Q: What equipment are spherical roller bearings with different cage structures used for? For example, 22315E, 2231 5CA/W33, 22315CC/W33, 22315MB. Where are the different cages used?

A: The cage of spherical roller bearings is made of steel plate or brass. Products with different structures will use cages of different materials and structures. 

The commonly used spherical roller bearing structure is shown in the figure below:

CC bearings have two window-type pressed steel cages, an inner ring without ribs and a floating guide ring guided by the inner ring. CC bearings have a designation suffix of C or CC. Large CC bearings with a designation suffix of EC or ECC have an optimized internal design for increased load carrying capacity.

CA bearings have a fork-type machined brass cage, an inner ring with locating ribs on both sides and a floating guide ring guided by the inner ring. The ribs on the inner ring hold the rollers in place when the bearing is rotated during installation or maintenance. The ribs are not intended to guide the rollers or to carry any axial loads. CA bearings have a designation suffix of CA. Large CA bearings with a designation suffix of ECA have an optimized internal design for increased load carrying capacity.

E bearings have two window-type pressed steel cages, an inner ring without ribs and a floating guide ring guided by the inner ring (d≤65 mm) or cage (d>65 mm). They have a lubrication groove and three lubrication holes in the outer ring. E bearings have a designation suffix of E. All E-type bearings have an optimized internal design for increased load carrying capacity.

MB bearings have two open machined brass cages, an inner ring with locating ribs on both sides and a center rib, which hold the rollers in place when the bearing is rotated during installation or maintenance. The ribs are not intended to guide the rollers or to carry any axial loads. MB-type bearings have the designation suffix MB. Large bearings with the designation suffix MB have an optimized internal design for increased load carrying capacity.

The function of the rolling bearing cage is to enclose and isolate the rolling elements and move with them, and usually also to guide the rolling elements.

The main functions of the cage are:

1. Keep the rolling elements at an appropriate distance to prevent them from contacting each other to reduce friction;

2. Evenly distribute the rolling elements so that the load is evenly distributed;

3. Guide the rolling elements in the load-free zone to improve the rolling conditions in the bearing and prevent damaging sliding.

CC and E types are stamped steel cages, which are stamped with high-quality carbon steel plates.

The product is light in weight, good in toughness, easy to process, occupies a small space between the inner and outer rings of the bearing, and the lubricant easily enters the bearing raceway and remains in the cage. Steel stamped cages are generally used in small and medium-sized rolling bearings.

CA and MB type cages are made of high-strength brass castings. This type of product has the advantages of high strength, good vibration resistance, low friction coefficient, and good thermal conductivity. It is suitable for medium, large and extra-large bearings.

For general conditions, products of these structures can be selected. However, when the application has a large impact load, it is recommended to use bearings with a split cage structure, such as MB and E products.