In the realm of mechanical systems, bearings play a pivotal role in ensuring smooth motion and longevity of components. Among the various bearing types, cam followers and roller followers are often confused due to their similar appearances and rolling-element design. However, each serves distinct applications and has unique design characteristics. In this article, we’ll delve into:
What a cam follower is and its primary uses
The key differences between cam followers and roller bearings
How to choose between cam followers and roller followers for your application
1. What Is a Cam Follower?
A cam follower is a specialized type of roller bearing designed to follow the profile of a cam. Unlike standard bearings, cam followers feature a stud or yoke-style housing that allows them to be directly mounted to a machine frame or linkage. The rolling element is typically a cylindrical roller or crowned roller, which rides on the cam surface.
1.1 Primary Uses of Cam Followers
Cam Mechanisms: As the name suggests, cam followers trace the contour of rotating or translating cams in machinery such as printing presses, textile machines, and packaging equipment.
Linear Motion Systems: They serve as linear guides in conveyor systems, automated assembly lines, and material handling equipment.
Indexing Mechanisms: In rotary indexing tables, cam followers ensure precise positioning by engaging with cam tracks.
Automation & Robotics: Used in pick-and-place robots and automated inspection systems to convert rotary motion into linear or oscillating motion.
Key Benefit: Cam followers excel in converting rotary motion into controlled linear or oscillatory motion with minimal friction and high repeatability.
2. What Is the Difference Between a Cam Follower and a Roller Bearing?
While both cam followers and roller bearings utilize rolling elements to reduce friction, they differ in housing design, mounting methods, load capacities, and intended applications.
| Feature | Cam Follower | Roller Bearing |
| Housing Style | Stud or yoke housing with external mounting | Usually inner/outer ring without stud |
| Mounting Method | Directly bolted via stud or through-hole yoke | Press-fit or housed in pillow blocks |
| Rolling Element | Cylindrical or crowned rollers | Cylindrical, tapered, or spherical rollers |
| Load Direction | Primarily radial; some can handle axial loads | Radial, axial, or combination (depending on type) |
| Cam Compatibility | Designed to run on cam tracks or profiles | Not intended for cam profile tracking |
| Sealing & Lubrication | Often equipped with seals and lubrication ports | Varies; some sealed, some open designs |
| Typical Applications | Cam mechanisms, indexing, linear guides | Shafts, gearboxes, heavy machinery |
2.1 Housing and Mounting
Cam Followers: Feature an integrated stud (threaded shaft) or a yoke with through-holes. This allows for easy attachment to machinery without additional housing components.
Roller Bearings: Require separate housing units (e.g., pillow blocks, flanged housings) or press-fit installation onto shafts.
2.2 Load Capacities
Cam Followers: Engineered for high radial loads due to direct cam contact. Some designs incorporate a flange to accommodate moderate axial loads.
Roller Bearings: Available in many configurations (cylindrical, tapered, spherical) to handle a combination of radial and axial loads.
2.3 Motion Profiles
Cam Followers: Specifically contoured to follow irregular or complex cam tracks, providing smooth transition and minimal slip.
Roller Bearings: Designed for uniform rotational support; not optimized for cam profile tracking.
3. How to Choose Between Cam Followers and Roller Followers
Selecting the appropriate bearing type is crucial for system performance, longevity, and maintenance. Consider the following factors:
3.1 Application Requirements
Cam Track Engagement: If your mechanism involves tracing a cam profile—whether rotary or linear—a cam follower is the clear choice.
Rotational Support: For shafts requiring low-friction rotation under radial and/or axial loads, roller bearings are more suitable.
3.2 Load Conditions
Radial Load: Both cam followers and cylindrical roller bearings handle high radial loads. However, cam followers are optimized for point contact along the cam surface.
Axial Load: Tapered roller bearings excel at combined radial and axial loads. Some flanged cam followers can handle limited thrust but are not a replacement for true thrust or tapered bearings.
3.3 Speed and Precision
High-Speed Rotation: Roller bearings, especially precision ground cylindrical or tapered types, are better suited for high RPM applications.
Indexing & Positioning: Cam followers provide precise positional control when tracing cam profiles, making them ideal for indexing tables and intermittent motion.
3.4 Environmental Factors
Contamination & Debris: Cam followers often come with integrated seals and lubrication fittings to withstand dust, dirt, and moisture in harsh environments.
Temperature Extremes: Both types can be specified with special materials and lubricants for high or low temperature applications. Consult BYWB Bearing’s engineering team for custom solutions.
3.5 Maintenance & Lubrication
Relubrication Needs: Many cam followers include grease fittings (zerk fittings) for periodic lubrication, extending service life in high-load, low-speed applications.
Sealed vs. Open: Roller bearings are available in sealed (pre-lubricated) or open versions; sealed bearings reduce maintenance but may have speed limitations.
4. BYWB Bearing’s Cam Followers and Roller Followers Portfolio
At BYWB Bearing, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of high-quality cam followers and roller bearings, tailored to diverse industrial needs:
4.1 Standard Cam Followers
Stud-Type Cam Followers: Available in metric and imperial threads, with cylindrical or crowned rollers.
Yoke-Type Cam Followers: Dual roller arrangement for increased load capacity; ideal for heavy-duty applications.
Sealed & Open Designs: Choose between maintenance-free sealed units or greasable versions for extended life.
4.2 Specialized Cam Followers
High-Temperature Series: Engineered for up to 200 °C continuous operation.
Corrosion-Resistant Models: Stainless steel construction with EPDM seals for food, pharmaceutical, and outdoor equipment.
Precision-Grade Units: Ground rollers and tight tolerances for ultra-smooth indexing and high-speed cam tracking.
4.3 Roller Bearings
Cylindrical Roller Bearings: High radial load capacity; available in single- and multi-row configurations.
Tapered Roller Bearings: Ideal for combined radial and axial loads; common in automotive and gearboxes.
Spherical Roller Bearings: Self-aligning capability for misaligned shafts and heavy-duty machinery.
Needle Roller Bearings: Compact cross-section for applications with limited radial space.
5. Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
Proper installation and maintenance extend the service life of both cam followers and roller bearings:
Mounting Surface Preparation: Ensure the mounting surface is clean, flat, and free of burrs.
Torque Specifications: Adhere to manufacturer’s recommended torque when tightening stud or housing bolts.
Lubrication Schedule: Establish a regular greasing interval based on operating conditions—high load/low speed requires more frequent lubrication.
Seal Inspection: Periodically inspect seals for wear or damage; replace if necessary to prevent contamination.
Alignment Checks: Verify that cam followers run true along the cam track to avoid edge loading and premature wear.
6. Metric Series Cam followers bearing size chart
| Product | Bearing Type | Tire Outer Dia. (Dt) (mm) | Stud Dia. (ds) (mm) | Tire Width (C) (mm) | Total Length (B) (mm) | Dynamic Load Rating (Cr) (N) | Static Load Rating (Cor) (N) |
| KR16 | Cage guided rollers | 16.00 | 6.00 | 11.00 | 28.00 | 3,150 | 3,300 |
| KR19 | Cage guided rollers | 19.00 | 8.00 | 11.00 | 32.00 | 3,500 | 3,900 |
| KR22 | Cage guided rollers | 22.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 36.00 | 4,450 | 5,200 |
| KR26 | Cage guided rollers | 26.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 36.00 | 5,100 | 6,200 |
| KR30 | Cage guided rollers | 30.00 | 12.00 | 14.00 | 40.00 | 6,800 | 8,400 |
| KR32 | Cage guided rollers | 32.00 | 12.00 | 14.00 | 40.00 | 7,100 | 9,000 |
| KR35 | Cage guided rollers | 35.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 52.00 | 9,700 | 14,100 |
| KR40 | Cage guided rollers | 40.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 58.00 | 10,900 | 15,500 |
| KR47 | Cage guided rollers | 47.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 15,500 | 25,500 |
| KR52 | Cage guided rollers | 52.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 16,800 | 28,500 |
| KR62 | Cage guided rollers | 62.00 | 24.00 | 29.00 | 80.00 | 26,500 | 47,500 |
| KR72 | Cage guided rollers | 72.00 | 24.00 | 29.00 | 80.00 | 28,000 | 53,000 |
| KR80 | Cage guided rollers | 80.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 39,500 | 77,000 |
| KR85 | Cage guided rollers | 85.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 40,500 | 80,000 |
| KR90 | Cage guided rollers | 90.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 41,500 | 83,000 |
| KRV16 | Full Complement | 16.00 | 6.00 | 11.00 | 28.00 | 4,850 | 6,500 |
| KRV19 | Full Complement | 19.00 | 8.00 | 11.00 | 32.00 | 5,500 | 7,900 |
| KRV22 | Full Complement | 22.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 36.00 | 6,300 | 9,100 |
| KRV26 | Full Complement | 26.00 | 10.00 | 12.00 | 36.00 | 7,300 | 11,300 |
| KRV30 | Full Complement | 30.00 | 12.00 | 14.00 | 40.00 | 9,500 | 14,600 |
| KRV32 | Full Complement | 32.00 | 12.00 | 14.00 | 40.00 | 10,000 | 15,800 |
| KRV35 | Full Complement | 35.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 52.00 | 12,800 | 23,000 |
| KRV40 | Full Complement | 40.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 58.00 | 14,800 | 26,500 |
| KRV47 | Full Complement | 47.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 20,600 | 42,000 |
| KRV52 | Full Complement | 52.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 22,500 | 46,000 |
| KRV62 | Full Complement | 62.00 | 24.00 | 29.00 | 80.00 | 34,000 | 76,000 |
| KRV72 | Full Complement | 72.00 | 24.00 | 29.00 | 80.00 | 37,000 | 85,000 |
| KRV80 | Full Complement | 80.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 49,500 | 120,000 |
| KRV90 | Full Complement | 90.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 53,000 | 130,000 |
| NUKR35 | Two row, full complement | 35.00 | 16.00 | 18.00 | 52.00 | 15,000 | 16,800 |
| NUKR40 | Two row, full complement | 40.00 | 18.00 | 20.00 | 58.00 | 18,400 | 22,600 |
| NUKR47 | Two row, full complement | 47.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 28,000 | 35,000 |
| NUKR52 | Two row, full complement | 52.00 | 20.00 | 24.00 | 66.00 | 29,000 | 37,500 |
| NUKR62 | Two row, full complement | 62.00 | 24.00 | 28.00 | 80.00 | 40,000 | 50,000 |
| NUKR72 | Two row, full complement | 72.00 | 24.00 | 28.00 | 80.00 | 44,500 | 50,000 |
| NUKR80 | Two row, full complement | 80.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 69,000 | 98,000 |
| NUKR90 | Two row, full complement | 90.00 | 30.00 | 35.00 | 100.00 | 79,000 | 117,000 |
7. Conclusion
Choosing between cam followers and roller bearings hinges on understanding your application’s motion profile, load requirements, environmental conditions, and maintenance capabilities. Cam followers excel at tracing cam profiles and indexing, offering robust housings and easy mounting. Roller bearings provide versatile rotational support for a wide range of radial and axial load scenarios.
At BYWB Bearing, our extensive product line and engineering expertise ensure you get the optimal bearing solution—whether you need precision cam followers for automated machinery or heavy-duty roller bearings for industrial shafts.
