Airframe Control Ball Bearings

What are Airframe Control Ball Bearings?

Constructed from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, airframe control bearings involve a series of precision ball bearings that are meticulously arranged in a cage or race. Not only do they help ensure smooth movement in sensitive components, but they also reduce friction between the bearing and surface. Unlike most other types of ball bearing, these are specifically engineered to withstand the sometimes unforgiving conditions of flight.

Types of Airframe Control Ball Bearings

There are 27 subcategories of airframe control bearings that are available in both standard and precision grades, depending on your needs. Here are a few of the most common kinds of ball bearings used in airframe control configurations.

Ball

Ball-type airframe control bearings (i.e., single row, double row ball bearings, etc.) have low friction and can handle high-speed applications. In many cases, they’re used in deep grooves, angular contacts, and self-aligning parts. They offer low friction and high-speed capabilities.

Roller

These provide an excellent load capacity for radial loads and are typically used in heavy-duty equipment. Common roller bearing types include cylindrical and tapered.

Swivel

Commonly used in flight control systems, spherical plain bearings are unique because they allow for angular misalignment, which is common in flight control systems.

Common Uses of Airframe Control Ball Bearings

Flight systems are sensitive and call for parts (including bearings) that can reliably perform under extreme conditions while meeting industry standards.

Flight Control Systems

Airframe control ball bearings are used in flight control systems like the aileron, rudder, rotor actuators, and much more. That’s why they must maintain their performance and reliability over the course of many uses.

Landing Gear

With the ability to withstand high loads during takeoffs and landings, heavy-duty airframe control ball bearings are absolutely crucial for landing gear mechanisms.

Engine Mounts

Specially designed bearings help to isolate vibrations within the engine while allowing thermal expansion to occur in the mounting systems, making them ideal for the aerospace industry.

Benefits of Airframe Control Ball Bearings

Airframe control bearings offer several advantages in aerospace applications:

• Reliable under dynamic loads and extreme conditions
• Precision movement for accurate control
• Resistant to high temperatures and pressures
• Corrosion resistance (often made from stainless steel or treated with corrosion-resistant coatings like cadmium or zinc nickel)
• Low maintenance requirements compared to other materials
• Long service life in demanding conditions

Choosing the Right Airframe Control Ball Bearings

Selecting the appropriate airframe control bearing involves considering several factors, including load range, placement of the bearing, industry requirements, and more:

• Radial and thrust load requirements
• Type and range of motion, including rotational, oscillatory, and combined
• Environmental conditions they’ll be operating in
• Space constraints (including thin section options)
• Lubrication requirements (including self-lubricating options with PTFE liners)
• Specific industry standards, regulations, and certifications (e.g., SAE-AS7949, Boeing specifications)

Have questions? Contact our customer service team today.

Certification and Standards

Much like any other aerospace part, airframe control bearings are subject to strict standards and certifications, including but not limited to:

• SAE-AS7949 for airframe control bearings
• Boeing specifications for supplier parts
• General aerospace industry standards for quality and performance

These requirements are in place to ensure bearings are reliable and meet all safety mandates.

Basic Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips

Airframe control ball bearings are specifically designed for low maintenance. However, with proper maintenance and upkeep, they can last much longer. Here are a few tips to help with overall maintenance and troubleshooting:

• Stick to lubrication schedules recommended by manufacturers
• Conduct regular inspections for any signs of wear or corrosion
• Ensure they’re properly aligned during installation and maintenance
• Keep a close eye on signs of unusual noise or vibration, which may indicate bearing issues
• Replace bearings as soon as they start wearing and at recommended intervals

Why Choose LILY Bearing for Airframe Control Ball Bearings

With more than 20 years of industry experience, the technical and customer service teams at LILY Bearing have a deep understanding of aerospace bearing technology. From extra light duty to extra wide to most configurations in between, we’re dedicated to providing you with bearings that are manufactured to strict tolerances and meet all applicable aerospace standards. 

We offer a comprehensive range of high-quality airframe control ball bearings to meet diverse aerospace configurations, including DSP, DPP, KP-A, KP-B, MKP, GDW, MDSP, KSP-A, MKSP-A, and B5500WZZ series.