2007Gimbal forum
Bearing selection and quantity for constructing a 2-inch gimbal pan axis
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- A single bearing can minimize alignment complexity in gimbal pan axis design, while multiple bearings distribute loads more effectively during vehicle use but require higher machining accuracy and add rotational resistance.
- When manufacturing a gimbal with multiple pan bearings, the housing dimensions must accommodate all bearings without restricting the upper and lower movement limits of the gimbal.
- Matched bearing pairs from manufacturers may help prevent tolerance stack-up issues that could result from using individual bearings.
- Cross-roller bearings and self-aligning roller bearings are suitable options for gimbal construction and can simplify fabrication compared to standard paired bearings.
- Proper static balancing of the completed gimbal is essential and depends critically on accurate machining and bearing alignment.
Depends on
- The discussion does not specify which gimbal model or load requirements were being considered.
- No performance data or test results are provided to compare single versus multiple bearing configurations.
- Specific bearing part numbers or manufacturer specifications are referenced through external links that are not fully detailed in the thread.
- The advice given reflects general design principles rather than validated engineering calculations for gimbal applications.