Frequently Asked Questions

Pot Bearings are multi-rotational bearings that permit rotation by the use of a confined elastomer – confined within a “pot”. Please see our Products page for “Pot Bearings”.

Disc Bearings are multi-rotational bearings that permit rotation by the compression of a urethane disc. Please see our Products page for “Disc Bearings”.

Laminated Elastomeric Bearings are bearings that permit rotation and translation though the compression and shear of elastomeric layers “sandwiched” between layers of thin steel plates. Please see our Products page for “Elastomeric Bearings”.

Spherical Bearings are multi-rotational bearings that permit rotation by the movement of concave stainless steel surface over a matching convex surface that is covered with woven PTFE fabric. Please see our Products page for “TeXLon Spherical Bearings”.

Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings are bearings that allow rotation and translation by the movement of self-lubricated bronze elements over steel sliding surfaces – both flat and radial. Please see our Products page for “Cosmec XL Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings”

The Laminated Elastomeric Bearing is the most economical to purchase, but is not well suited for all applications. Please see our Products page for “Elastomeric Bearings”.

No. All bearing types produced by Cosmec can be (and have been) used in many other varied applications, such as Hydro-Electric, Buildings, Piping, Vessels, and many others. Please call or email Cosmec’s Engineering Staff with your application.

Pot Bearing Advantages:

• Pot Bearings are multi-rotational
• Pot Bearings have negligible vertical deflection under load.
• Pot Bearings have uniform vertical deflection under load.
• Pot Bearings have high vertical and horizontal load capacity.
• Pot Bearings cause relatively low stress on the bearing seats.

 
Pot Bearing Disadvantages:

• Pot Bearings require periodic maintenance.
• While pot bearings are relatively low in height, other bearing types – such as Disc Bearings – are usually lower in overall height.

Disc Bearing Advantages:

• Disc Bearings are multi-rotational.
• Disc Bearings have relatively high vertical load capacity and medium-high to medium horizontal load capacity.
• Disc Bearings require less maintenance than Pot Bearings.
• Disc Bearings are usually low in overall height.

 
Disc Bearing Disadvantages:

• Disc Bearings still require some periodic maintenance.
• Disc Bearings exhibit more vertical deflection than Pot Bearings.
• Disc Bearings exhibit varying degrees of vertical deflection from bearing to bearing.

Laminated Elastomeric Bearing Advantages:

• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings are the lowest initial cost bearing type.
• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings are very low maintenance if installed properly.
• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings may be combined with PTFE/Stainless Steel sliding surface components to accommodate larger movements.
• Many different configurations of laminated Elastomeric Bearings are possible.

 
Laminated Elastomeric Bearing Disadvantages:

• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings are not well suited for multi-rotation.
• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings can “walk” out of place with time if not positively held in place.
• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings exhibit more vertical deflection than Pot Bearings.
• Laminated Elastomeric Bearings exhibit varying degrees of vertical deflection from bearing to bearing.

Spherical Bearing Advantages:

• Spherical Bearings are multi-rotational.
• Spherical Bearings can accommodate higher rotations then most other multi-rotational bearings.
• Spherical Bearings have relatively high vertical load capacity and medium-high to medium horizontal load capacity.
• Spherical Bearings are usually low in overall height.
• Spherical Bearings have negligible vertical deflection under load.
• Spherical Bearings have uniform vertical deflection under load.

 
Spherical Bearing Disadvantages:

• Spherical Bearings require careful attention when installing – especially to insure no disassembly.
• Spherical Bearings require periodic maintenance.

Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearing Advantages:

• Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings can be made multi-rotational.
• Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings have negligible vertical deflection under load.
• Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings have uniform vertical deflection under load.

 
Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearing Disadvantages:

• Self-Lubricating Bronze Bearings require periodic maintenance.
• All Sliding surfaces must be kept free of debris.

Cosmec Engineering Staff can design Pot Bearings, Disc Bearings, Spherical Bearings, Self-Lubrication Bronze Bearings and some other types of bearings. In addition, the staff can design some special purpose devices as required. Please contact our Engineering Staff with your Design requirements.

Please contact your Salesperson for the status of your order. If you are unsure of who your Salesperson is or how to contact him/her, please see “Sales by State” under the Contacts section of our website.

The lead-time varies depending on the type and quantity of bearings required. Bearings requiring designing as well as the production of shop drawings typically require between 6 and 10 weeks for design and drafting. Production and delivery of these bearings is typically 12 to 14 weeks after the receipt of approved design calculations and approved shop drawings. Bearings that do not require designing can typically take much less time in both producing shop drawings and in production. Job-specific lead-times, however, can be accommodated. Please contact your Salesperson to discuss your specific lead-time requirements.