VEX Bearings

1
VEX Bearings

• Square Axles Round Holes

bearing block
axle
2
Square Axles Spin Inside Circular Holes
bearing flat
axle
Bearings have circular holes so axles can spin.
3
A square axle will spin inside a round hole.
A square axle will not spin inside a square hole.
4
Square Axles Stick in Square Holes
medium wheel
lock-bars
axle
clutch
Square axles dont spin in square holes!
5
A square axle and a square hole stick together.
6
Attach bearings anywhere an axle needs to spin.
square hole
Axles must be supported by two bearings.
round hole
round hole
7
Use Rivets to Attach Bearings

1. Put the two pieces of the rivet together
2. Insert bearing rivets into holes from the metal
   side, not the rivet side (pictured above)
3. Push the rivet until the back of the rivet
   expands to hold the bearing in place

8
Your Turn

• What kind of hole would you use so an axle could
  spin in the hole?
• What kind of hole would you use to attach a gear
  to an axle so the gear would spin with the axle?

?
9
Your Turn

• What kind of hole would use so an axle could spin
  in the hole?
• What kind of hole would you use to attach a gear
  to an axle so the gear would spin with the axle?

Bearing flats and pillow blocks have round holes
so axles can turn in the holes.
Gears and lock bars have square holes so they can
turn with the axle.
10
Resources

• Inventors Guide 32 - 33