned. This can happen due to:
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Shaft bending under load
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Inaccurate installation
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Thermal expansion
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Base frame deflection
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Uneven load distribution
In traditional bearing designs, even slight misalignment can cause edge stresses, overheating, and premature wear. That’s where FAG spherical roller bearings excel.
✅ The Self-Aligning Solution: How FAG Bearings Compensate Misalignment
FAG self-aligning roller bearings are built with two rows of symmetrical barrel rollers and a common sphered raceway in the outer ring. This design enables the bearing to tilt and self-adjust during operation, correcting angular misalignments of up to several degrees without compromising performance.
⚙ Key Design Benefits:
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Automatic self-alignment under radial load
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Reduced friction and stress on roller surfaces
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Even load distribution, improving wear patterns
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Higher tolerance for misalignment than cylindrical or tapered roller bearings
🔧 Model Examples with Misalignment Compensation
Here are a few high-performance FAG self-aligning roller bearings known for their ability to handle misalignment:
🔹 FAG 22220-E1-K
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Tapered bore, ideal for quick mounting on adapter sleeves
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Commonly used in gearboxes, motors, and pumps
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Handles up to ±1.5° of angular misalignment
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Excellent for medium-load applications
🔹 FAG 23136-E1A-M-C3
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C3 clearance allows thermal expansion
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Used in cement and steel machinery with long shafts
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Handles both misalignment and high radial loads
🔹 FAG 22330-E1-T41D
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T41D series for vibrating applications
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Enhanced design to resist shock and dynamic misalignment
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Ideal for crushers and vibrating screens
🔹 FAG 24040-E1
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Compact spherical roller bearing
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High self-alignment capability in compact design
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Great choice for compact heavy-duty assemblies
🔍 How It Extends Bearing Life
The ability to self-align dramatically reduces internal bearing stress. Here’s how FAG bearings help extend operational lifespan:
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Minimized edge loading and raceway damage
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Lower heat generation, leading to improved lubrication retention
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Reduced vibration, protecting surrounding components
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Less frequent lubrication and maintenance requirements
The result? Longer operating intervals, fewer unplanned shutdowns, and lower total cost of ownership.
As experienced professionals in the bearing industry for many years, we have always been committed to providing our customers with the highest quality products and the most satisfactory services. Through collaborations with top brands such as SKF, TIMKEN, FAG, THK, and others, we have not only established a wide range of product lines but also accumulated rich industry experience and technical knowledge. For more information, please mail to crystal@wsbearing.com.