NewBee Machinery is a professional machinery parts manufacturer providing high quality precision bearings, high-quality non-standard transmission components, and intelligent CNC equipment and more.
NewBee Machinery is a professional machinery parts manufacturer providing high quality precision bearings, high-quality non-standard transmission components, and intelligent CNC equipment and more.
A bearing cage, also known as a bearing retainer, is one of the core components of a bearing. Its primary function is to distribute the rolling elements (such as steel balls and rollers) inside the bearing at uniform intervals, preventing mutual collision and friction between the rolling elements. Meanwhile, it guides the rolling elements to operate stably within the raceway, ensuring uniform load transmission. Its structural design and material selection directly affect the bearing’s rotational speed, service life, vibration, noise, and stability, making it a key factor determining the overall performance of the bearing. As a professional manufacturer of bearings and accessories, NEWBEE Transmission’s bearing cages, leveraging advanced bearing cage design and high-quality bearing cage material, can reduce the bearing’s vibration value by 15%-20% and extend its service life to 1.3 times that of ordinary cages under complex working conditions such as high speed, heavy load, and extreme temperatures. These cages are widely compatible with various products, including deep groove ball bearings, crossed roller bearings, and rolling mill bearings, fully demonstrating in-depth mastery of the technology for core bearing components.
1. Precise Guidance and Anti-Collision Function: Through the optimization of bearing cage design (e.g., evenly distributed pockets and precise wall thickness control), high-quality bearing cages can limit the spacing error of rolling elements to ≤0.1mm, preventing the rolling elements from squeezing and rubbing against each other during high-speed operation. For high-speed bearings, NEWBEE Transmission has designed a brass cage (matching brass cage bearing) with pockets featuring an arc transition structure (fillet radius R0.5-R1.0mm). This design reduces the collision noise of rolling elements to ≤55dB under 3000rpm, far lower than the 70dB standard of ordinary cages. At the same time, it reduces wear on the rolling elements and increases the bearing’s rated service life by 25%.
2. Material Advantages for Diverse Working Conditions: Different bearing cage materials cater to varying working condition requirements: - NEWBEE Transmission’s steel cage bearing (steel cage) is made of SPCC cold-rolled steel sheets, formed by stamping and surface galvanizing. With a tensile strength of 350MPa, it is suitable for heavy-load scenarios (such as construction machinery bearings) and has an impact resistance 30% higher than that of ordinary steel cages.The brass cage bearing (brass cage) is made of H62 brass and processed via precision turning. Boasting a thermal conductivity of 108W/(m·K), it is ideal for high-speed scenarios (such as machine tool spindle bearings) and exhibits a temperature rise 15℃ lower than that of steel cages under 3500rpm. - The Silver-plated cage bearing (silver-plated cage) adopts a surface silver-plating process (plating thickness 5-10μm), making it suitable for high-temperature (≤300℃) and corrosive scenarios (such as chemical equipment bearings). Its oxidation resistance is 40% higher than that of ordinary cages, fully reflecting the adaptive value of bearing cage material to working conditions.
3. Low Friction and High-Speed Adaptability: NEWBEE Transmission integrates a low-friction concept into bearing cage design. For instance, the nylon cage (PA66 material) designed for deep groove ball bearings adopts a hollow structure to reduce rotational inertia, achieving a friction coefficient as low as 0.0012. Under 2000rpm, its power loss is 18% lower than that of steel cages. For cages used in roller bearings, the contact area between pockets and rollers is optimized (contact rate ≤30%) to reduce sliding friction, increasing the bearing’s maximum applicable rotational speed by 15%-20% (e.g., the applicable speed of cylindrical roller bearings is increased from 2500rpm to 2800rpm). This design makes the bearing cage a core enabler for bearings to achieve "high speed and low consumption" and represents a key technological breakthrough in bearing cage design.
4. Structural Stability and Environmental Resistance: Relying on precision manufacturing processes, NEWBEE Transmission strictly controls the structural tolerances of bearing cages: the pocket size tolerance of brass cage bearing is ≤±0.05mm, and the wall thickness deviation is ≤0.03mm, ensuring smooth operation of rolling elements without jamming. For humid and dusty environments, the surface of steel cages is treated with Dacromet coating (thickness 8-12μm), which can withstand a 1000-hour salt spray test without rusting, making it suitable for outdoor equipment bearings. The silver-plated layer of Silver-plated cage bearing not only enhances high-temperature resistance but also improves the adsorption capacity of lubricating grease, enabling the bearing to operate stably in short-term conditions without lubrication replenishment, solving the problem of traditional cages being prone to failure in extreme environments.
5. Lightweight and Integrated Design: Modern bearing cage design tends toward lightweight and functional integration. The titanium alloy cage customized by NEWBEE Transmission for the aerospace field is 40% lighter than steel cages. It also integrates a lubricating grease storage groove (volume 0.5-1.0cm³), realizing the dual functions of "guidance + oil storage" and reducing the overall structural complexity of the bearing. For micro-bearings (inner diameter <10mm), an integrated injection-molded plastic cage (POM material) is used, with an overall weight of only 0.5-2g and no additional assembly processes required. This greatly improves the assembly efficiency of micro-bearings and reflects the diversified innovation of bearing cage design.
Based on bearing cage design, bearing cage material, and application scenarios, bearing cages can be categorized into multiple types. NEWBEE Transmission offers a full range of bearing cage types to meet the needs of different bearings:
1. Bearing Cage Types Classified by Material - Steel cage bearing (steel cage): Made of steel such as SPCC and SUS304, processed through stamping, bending, or turning. It is suitable for heavy-load and medium-low speed scenarios (e.g., construction machinery bearings, motor bearings). The surface of steel cages from NEWBEE Transmission can be customized with galvanizing or chrome plating to enhance rust resistance, making it one of the most widely used types in the industrial sector. - Brass cage bearing (brass cage): Produced from brass like H62 and H65, processed via turning or forging. It features high thermal conductivity and rigidity, making it suitable for high-speed and high-precision scenarios (e.g., machine tool spindle bearings, precision gearbox bearings). The brass cages from NEWBEE Transmission can undergo precision grinding to achieve a surface roughness of Ra ≤0.8μm, reducing friction on rolling elements. - Silver-plated cage bearing (silver-plated cage): Uses brass or stainless steel as the base material, with a silver-plated surface (plating thickness 5-20μm). It is suitable for high-temperature (≤300℃) and corrosive scenarios (e.g., chemical equipment, aero-engine bearings). The silver-plated cages from NEWBEE Transmission pass salt spray tests and high-temperature aging tests to ensure plating adhesion (≥5N/mm²) and temperature resistance. - Plastic cage: Manufactured from engineering plastics such as PA66, POM, and PEEK, formed by injection molding. It is lightweight and low-friction, suitable for medium-low speed and light-load scenarios (e.g., household appliance motor bearings, medical device bearings). NEWBEE Transmission can add glass fiber reinforcement (to improve rigidity) or graphite filling (to reduce friction) to plastic cages as required.
2. Bearing Cage Types Classified by Structural Design - Stamped cage: Mostly made of steel or brass, formed by stamping. It has a simple structure and low cost, suitable for standardized bearings (e.g., deep groove ball bearings). The stamped cages from NEWBEE Transmission use high-precision molds (tolerance ≤0.02mm) to ensure pocket consistency. - Turned cage: Typically made of brass, steel, or titanium alloy, processed by lathes. It has a precise structure and uniform wall thickness, making it suitable for high-speed and high-precision bearings (e.g., crossed roller bearings, rolling mill bearings). The turned cages from NEWBEE Transmission can be customized with special-shaped structures (e.g., with lubrication grooves, positioning steps). - Injection-molded cage: Made of plastic, formed by integrated injection molding. It can be designed with complex structures (e.g., hollow, integrated oil storage grooves) and is suitable for micro-bearings or bearings in special working conditions. The injection-molded cages from NEWBEE Transmission use imported molds to avoid defects such as flash and shrinkage holes.
As a core component of bearings, the bearing cage types and bearing cage design must be accurately matched to the bearing’s application scenario. Various bearing cages from NEWBEE Transmission have been widely applied in multiple fields:
Industrial Motor Field: Small and medium-sized motor bearings mostly use steel cage bearings (stamped steel cages). The steel cages from NEWBEE Transmission are cost-effective and highly reliable, suitable for rotational speeds of 1500-3000rpm. In water pump motors and fan motors, they can ensure the bearing operates continuously for 10,000 hours without failure. For high-power motors (>100kW), brass cage bearings are used; the high thermal conductivity of brass cages dissipates frictional heat in a timely manner, preventing bearing failure caused by motor overheating. Precision Machine Tool Field: Machine tool spindle bearings (e.g., angular contact ball bearings) have high requirements for speed and precision, so brass cage bearings (turned brass cages) are preferred. The pocket precision of brass cages from NEWBEE Transmission reaches IT7 grade; when used with P4-grade bearings, they can control the radial runout of the spindle to ≤0.003mm, meeting the needs of precision milling and grinding. For ultra-high-speed spindles (>10,000rpm), Silver-plated cage bearings are provided; the high-temperature resistance of the silver-plated layer prevents the cage from softening due to high-speed friction, ensuring stable spindle operation.
Construction Machinery Field: Bearings of heavy-load equipment such as excavators and cranes (e.g., spherical roller bearings) are equipped with steel cage bearings. The steel cages from NEWBEE Transmission adopt a thickened design (wall thickness 3-5mm), offering strong impact resistance and the ability to withstand instantaneous overloads (1.5 times the rated load) without deformation. For humid construction site environments, the surface of steel cages is galvanized, improving rust resistance by 50% and extending the bearing’s service life.
Aerospace Field: Bearings for aero-engines and satellite equipment need to adapt to extreme working conditions. NEWBEE Transmission provides customized Silver-plated cage bearings (silver-plated titanium alloy cages). The titanium alloy base material is lightweight (40% lighter than steel), and the silver-plated layer can withstand temperatures of 300℃. In aero-engine bearings, they can control the bearing’s vibration value to ≤2.0mm/s, meeting the low-vibration requirements of precision instruments. The cages of satellite antenna bearings integrate a lubricating grease storage groove, enabling long-term maintenance-free operation.
Medical Device Field: Micro-bearings (inner diameter 2-8mm) for dental handpieces and surgical robots are equipped with plastic cages (POM material). The plastic cages from NEWBEE Transmission are lightweight (weight <1g), low-noise (operating noise ≤45dB), and biocompatible (complying with FDA standards), preventing the leaching of metal ions and ensuring the safety of medical devices.
The price of bearing cages is influenced by bearing cage material, bearing cage design, specifications, and customization requirements. NEWBEE Transmission can provide a transparent quotation plan to help users accurately control costs:
1.Differences in Bearing Cage Material: Significant price gaps exist between different materials. The steel cage of steel cage bearing (SPCC material) has the lowest price, ranging from 1 to 5 US dollars per unit. The brass cage of brass cage bearing (H62 material) is 50%-80% more expensive than steel cages (3-8 US dollars per unit) due to high raw material costs and processing difficulty. The silver-plated cage of Silver-plated cage bearing (brass base material + silver plating) is 100%-150% more expensive than ordinary brass cages (6-15 US dollars per unit) due to the complex plating process. Cages made of special materials (e.g., titanium alloy, PEEK) are even more expensive, up to 20-50 US dollars per unit, suitable for high-end fields.
2. Complexity of Bearing Cage Design: Standardized stamped cages (simple structure, mass production) are relatively inexpensive. Turned cages require precision lathe processing (tolerance ≤0.01mm), so their prices are 30%-50% higher than those of stamped cages. Cages with integrated special functions (e.g., with lubrication grooves, positioning steps) see a price increase of 20%-40% due to increased design and processing difficulty (e.g., the price of brass cages with lubrication grooves customized by NEWBEE Transmission for rolling mill bearings is 25% higher than that of ordinary brass cages).
3.Specification and Size: Micro-cages (suitable for bearings with inner diameter <10mm) have a unit weight price 60%-80% higher than conventional cages (suitable for inner diameter 20-50mm) due to the high difficulty of injection molding or precision stamping. Large cages (suitable for bearings with inner diameter >200mm), such as the large steel cage of steel cage bearing, require large-scale stamping equipment or lathe processing, so their prices increase stepwise with size. For every 100mm increase in inner diameter, the price rises by 30%-50% (e.g., the price of a steel cage suitable for an inner diameter of 300mm is 40% higher than that for 200mm).
4. Customization Requirements: Customized surface treatments (e.g., chrome plating for steel cage bearing, polishing for brass cage bearing) increase the price by 15%-20%. Special bearing cage designs (e.g., special-shaped pockets, integrated sensor mounting positions) lead to a price increase of 30%-50% due to the need to redesign molds and processes. Small-batch customization (<100 units) is 20%-30% more expensive than bulk orders (>1000 units) due to high production debugging costs. For specific quotations, you can contact NEWBEE Transmission to obtain a tailored plan.
1. Matching Working Conditions with Bearing Cage Material: Select materials based on the bearing’s rotational speed, load, temperature, and environment. For high-speed (>3000rpm) and high-precision scenarios, prioritize brass cage bearings (brass cages); for heavy-load (>50kN) and medium-low speed scenarios, choose steel cage bearings (steel cages); for high-temperature (>200℃) and corrosive scenarios, opt for Silver-plated cage bearings (silver-plated cages) or special plastic cages (PEEK material). NEWBEE Transmission can recommend the optimal bearing cage material based on working condition parameters to avoid cage failure caused by improper materials (e.g., softening and deformation of ordinary plastic cages at high temperatures).
2.Adapting Bearing Cage Design to Bearing Type: Different bearings require matching bearing cage designs. Deep groove ball bearings are suitable for stamped cages (simple structure, low cost); crossed roller bearings for turned cages (precise pockets, stable support); and micro-bearings for injection-molded cages (lightweight, integrated). When purchasing, confirm that the number and size of the cage’s pockets match the rolling elements (e.g., for a cage suitable for φ10mm steel balls, the pocket diameter should be 10.2-10.5mm). NEWBEE Transmission offers a full range of bearing cage types and can accurately match cages according to bearing models (e.g., 6205 deep groove ball bearings, CRBH150 crossed roller bearings).
3. Precision and Tolerance Requirements: High-precision bearings (e.g., P4 grade, P2 grade) require cages with high dimensional precision (pocket tolerance ≤±0.03mm, wall thickness deviation ≤0.02mm). The brass cage bearings and Silver-plated cage bearings from NEWBEE Transmission can meet high-precision requirements through precision processing. For ordinary bearings (e.g., P0 grade, P6 grade), cages with conventional precision are sufficient to balance performance and cost. When purchasing, you can request precision inspection reports (e.g., dimensional tolerance, surface roughness data) from the supplier to ensure the cage matches the bearing’s precision.
4. Supplier Qualifications and Quality Assurance: Choose suppliers with a complete production chain (material procurement - processing and forming - finished product inspection) like NEWBEE Transmission. They can provide bearing cage material reports (e.g., brass composition analysis, steel mechanical performance testing), service life test data (e.g., 1000-hour high-speed operation testing), and after-sales technical support. Avoid purchasing products from unqualified small factories (e.g., thin-walled steel cages with corners cut, which are prone to fracture and cause bearing failure). All bearing cages from NEWBEE Transmission undergo 100% dimensional inspection and load testing, with each batch of products attached with a quality traceability code to ensure reliability.
5. Cost and Batch Rationality: When comparing quotations from different suppliers, consider bearing cage types, materials, and batch sizes. Bulk purchases (>1000 units) can enjoy unit price discounts (e.g., the unit price of steel cage bearing bulk orders from NEWBEE Transmission is 15%-20% lower than retail).For customized products, balance functional requirements and costs (e.g., Silver-plated cage bearings are unnecessary if not required; galvanized steel cages can be prioritized to reduce costs). NEWBEE Transmission can provide cost-effective solutions based on purchase volume and requirements, avoiding cost waste caused by excessive pursuit of high-end configurations.
NEWBEE Transmission is a professional manufacturer of bearing cages. With over a decade of experience in the field of core bearing components, it offers a full range of bearing cage types, including steel cage bearings, brass cage bearings, Silver-plated cage bearings, and plastic cages. These cages are suitable for bearings with inner diameters ranging from 2mm to 1000mm and can be customized with bearing cage designs (e.g., special-shaped pockets, integrated lubrication grooves, special surface treatments) according to customer needs. Relying on advanced manufacturing equipment and strict quality control, the production process of NEWBEE Transmission’s bearing cages achieves a high level of precision: steel cages are processed using imported German stamping machines (tolerance control ≤0.02mm); brass cages are manufactured via Japanese OKUMA lathes (surface roughness Ra ≤0.8μm); and the silver-plating process for Silver-plated cage bearings adopts vacuum electroplating technology (plating uniformity ≤±1μm). Combined with the ISO 9001 quality management system, each batch of cages undergoes "full-dimensional inspection" (e.g., pocket diameter, wall thickness), "load testing" (simulating the stress on bearings during operation), and "environmental testing" (salt spray, high-temperature aging) to ensure 100% compliance of delivered bearing cages. Currently, NEWBEE Transmission’s bearing cages have been widely used in global bearing enterprises. Among them, brass cage bearings have become the mainstream choice for precision machine tool bearings, steel cage bearings occupy a significant market share in the construction machinery field, and Silver-plated cage bearings serve customers in the aerospace and high-end equipment sectors. For detailed parameters of bearing cages (e.g., material mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances), bearing cage design plans, or quotations, you can contact the technical team of NEWBEE Transmission directly.
1. Standard Installation Operation: When installing a bearing cage, ensure the coaxiality deviation between the cage, rolling elements, and inner/outer rings is ≤0.05mm. Avoid forcibly striking the cage (e.g., when installing a brass cage bearing, use a special tool to apply uniform pressure; hammering is prohibited to prevent cage deformation). For split cages, assemble the rolling elements and cage in sequence to ensure the pockets fully enclose the rolling elements (e.g., for the turned cage of crossed roller bearings, confirm each roller is locked into the pocket to prevent falling off during operation). NEWBEE Transmission provides an installation guide to help users operate standardizedly and avoid cage damage caused by improper installation.
2.Lubrication and Cleaning Management: The lubrication of the bearing cage should be synchronized with the overall lubrication of the bearing. Steel cage bearings and brass cage bearings are compatible with extreme pressure lithium-based grease and polyurea grease, with a filling amount of 1/2-2/3 of the bearing’s internal space. Ensure the cage’s pockets are filled with lubricating grease to reduce friction between the rolling elements and the cage. For Silver-plated cage bearings in high-temperature scenarios, use high-temperature resistant lubricating grease (e.g., perfluoropolyether grease) to prevent cage wear caused by grease failure. Before installation, clean the cage surface (e.g., remove oil stains and impurities) to prevent impurities from entering the pockets and causing rolling element jamming.
3. Regular Inspection and Replacement: During daily operation, monitor the bearing’s vibration, noise, and temperature. If abnormalities occur (e.g., vibration value >4mm/s, sudden temperature rise >15℃), shut down the machine to inspect the bearing cage (potential causes include cage wear, fracture, or rolling element jamming). Every 500-1000 operating hours, inspect the cage status by disassembling the bearing or using an endoscope (e.g., check if the pockets of brass cage bearings are worn, or if the plating of Silver-plated cage bearings is peeling). When the cage is cracked, deformed, or severely worn, replace it promptly (e.g., a fractured steel cage will cause rolling elements to collide, leading to bearing scrapping). NEWBEE Transmission can provide matching replacement cages to ensure the bearing resumes operation quickly.
For the latest prices, bearing cage design plans, or technical materials of bearing cages (including steel cage bearings, brass cage bearings, and Silver-plated cage bearings), please contact NEWBEE Transmission:
Email: paul@newbeetrans.com
Official Website: www.newbeetrans.com
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sales@newbeetrans.com
+8615090185276