Metal bushings are designed to maintain component alignment, reduce wear, and minimize friction between two surfaces sliding against one another. They can also be used as guides to maintain accuracy during precision metal drilling applications. Classified as a type of bearing, bushings differ from other bearings by their simplistic design and lack of rolling or ball elements. While bushings are single-part components, they can be constructed with multiple layers of conductive or insulating materials or lubricated depending on the needs of the application.