Does adding more bearings reduce friction?

Answer 1

As long as the bearing is placed somewhere where it will roll in the desired motion of the object. The point of bearings is to create the least contact possible between the object being moved and the bearing.

Answer 2

Bearings reduce friction by providing smooth metal balls or rollers, and a smooth inner and outer metal surface for the balls to roll against. The smoothness of the metal reduces the friction and the surface area.

Answer 3

Ball bearings are types of rolling-elements bearings that carry loads and position moving machine parts while facilitating motion. Ball bearings consist of four major parts which are: 2 rings/races, the balls (the rolling elements), and the retainer (the ball separator).

A high-quality ball bearing is a precision item. The rings and balls are machined to precise tolerances and roundness. The balls and ball tracks (or raceways) are highly polished to ensure that the bearing rotates smoothly and easily. Frictional torque, or turning resistance in layman's terms, is extremely low.

Bearings with no lubrication have the lowest turning resistance, but steel ball bearings should be lubricated unless turning speeds are extremely low. They can be lubricated with a low torque instrument oil, but depending on speed and operating time, they may require constant lubrication with an oil bath, jet, or spray. A shielded bearing pre-lubricated with a finely filtered, low torque grease to provide a constant film of oil between balls and raceways while also helping to radiate any heat away from the points of contact is a simpler alternative.

Imagine the heat, vibration, turning resistance and rapid wear that would result from rotating a steel shaft, at speed, in a steel housing without the use of bearings. The noise and the excessive amount of steel debris would soon let you know that something was wrong. We have come a long way from the days of packing grease or fat between wooden cart wheels and axles to reduce friction and with constant advances in manufacturing and steel and lubricant technology, the number of low friction options for a wide variety of products continues to grow.

Answer 4

Adding more bearings can help distribute the load more evenly, potentially reducing friction in certain scenarios. However, simply adding more bearings without considering factors such as proper lubrication, alignment, and maintenance may not always lead to a significant reduction in friction. It's important to ensure that the bearings are correctly installed and maintained to optimize their performance.