An angular contact ball bearing is a type of bearing that is designed to handle both radial and axial (thrust) loads simultaneously. It consists of inner and outer rings with a cage and a set of balls arranged in a contact angle, typically 15 to 40 degrees. This contact angle allows the bearing to support higher axial loads and provide better rigidity compared to radial-only bearings. Angular contact ball bearings are commonly used in applications where there are combined radial and axial loads, such as in machine tools, automotive applications, and high-speed equipment.