Self-aligning ball bearings were invented by SKF. They have two rows of balls and a common concave sphered raceway in the outer ring. The bearings are consequently self-aligning and insensitive to angular misalignments of the shaft relative to the housing.

Self-aligning ball bearings of the E design have an improved internal design which gives them a higher

load carrying capacity within the same boundary dimensions compared with the original design. The range of applications for which the bearings can be used is consequently extended and the bearings can either carry heavier loads than before, or, under the same loads, they will achieve longer lives and higher operational reliability.

E-design self-aligning ball bearings incorporate a glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 cage as standard. SKF produces several designs of self-aligning ball bearings. The more popular are

  • open bearings of the basic design

  • bearings sealed at both sides

  • bearings with extended inner ring

They are particularly suitable for applications where considerable shaft bending or errors of alignment are to be expected.