Roller bearings are a type of bearing that use rolling elements to support loads and reduce friction. As opposed to ball bearings, roller bearings have barrel-shaped rolling elements instead of spherical balls. They are capable of supporting heavier loads than similarly sized ball bearings but cannot handle as high of speeds as ball bearings.
Roller bearings contain an inner and outer ring that house the rollers and bearing cage. Also known as a retainer or separator, the cage maintains spacing between rollers and holds the bearing together. There is a wide range of roller bearings, each with different designs used in varying applications. Cylindrical, spherical, tapered, and needle are the four primary types of roller bearings.
