Pillow block bearings, flange bearing units, bearing blocks and take-up bearings units all consist of a housing with a bearing mounted in it. They are available in a variety of materials, mounting configurations and various bearing features. Each mounted unit, including a mounted bearing, acts as a system to position the bearing securely for reliable operation.

AST offers two types of insert bearings designed for use in mounted bearing units. They are divided by size with the smaller, miniature insert bearings called collar clamp ball bearings and the larger ones called ER Series insert bearings.

ER Style Bearings

ER style bearings are insert bearings with an extended inner ring. They are specifically designed for mounting on shafts without using adapters, lock-nuts, or shoulders. They are popular in many applications due to their versatility and cost effectiveness. The bearing is typically locked in place using setscrews (or a locking eccentric collar). The inner ring usually extends on both sides of the bearing to provide extra shaft support.

ER Series insert bearings are typically used in applications in the following industries:

• Agricultural
• Conveyor / conveyance
• Construction
• Food and beverage processing
• Packaging
• Textile

AST’s ER Series Insert Bearings are available in both metric and inch bore dimensions (Note: Both metric and inch bore series have “metric” outer diameters). They accommodate standard shaft sizes from 12 mm to 60 mm and 1/2” to 1-7/8” respectively.

Collar Clamp Ball Bearings

Similar to the ER Series Insert Bearings, the Collar Clamp Ball Bearings are used to easily install a on a shaft with a simple set screw. Essentially, they are “miniature insert bearings” with bores starting at 3/16″ and going up to 1/2″. AST offers them with and without snap rings to aid in mounting. The packaging industry among others are frequent users of this type of miniature insert bearing.

How to Select and Order ER Series Cartridge Ball Bearing Inserts

If you need help in selecting the best products for your particular application, please remember that design engineering and application assistance are available from AST as part of our value-added services.

AST offers free 3D CAD model downloads in our online catalog and product specifier: click here to for ER Series bearing inserts and here for collar clamp ball bearings.