A pillow block, also known as a plummer block or housed bearing unit, is a pedestal used to provide support for a rotating shaft with the help of compatible bearings & various accessories. Housing material for a pillow block is typically made of cast iron or cast steel.. Selection. A pillow block usually refers to a housing with an included anti-friction bearing.

Pillow block bearings, sometimes referred to as plummer block bearings, are mounted bearings that are used to provide load support for a rotating shaft. Their mounting surface is on a plane parallel and offset to the axis of the shaft.  Pillow block bearings vary by the type of rolling element which might include ball bearings, roller bearings (which consist of cylinders between in the inner and outer rings of the bearing), tapered rollers, needle rollers; or metallic or synthetic bushing.