Metal Bearing Cage

Shaoxing Shangyu Flight Seiko Machinery Co., Ltd. (FTM), founded in 2006, leverages over 30 years of technical design experience to deliver high-quality bearing solutions. As specialists in R&D, manufacturing, and customization of non-standard and high-precision bearings, we understand that bearing performance hinges on the quality of every component. Our Metal Bearing Cages are a testament to this commitment, designed to optimize the function and longevity of rolling bearings in the most demanding applications.

The metal bearing cage is an indispensable component of a rolling bearing assembly, serving as a critical element that ensures the bearing’s smooth, stable, and efficient operation.

• Function: Cages are meticulously designed to separate and guide the rolling elements (balls or rollers) at uniform angular intervals. This uniform spacing is essential for distributing the load evenly and preventing contact or rubbing between the rolling elements, which would otherwise generate excessive heat and vibration.
• Performance Enhancement: By maintaining separation, our metal cages significantly reduce sliding friction and minimize wear within the bearing. This results in lower operating temperatures, reduced noise levels, and enhanced rotational accuracy and speed capabilities.
• Material Excellence: FTM manufactures metal cages from high-quality materials such as pressed steel (stamped cage), machined brass, or other specialized alloys, chosen specifically for their strength, durability, and compatibility with high-speed and high-temperature environments.

FTM Manufacturer Advantage: Precision Engineered for Peak Performance

As a manufacturer focused on high-precision and non-standard bearings, FTM offers distinct advantages in metal cage production:

1. High-Precision Manufacturing (Import Substitution): We apply the same rigorous standards used for our high-precision bearings to our cages. This ensures extremely tight tolerances and superior surface finish, which is vital for high-speed applications where cage stability is paramount. Our quality allows for effective import substitution for demanding markets.
2. Customization and Non-Standard Design: With our deep R&D experience, FTM excels at designing and manufacturing custom and non-standard metal cages tailored to unique application requirements—whether it involves specific window geometries, material treatments, or complex designs for specialized textile or engineering machinery.
3. Durability in Severe Conditions: Our material selection and manufacturing processes are optimized to produce cages that can withstand heavy shock loads, extreme accelerations, and high operating temperatures, ensuring reliability in harsh industrial settings.
4. Integrated Solution Expertise: Our professional technical team provides a holistic approach. We don’t just supply a component; we offer high-quality bearing solutions. We ensure the cage design is perfectly integrated with the rolling elements and rings for optimal overall system performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the main advantage of a metal cage (e.g., pressed steel) over a polymer cage (e.g., polyamide)?

A: Metal cages, especially pressed steel and machined brass, are generally preferred for higher operating temperatures (up to 300 or more), higher speeds, and greater mechanical strength to withstand significant inertia and shock loads. Polymer cages are often used for lower temperatures, lighter weight, and quieter operation, but they have a lower thermal limit.

2. What common materials are used for FTM’s metal bearing cages?

A: The most common materials include low-carbon pressed steel (for robustness and cost-effectiveness in standard bearings) and machined brass (for high-speed applications, better lubrication properties, and resistance to certain chemicals). The specific material is selected based on the bearing type and its intended operating environment.

3. How does the cage style (e.g., crown type vs. two-piece riveted) affect bearing performance?

A: The style impacts speed and load capacity. Crown/Snap-on cages are simple and common for smaller ball bearings. Two-piece riveted cages are highly robust, commonly used in larger or heavily loaded bearings, and are easier to assemble with a large number of rolling elements. The design choice is critical for managing cage stresses at high RPM.

4. Can FTM customize the lubrication features of the metal cage?

A: Yes. For machined brass cages, we can incorporate specific features like lubrication pockets or treated surfaces to enhance lubricant flow, retention, and distribution. This customization is key for maintenance-free or minimum-lubrication applications.

5. What tests do FTM’s metal cages undergo to ensure their high quality?

A: Our metal cages undergo rigorous quality control, including dimensional checks (using CMMs and specialized gauges to verify precision tolerances), material analysis (to confirm composition and strength), hardness testing, and sometimes dynamic vibration testing or fatigue testing to simulate real-world operating stresses and confirm durability.