Articulation joints are high-precision components of various industrial systems. They are employed in several applications, including in robotic arms, automobile steering linkages, textile equipment, and more. Within these joints are various parts, including rod ends and spherical bushings; these parts are capable of accommodating all kinds of misalignment like when rotary motion requires changes in the rotation axis. Available in metric and inch measurements, rod ends and spherical bushings are used in joint systems all over the world. Particularly, rod ends are considered either male or female. As such, male rod ends possess external threads and female rod ends possess internal threads to accommodate various mounting approaches.
There is a wide variety of rod ends and spherical bushings available on the market, including the BEM series which are male-threaded rod ends with rolling elements that allow them to carry heavy loads at moderate to rapid speeds. This model is suited for shock loads. Another rod end type includes the BRM series which are also male-threaded, and these function similarly to the BEM series with the exception that the BRM series has self-aligning ball bearings. Moreover, another type is the BEF series which consists of rod ends designed to serve as simple, inexpensive alternatives to conventional housing installations. They offer easy mounting and position adjustment, as well as consist of spherical bearings which are inserted into male or female rod connectors. Additionally, the BRF series features female-thread rod ends which are rugged, reliable, lightweight, compact, and quite cost-effective, making them easy to use in linkages, control rods, and several other systems. BRF series rod ends can be used alongside spherical bushings.
Some spherical bushing types include COM/COMH commercial series spherical bushings which are able to accommodate both radial and bidirectional loads. They are either self-lubricating or feature metal to metal inserts for resistance against heavy wear. FKS/FKST heavy-duty precision series spherical bushings, which are often used in construction and material handling sectors, are heat treated for protection from excessive wear. Another spherical bushing type includes GEZ ES plain spherical bushings; these can handle both biaxial and radial loads at the same time and are typically used in systems featuring high loads or high misalignment. GE metric spherical bushings are often employed when moving heavy loads, shock loads, and heavy static loads. These bushings are coated in phosphate, and the outer ring is split in order to accommodate an inside ring.
In order to ensure the best system reliability and performance, it is crucial to select the correct rod and/or spherical bushing for your application. These durable mechanisms can tolerate extreme environments and are found in automotive, mining and construction, energy generation, material handling, and marine applications. Those in the market for rod ends, spherical bushings, and aircraft bearings should look no further than Aerospace Aviation 360, a leading online distributor of aircraft parts. As an AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015, and FAA AC 00-56B accredited parts distributor, you can trust us to supply our customers with only the highest quality components. Many of the products we offer are subject to rigorous quality assurance measures, and we only source from trusted manufacturers. Once you place an order with Aerospace Aviation 360, our dedicated team works diligently to get your order shipped and delivered to you as quickly as possible. Browse our more than two billion parts that are available for your purchase and send us an email or phone call if you have any questions. Take your time to fill out an RFQ form and one of our representatives will get you a quote for your comparisons in 15 minutes or less, 24/7x365.