Bearings extend the working life of wheels, pulleys, and other rotating parts by reducing friction and enabling parts to move smoothly. Also called slewing rings or slewing bearings, they are installed between two surfaces to keep parts aligned and support axial and radial loads.Ball bearings can support moderate radial loads and moderate axial loads (parallel to the shaft). They can operate at high speeds. Ball bearings with shields or seals for protection are usually lubricated to last for the operating life.Bearings Direct is a ball bearings supplier with over twenty years of experience in the industry. Ball bearings consist of a series of round balls in a casing, within an inner and outer ring capable of supporting both radial and axial (thrust) loads.

Generally, all types of machinery are provided with supports for rotating shafts, the supporting device is known as a bearing. In other words, a bearing is a machine element that constrains relative motions and used to reduce the friction between moving parts.