What is another name for ball bearings?

Ball bearings are commonly referred to as antifriction bearings due to their design and function, which significantly reduces friction between moving parts. They achieve this by using spheres (the balls) placed between two raceways. As the balls roll, they support the load while allowing for smooth rotational motion, reducing the resistance that would otherwise generate heat and wear. This characteristic is vital in many applications, from machinery to automotive systems, where efficiency and longevity of moving parts are crucial.

The term antifriction highlights the primary advantage of ball bearings, which is their ability to minimize friction compared to other types of bearings that rely on sliding contact or solid interfaces, which may not provide the same level of efficiency and can lead to more wear and tear over time.