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What Is a Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cage?

A Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cage, also known as a deep groove ball bearing retainer, is a core component of deep groove ball bearings. Its primary function is to distribute the steel balls inside the bearing at uniform circumferential intervals, preventing the steel balls from colliding and rubbing against each other during high-speed operation. Meanwhile, it guides the steel balls to roll stably in the deep groove raceways of the inner and outer rings, ensuring that radial loads are evenly transmitted to the raceways. The rationality of its bearing cage design and the adaptability of its bearing cage material directly determine the maximum rotational speed, vibration and noise levels, and service life of the deep groove ball bearing, making it a key factor for the bearing to achieve "low friction and high stability" operation. As a professional manufacturer of bearings and accessories, NEWBEE Transmission’s Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages, with optimized bearing cage design and high-quality bearing cage material, can reduce the vibration value of deep groove ball bearings by 18%-22% and extend their service life to 1.4 times that of ordinary cages under operating conditions of 2000-5000 rpm. They are widely compatible with mainstream deep groove ball bearings such as Series 60, Series 62, and Series 63, fully demonstrating in-depth mastery of the technology for core components of deep groove ball bearings.

Features of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Precise Guidance and Anti-Collision Function: Through the optimization of bearing cage design (e.g., equidistantly distributed pockets and precise pocket curvature radius), high-quality Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages can control the spacing error of steel balls within ≤0.08 mm, preventing scratches caused by mutual extrusion of steel balls during high-speed operation. For high-speed deep groove ball bearings (e.g., Model 6315), NEWBEE Transmission has designed a cage matching the brass cage bearing, with pockets adopting a double-arc transition structure (the matching degree between the curvature radius and the steel ball diameter reaches 99%). This design reduces the collision noise of steel balls to ≤52 dB under 5000 rpm, far lower than the 65 dB standard of ordinary plastic cages. At the same time, it reduces the wear of steel balls and increases the rated service life of the bearing by 30%.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]--> Material Advantages for Diverse Working Conditions: Different bearing cage materials correspond to different working condition requirements: - NEWBEE Transmission's steel cage bearing (steel cage) is made of SPCC cold-rolled steel sheets, formed by stamping and surface passivation. With a tensile strength of 340 MPa, it is suitable for heavy-load scenarios (such as motor bearings and construction machinery bearings) and has an impact resistance 25% higher than that of ordinary steel cages. - The brass cage bearing (brass cage) is made of H62 brass and processed by precision turning. With a thermal conductivity of 105 W/(m·K), it is suitable for high-speed scenarios (such as auxiliary bearings for machine tool spindles) and has a temperature rise 12℃ lower than that of steel cages under 4000 rpm. - The Silver-plated cage bearing (silver-plated cage) uses brass as the base material and is silver-plated on the surface (plating thickness 5-8 μm). It is suitable for high-temperature (≤280℃) and weakly corrosive scenarios (such as food machinery bearings) and has an oxidation resistance 35% higher than that of ordinary cages, fully reflecting the adaptive value of bearing cage material to working conditions.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Low Friction and High-Speed Adaptability: NEWBEE Transmission integrates the concept of low friction into the bearing cage design of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages. For example, the plastic cage (PA66 + glass fiber material) designed for micro deep groove ball bearings (e.g., Model 608) adopts a hollow pocket structure to reduce rotational inertia, with a friction coefficient as low as 0.0011. Under 3000 rpm, its power loss is 20% lower than that of steel cages. For the cages of large deep groove ball bearings (e.g., Model 6330), the contact area between the pockets and steel balls is optimized (contact rate ≤25%) to reduce sliding friction, increasing the maximum applicable rotational speed of the bearing by 15%-18% (e.g., from 3000 rpm to 3500 rpm). This design makes the Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cage a core support for deep groove ball bearings to achieve "high speed and low consumption" and represents a key technological breakthrough in bearing cage design.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Structural Stability and Environmental Resistance: Relying on precision manufacturing processes, NEWBEE Transmission strictly controls the structural tolerances of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages: the pocket size tolerance of the cage matching the brass cage bearing is ≤±0.04 mm, and the wall thickness deviation is ≤0.02 mm, ensuring that the steel balls operate without jamming. For humid and dusty environments, the surface of steel cages is treated with Dacromet coating (thickness 8-10 μm), which can pass an 800-hour salt spray test without rusting, making it suitable for outdoor fan motor bearings. The silver-plated layer of the Silver-plated cage bearing not only improves high-temperature resistance but also enhances the adsorption capacity of lubricating grease, enabling the bearing to operate stably in short-term working conditions without lubrication replenishment (such as emergency motors), solving the problem that traditional cages are prone to failure in extreme environments.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Lightweight and Low-Cost Balanced Design: Modern bearing cage design tends to pursue the dual goals of "lightweight + low cost". The plastic cage (POM material) designed by NEWBEE Transmission for household motor bearings (e.g., Model 6204) has an overall weight of only 1.2-2.5 g, 50% lighter than steel cages. Moreover, through integrated injection molding, its production cost is reduced by 30%. For mid-to-high-end scenarios, the cage adopting the "brass + local hollow" design is 25% lighter than the solid brass cage while maintaining high rigidity, making it suitable for equipment that requires both precision and lightweight (such as power tool bearings), reflecting the diversified innovation of bearing cage design.

Main Types of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages (bearing cage types)

Based on bearing cage design, bearing cage material, and application scenarios, Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages can be divided into multiple types. NEWBEE Transmission can provide a full range of bearing cage types to meet the needs of different deep groove ball bearings:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Bearing Cage Types Classified by Material - Steel cage bearing (steel cage): Made of steel such as SPCC and SUS304, formed by stamping and bending. It is suitable for heavy-load and medium-low speed scenarios (such as motor bearings and conveyor machinery bearings). The surface of the steel cage from NEWBEE Transmission can be customized with passivation and galvanizing treatments to enhance rust resistance. Among them, the steel cage compatible with Series 63 bearings has a pocket consistency tolerance of ≤0.03 mm, making it one of the most widely used types in the industrial field. - Brass cage bearing (brass cage): Made of brass such as H62 and H65, processed by turning or forging. It has the characteristics of high thermal conductivity and rigidity, making it suitable for high-speed and high-precision scenarios (such as auxiliary bearings for machine tools and precision gearbox bearings). The brass cage from NEWBEE Transmission can be precision ground to achieve a surface roughness of Ra ≤0.6 μm, reducing friction on steel balls and compatible with medium and large deep groove ball bearings of Series 62 and Series 63. - Silver-plated cage bearing (silver-plated cage): Uses brass as the base material and is silver-plated on the surface (plating thickness 5-12 μm). It is suitable for high-temperature (≤280℃) and weakly corrosive scenarios (such as food machinery and pharmaceutical equipment bearings). The silver-plated cage from NEWBEE Transmission passes the salt spray test (no plating peeling within 500 hours) and high-temperature aging test (no softening within 100 hours at 280℃) to ensure plating adhesion (≥4.5 N/mm²) and temperature resistance. - Plastic cage: Made of engineering plastics such as PA66, POM, and PEEK, formed by injection molding. It is lightweight, low-friction, and low-cost, suitable for medium-low speed and light-load scenarios (such as household appliance motor bearings and medical device bearings). NEWBEE Transmission can add glass fiber reinforcement (increasing rigidity by 30%) or graphite filling (reducing friction by 20%) to the plastic cage according to requirements, making it compatible with micro deep groove ball bearings of Series 60.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Bearing Cage Types Classified by Structural Design - Stamped cage: Mostly made of steel or thin brass, formed by high-precision stamping dies. It has a simple structure and high production efficiency, suitable for standardized deep groove ball bearings (such as Series 6000 and Series 6200). The stamped cage from NEWBEE Transmission uses imported German dies (tolerance ≤0.02 mm) to ensure the matching degree between the pockets and steel balls, avoiding assembly jamming. - Injection-molded cage: Made of plastic, formed by integrated injection molding. It can be designed with complex structures (such as pocket reinforcing ribs and lubricating grease storage grooves), suitable for micro and small deep groove ball bearings (such as Models 608 and 6201). The injection-molded cage from NEWBEE Transmission uses imported POM raw materials to avoid defects such as flash and shrinkage holes, making it suitable for cost-sensitive fields such as household appliances and toys. - Turned cage: Mostly made of brass or steel, processed by precision lathes. It has a precise structure and uniform wall thickness, suitable for high-speed and high-precision deep groove ball bearings (such as Models 6320 and 6322). The turned cage from NEWBEE Transmission can be customized with special-shaped structures (such as with positioning bosses and weight-reducing holes), making it suitable for equipment with strict precision requirements (such as precision testing instrument bearings).

 Application Fields of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages

As a core component of deep groove ball bearings, the bearing cage types and bearing cage design of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages need to be accurately matched to the application scenarios of the bearings. Various Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages from NEWBEE Transmission have been widely applied in multiple fields:

Industrial Motor Field: Steel cage bearings (stamped steel cages) are mostly used for small and medium-sized motor (1-10 kW) bearings. The steel cages from NEWBEE Transmission are low-cost and highly reliable, suitable for rotational speeds of 1500-3000 rpm. In water pump motors and fan motors, they can ensure the bearings operate continuously for 8000 hours without failure. For high-power motors (>10 kW), brass cage bearings are used; the high thermal conductivity of brass cages can timely dissipate frictional heat, preventing bearing failure caused by motor overheating.

Household Appliance Field: Plastic cages (PA66 material) are mostly used for the motor bearings of household appliances such as washing machines and air conditioners. The plastic cages from NEWBEE Transmission are lightweight and low-noise (operating noise ≤48 dB), suitable for rotational speeds of 1000-2000 rpm, and their cost is only 60% of that of steel cages, meeting the "low cost and high stability" needs of the household appliance industry. For the cooling fan bearings of high-temperature household appliances such as microwave ovens and ovens, Silver-plated cage bearings are used; the silver-plated layer can withstand high temperatures of 250℃, avoiding the softening of plastic cages at high temperatures.

Automotive Field: Brass cage bearings (turned brass cages) are mostly used for automotive generator bearings and air conditioning compressor bearings. The brass cages from NEWBEE Transmission are suitable for rotational speeds of 3000-4500 rpm, have strong vibration resistance, and can maintain stable operation under bumpy automotive working conditions. Stamped steel cages are used for automotive wiper and window motor bearings; they are low-cost and impact-resistant, suitable for medium-low speed working conditions.

Precision Instrument Field: Cages matching brass cage bearings are mostly used for auxiliary bearings of coordinate measuring machines and laser marking machines. The pocket precision of the brass cages from NEWBEE Transmission reaches IT6 grade; when used with P4-grade deep groove ball bearings, they can control the radial runout of the bearings to ≤0.004 mm, meeting the low-vibration requirements of precision instruments. For testing equipment in high-temperature environments (such as sensor bearings inside ovens), Silver-plated cage bearings are used, suitable for high-temperature working conditions within 260℃.

Medical Device Field: Micro plastic cages (POM material) are mostly used for the drive bearings of dental handpieces and electric wheelchairs. The plastic cages from NEWBEE Transmission have a weight of only 0.3-1 g, suitable for high-speed operation of 8000-10000 rpm, and have biocompatibility (complying with FDA standards) to avoid the precipitation of metal ions. Steel cage bearings are used for the bearings of blood analyzers and ultrasonic equipment; they have strong rust resistance and are suitable for humid medical environments.

Factors Affecting the Price of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages

The price of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages is affected 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:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Differences in Bearing Cage Material: There are significant price differences between different materials. The steel cage of steel cage bearing (SPCC material) has the lowest price, ranging from 0.5 to 3 US dollars per unit (compatible with Series 60 and Series 62 bearings). The brass cage of brass cage bearing (H62 material) is 60%-90% more expensive than steel cages (1.2-5 US dollars per unit, compatible with Series 63 and Series 64 bearings) due to high raw material costs and processing difficulty. The silver-plated cage of Silver-plated cage bearing (brass base material + silver plating) is 120%-160% more expensive than ordinary brass cages (3-10 US dollars per unit) due to the complex plating process. Cages made of special materials (such as PEEK plastic) are even more expensive, up to 8-20 US dollars per unit, suitable for high-end medical and aerospace scenarios.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Complexity of Bearing Cage Design: Standardized stamped cages (such as the steel cage compatible with Model 6204 bearings) have a simple structure and are mass-produced, so their prices are relatively low. Turned cages (such as the brass cage compatible with Model 6320 bearings) require precision lathe processing (tolerance ≤0.01 mm), so their prices are 40%-60% higher than those of stamped cages. Cages with integrated special functions (such as plastic cages with lubricating grease storage grooves) have a price increase of 25%-35% due to increased design and mold costs (e.g., the price of the plastic cage with oil storage grooves customized by NEWBEE Transmission for household appliance bearings is 30% higher than that of ordinary plastic cages).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Specification and Size: Micro cages (compatible with Series 60 bearings with inner diameter <10 mm, such as Model 608) have a unit weight price 70%-90% higher than that of conventional cages (compatible with Series 62 and Series 63 bearings with inner diameter 20-50 mm) due to the high difficulty of injection molding or precision stamping. Large cages (compatible with Series 63 and Series 64 bearings with inner diameter >60 mm, such as Model 6330) require large-scale stamping equipment or lathe processing, so their prices increase stepwise with size. For every 20 mm increase in inner diameter, the price rises by 25%-40% (e.g., the price of the steel cage compatible with an inner diameter of 80 mm is 35% higher than that compatible with an inner diameter of 60 mm).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Customization Requirements: Customized surface treatments (such as chrome plating for steel cage bearing and polishing for brass cage bearing) increase the price by 15%-20%. Special bearing cage designs (such as special-shaped pockets and integrated sensor mounting grooves) lead to a price increase of 35%-55% due to the need to redesign molds and processes. Small-batch customization (<500 units) is 25%-35% more expensive than bulk orders (>5000 units) due to high production debugging costs. For specific quotations, you can contact NEWBEE Transmission to obtain an exclusive plan.

What Factors Should Be Considered When Purchasing Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages?

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Matching Working Conditions with Bearing Cage Material: Select materials based on the rotational speed, load, temperature, and environment of the deep groove ball bearing. For high-speed (>3000 rpm) and high-precision scenarios, prioritize brass cage bearings (brass cages); for heavy-load (>15 kN) and medium-low speed scenarios, choose steel cage bearings (steel cages); for high-temperature (>180℃) and weakly corrosive scenarios, opt for Silver-plated cage bearings (silver-plated cages) or PEEK plastic cages. NEWBEE Transmission can recommend the optimal bearing cage material based on working condition parameters (such as rotational speed 2500 rpm and load 8 kN) to avoid cage failure caused by improper materials (e.g., softening and deformation of ordinary plastic cages at 120℃).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Adapting Bearing Cage Design to Bearing Model: Different models of deep groove ball bearings require matching bearing cage designs. Micro/small bearings of Series 60 and Series 62 are compatible with stamped or injection-molded cages (simple structure, low cost); medium and large bearings of Series 63 and Series 64 are compatible with turned cages (precise pockets, stable support). When purchasing, confirm that the number and size of the cage’s pockets match the steel balls (e.g., for a cage compatible with φ7 mm steel balls, the pocket diameter should be 7.1-7.3 mm). NEWBEE Transmission provides a full range of bearing cage types and can accurately match cages according to bearing models (such as 6205, 6312, and 608).

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Precision and Tolerance Requirements: High-precision deep groove ball bearings (such as P4 grade and P5 grade) require cages with high dimensional precision (pocket tolerance ≤±0.03 mm, wall thickness deviation ≤0.02 mm). The brass cage bearings and Silver-plated cage bearings from NEWBEE Transmission can meet high-precision requirements through precision processing. For ordinary bearings (such as P0 grade and P6 grade), cages with conventional precision are sufficient to balance performance and cost. When purchasing, you can request precision inspection reports (such as dimensional tolerance and surface roughness data) from the supplier to ensure the cage matches the bearing’s precision.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->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 (such as brass composition analysis and steel mechanical performance testing), service life test data (such as 2000-hour high-speed operation testing), and after-sales technical support. Avoid purchasing products from unqualified small factories (such as thin-walled steel cages with corners cut, which are prone to fracture and cause bearing jamming). All Deep Groove Ball 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.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Cost and Batch Rationality: When comparing quotations from different suppliers, consider bearing cage types, materials, and batch sizes. Bulk purchases (>5000 units) can enjoy unit price discounts (e.g., the unit price of steel cage bearing bulk orders from NEWBEE Transmission is 18%-25% 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.

A High-Quality Supplier of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages - NEWBEE Transmission

NEWBEE Transmission is a professional manufacturer of Deep Groove Ball 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 compatible with deep groove ball bearings with inner diameters ranging from 5 mm to 150 mm (Series 60, Series 62, Series 63, Series 64) and can be customized with bearing cage designs (such as special-shaped pockets, integrated lubrication grooves, and special surface treatments) according to customer needs. Relying on advanced manufacturing equipment and strict quality control, the production process of NEWBEE Transmission’s Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages achieves a high level of precision: steel cages are processed using imported German stamping machines (tolerance control ≤0.02 mm); brass cages are manufactured via Japanese OKUMA lathes (surface roughness Ra ≤0.6 μm); and the silver-plating process for Silver-plated cage bearings adopts vacuum electroplating technology (plating uniformity ≤±1 μm). 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 cages. Currently, NEWBEE Transmission’s Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages have been widely used in global bearing enterprises. Among them, brass cage bearings have become the mainstream choice for precision motor bearings, steel cage bearings occupy a significant market share in the industrial motor field, and Silver-plated cage bearings serve customers in high-end medical and aerospace equipment sectors. For detailed parameters of Deep Groove Ball 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.

Precautions for the Use and Maintenance of Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cages

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Standard Installation Operation: When installing a Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cage, ensure the coaxiality deviation between the cage, steel balls, and inner/outer rings is ≤0.05 mm. Avoid forcibly striking the cage (e.g., when installing the cage matching the brass cage bearing, use a special press-fitting tool to apply uniform pressure; hammering is prohibited to prevent cage deformation). For split cages, assemble in the order of "steel balls - cage - inner ring" to ensure each pocket fully encloses the steel balls (e.g., for the cage compatible with Model 6205 bearings, confirm that all 6 steel balls are clamped into the pockets) to prevent the steel balls from falling off during operation. NEWBEE Transmission provides an installation guide to help users operate standardizedly and avoid cage damage caused by improper installation.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Lubrication and Cleaning Management: The lubrication of the Deep Groove Ball Bearing Cage should be synchronized with the overall lubrication of the bearing. Cages matching 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 steel balls and the cage. For Silver-plated cage bearings in high-temperature scenarios, use high-temperature resistant lubricating grease (such as perfluoropolyether grease) to prevent cage wear caused by grease failure. Before installation, clean the cage surface (e.g., remove oil stains and metal debris) to prevent impurities from entering the pockets and causing steel ball jamming.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Regular Inspection and Replacement: During daily operation, monitor the bearing’s vibration, noise, and temperature. If abnormalities occur (e.g., vibration value >3.5 mm/s, sudden temperature rise >15℃), shut down the machine to inspect the cage (potential causes include cage wear, pocket deformation, or steel ball jamming). Every 800-1500 operating hours, inspect the cage status by disassembling the bearing or using an endoscope (e.g., check if the pockets of the cage matching the brass cage bearing are worn, or if the plating of the Silver-plated cage bearing is peeling). When the cage is cracked, deformed, or severely worn, replace it promptly (e.g., a fractured steel cage will cause steel balls 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 Deep Groove Ball 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