The number of applications for NSK rolling bearings is almost countless and the operating conditions and environments also vary greatly. In addition, the diversity of operating conditions and bearing requirements continue to grow with the rapid advancement of technology. Therefore, it is necessary to study bearings carefully from many angles to select the best one from the thousands of types and sizes available. Please refer to SKF bearing selection.

Usually, a bearing type is provisionally chosen considering the operating conditions, mounting arrangement, ease of mounting in the machine, allowable space, cost, availability, and other factors.

Then the size of the NSK bearing is chosen to satisfy the desired life requirement. When doing this, in addition to fatigue life, it is necessary to consider grease life, noise and vibration, wear, and other factors.

There is no fixed procedure for selecting bearings. It is good to investigate experience with similar applications and studies relevant to any special requirements for your specific application.

An example of NSK bearing selection procedure are:

1, Operating conditions and required performance
Environmental conditions
Dimensions of shaft and housing

2, Evaluation of NSK bearing types

• Allowable space
• Magnitude and direction of loads
• Vibration and shock
• Operating speed, maximum speed
• Misalignment of inner and outer rings
• Fixing in axial direction and mounting arrangement
• Ease of bearing mounting and dismounting
• Sound and torque
• Required rigidity
• Availability and cost

3, Determination of bearing type and mounting arrangement

Determination of bearing size

• Expected life of machine
• Dynamic and static equivalent loads
• Speed
• Permissible static load factor
• Permissible axial loads (in the case of NSK cylindrical roller bearings)

4, Selection of bearing accuracy class

• Running accuracy
• Rotational stability
• Torque fluctuation

5, Examination of internal clearance

• Fitting
• Difference in temperature between inner and outer rings
• Speed
• Misalignment of inner and outer rings
• Amount of preload

6, Study of cage type and material

• Speed
• Noise
• Operating temperature
• External vibration and shock
• Rapid acceleration and deceleration
• Moment load and misalignment

7, Selection of lubricating method, lubricant, and type of seals

• Operating temperature range
• Speed
• Lubricating methods
• Type of seals
• Maintenance and inspection intervals

8, Examination of ease of mounting/ dismounting

• Procedure for mounting and dismounting
• Necessary equipment
• Dimensions affecting mounting

9, Final specifications for NSK bearing and surrounding parts