Universal ball bearing (also known as universal ball or cow-eye bearing) are a type of rolling bearing with a special structure. Their core feature is the ability to achieve flexible rotation in multiple directions through spherical rolling elements, enabling them to withstand radial, axial, and tilting loads simultaneously. This characteristic makes them widely used in scenarios requiring low friction, high flexibility, and multi-directional movement. Below is a detailed explanation of their main applications and typical use cases: 
The core advantage of universal ball bearing lies in enabling non-directional translation of objects, making them most commonly used in material handling, especially in scenarios requiring flexible direction adjustment:
- Conveying platforms and assembly lines: In workshops, conveying tables, assembly lines, or sorting lines, universal ball bearing are evenly installed under the tabletop. This allows heavy objects such as workpieces, cartons, and pallets placed on the tabletop to be easily pushed by hand and freely changed direction (e.g., turning, rotating, translating), reducing labor consumption during handling. Examples include PCB transfer tables in electronics factories and cargo sorting platforms in warehouses.
- Loading and unloading auxiliary equipment: Universal ball bearing installed on truck tailgates, container loading/unloading areas, or forklift auxiliary platforms reduces friction resistance during cargo loading and unloading, facilitating manual adjustment of cargo positions—particularly useful for short-distance movement of heavy or large items.
- Logistics and warehousing tools: For example, the bottom of mobile shelves, turnover carts, and material boxes use universal balls to contact the ground, enabling flexible movement and steering of shelves or boxes to adapt to complex spatial layouts in warehouses.
In automated equipment and precision machinery, universal ball bearing is used to achieve high-precision multi-directional movement:
- Automated assembly machinery: During component assembly, universal balls can act as support or guiding components for workpieces, allowing free positioning of workpieces on a plane. They coordinate with robotic arms or pneumatic devices to complete precise assembly (e.g., assembly of electronic components and automotive parts).
- Testing and measurement equipment: In precision testing platforms (such as coordinate measuring machines and optical inspection equipment), universal ball bearing supports workpieces, reducing friction interference during workpiece movement and ensuring measurement accuracy.
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment: In scenarios such as wafer transfer and lithography equipment, the low-friction of universal balls prevents scratches on wafer surfaces while enabling stable multi-directional movement.
In industrial machinery requiring load-bearing capacity and flexible movement, universal ball bearings simplify structures and reduce maintenance costs:
- Auxiliary components for heavy machine tools: On the worktables or guide rails of large machine tools, universal balls assist in moving and positioning workpieces, especially for adjusting irregularly shaped workpieces during processing.
- Mold and stamping equipment: During mold installation and stamping part transfer, universal balls serve as support points, facilitating translation and alignment of molds or workpieces and reducing the difficulty of manual operation.
- Metallurgical and papermaking equipment: In high-temperature or humid environments (e.g., conveying links in steel rolling production lines, guiding in paper machines), universal balls made of high-temperature-resistant or corrosion-resistant materials ensure stable multi-directional transmission.
Beyond industrial scenarios, universal ball bearingis widely used in civil and commercial equipment:
- Office and household equipment: For example, the base rollers of office chairs (some high-end chairs use universal ball structures for 360° flexible rotation) and furniture casters (facilitating translation adjustment of wardrobes and bookcases).
- Commercial display equipment: Universal balls installed at the bottom of display counters and shelves allow easy adjustment of display positions or directions, enhancing the flexibility of merchandise display.
- Medical equipment: In devices such as operating tables and medical carts, universal balls enable smooth movement and multi-angle adjustment of table surfaces or cart bodies, ensuring operational convenience and patient comfort.
Universal ball bearing can be optimized with materials (e.g., stainless steel, engineering plastics, ceramics) to adapt to special environmental needs:
- Clean environments: In food processing and pharmaceutical production workshops, stainless steel or food-grade plastic universal balls are used to meet hygiene standards and avoid contamination.
- Corrosive environments: In chemical and marine equipment, corrosion-resistant universal balls are used to resist acid-base or salt spray erosion.
- Low-noise requirements: By optimizing the fit precision between rolling elements and housings, universal balls can reduce noise during movement, making them suitable for laboratories, silent workshops, and other scenarios.
