Have you ever considered the benefits of a plastic thrust bearing?

BNL’s custom designed plastic thrust bearings offer even more with a ‘designed-for-specification’ component to meet your exact needs.

We design thrust bearings to support different loads, speeds and specifications, by changing the type of element used to transmit movement. Our ball and roller thrust bearings use cages to ensure alignment and smooth, balanced operation. BNL specialise in integrating the raceways into mating parts, via plastic injection moulding and we supply raceways with a combination of washers, raceways and cages, or even just the cages themselves.

Benefits of BNL thrust bearings:

  1. Integrated designs that save component cost and assembly time
  2. Different component combinations and custom design to meet product specifications
  3. Inherent noise dampening characteristics of plastics
  4. No need for lubrication that could leech out
  5. Lightweight for smaller motor use and power saving

Plastic thrust bearing with cut through showing balls and raceway

 

What products use plastic thrust bearings?

Our thrust bearing projects range from large, robust bearings for high load support, to tiny, thin bearings for precision movement.

These include:

  • Camera lenses – Very small thrust bearings used for smooth rotation of the lens. BNL’s plastic thrust bearings have integrated retention features to allow it to be fitted easily. As a result, other moving parts of the lens adjustment mechanism can circumnavigate the thrust bearing and all operational parts are harmonised.
  • Floor standing fans and air-purifiers – A custom designed and integrated thrust bearing mechanism, which rotates the fan to cool or purify air throughout a room. The thrust race is designed for easy assembly into the fan and the integrated design reduces components and therefore, overall product weight. Additionally, the thrust bearing provides smooth and quiet operation without the need for lubrication.
  • Tilt and rake, manual adjust steering columns – These provide a more cost effective, lighter weight equivalent to a steel bearing in the adjustment mechanism.
  • High-end TV and stand adjustment – BNL’s large ball thrust bearing provides very smooth, quiet movement for a luxury brand rotating TV and stand. Manufactured in segments for easy shipping and storing of inventory,  in addition, the thrust bearing features a cage with oval pockets so balls can self-centre, plus integrated friction brakes for precise, effortless operation.

Read more about thrust bearings and what BNL plastic thrust bearings can offer you.

 

Do you think a plastic thrust bearing might bring advantages to your product development? We offer a machine tear down service, where we can investigate ways in which our plastic thrust bearings could benefit the performance and efficiency of your product.

CLICK HERE TO ASK AN ENGINEER ABOUT YOUR THRUST BEARING REQUIREMENTS AND SEE IF A BETTER VALUE THRUST BEARING IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR APPLICATION