Flange bearings come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate the wide range of applications and loads they are used for. The diameter of the mounted shaft determines the bore diameter of the appropriate flange bearing.

The radial loads and thrust loads put upon the bearing determines the capacity needed from a flange bearing. In some cases, a standard flange bearing will suffice whereas under larger loads a more heavy-duty bearing may be required.Lastly, the mounting surface determines the dimensions and type of housing that may be needed, whether it’s a 2-bolt or 4-bolt.

A flange bearing is a type of mounted bearing in which the mounted shaft runs perpendicular to the mounting surface and the center line of the mounting holes. This is in contrast to a pillow block bearing, in which the mounted shaft runs parallel to the mounting surface.

Flange bearings consist of a flanged housing and an insert bearing. The housing is typically made from cast iron or cast steel while the bearing can be made from a wide variety of materials.