Ball Bearings
The importance of ball bearings in society's ever increasing dependency on mechanical operations
is usually overlooked until there is a problem. When the machines stop and money is lost, something as
small as a bearing can be the cause of numerous losses. Its hard to find a machine, meter, pump, motor etc.
that does not need ball bearings to operate properly. Basically any moving part that rotates in some fashion
will probably need ball bearings to run efficiently. Ball bearings have played an important part in
mechanics as far back as the Romans and the construction of their ships.
Depending on the type of application bearings can be made in various types and sizes. From semiconductor
production to high performance racing, ball bearings play a vital role. They can handle both radial and thrust
loads and are commonly found in applications where the load is relatively small. Ball bearings are typically made
with inner and outer races and a set of spherical balls that help transfer the load between the two rings. They
come in sizes from 10mm to a few meters in diameter.
The use of ball bearings as mechanical parts can increase the
productivity of the application they are being utilized in as well as reduce costs by extending the life of that
machine or part. Ball bearings can be made of several different materials increasing the amount of applications they
can be used in. Steel is the most common material because of its strength and durability.
Ceramic bearings made of
either silicon nitride or zirconium oxide offer a higher load capacity with less wear and tear, and greater
running speeds. Plastics are also becoming a popular material for ball bearing production. They are the material
of choice when there are lightly loaded low RPM applications requiring corrosion resistance, non-magnetic, non-metallic,
or lightweight bearings.
Ball bearings play an essential and vital role in mechanical operations. Just as our ancestors layed
down a row of logs to help roll a stone weighing many tons from point A to point B we rely heavily on the ability
of ball bearings to carry a heavy load and keep our mechanical parts moving. The ability of ball bearings to be
applicable in such uses as high speed, high temperature, corrosion resistant, non-magnetic, food grade and more
speaks to its versatility. There is not a piece of rotating equipment in use today that does not or would not benefit
from the use of ball bearings.
Ceramic Ball Bearings - Hybrid Ball Bearings
Ball Bearings - Hybrid Bearings - Ceramic Bearings
Ball Bearings - Bearing Works
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