Editing Rolling-element bearing (section)

==Configurations==
The configuration of the races determine the types of motions and loads that a bearing can best support. A given configuration can serve multiple of the following types of loading.

===Thrust loadings===
[[File:Thrust-cylindrical-roller-bearing din722 120-ex.png|thumb|100px|A thrust roller bearing]]
{{Main|Thrust bearing}}

Thrust bearings are used to support axial loads, such as vertical shafts. Common designs are [[Thrust ball bearing]]s, [[spherical roller thrust bearing]]s, tapered roller thrust bearings or cylindrical roller thrust bearings. Also non-rolling-element bearings such as hydrostatic or magnetic bearings see some use where particularly heavy loads or low friction is needed.

===Radial loadings===
Rolling-element bearings are often used for axles due to their low rolling friction. For light loads, such as bicycles, ball bearings are often used. For heavy loads and where the loads can greatly change during cornering, such as cars and trucks, tapered rolling bearings are used.

===Linear motion===
{{main|Linear-motion bearing}}
Linear motion roller-element bearings are typically designed for either shafts or flat surfaces. Flat surface bearings often consist of rollers and are mounted in a cage, which is then placed between the two flat surfaces; a common example is drawer-support hardware. Roller-element bearing for a shaft use bearing balls in a groove designed to recirculate them from one end to the other as the bearing moves; as such, they are called ''linear ball bearings''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/116/1070|title = McMaster-Carr}}</ref> or ''recirculating bearings''.