AST goes beyond supplying standard bearings, we also provide precision mechanical sub-assemblies. We specialize in rotary assemblies that incorporate precision bearings and components manufactured to the most exacting specifications. AST can conduct design reviews and provide assemblies manufactured to your specifications or ours. Our highly skilled technicians know the correct way to handle and install […]

AST goes beyond supplying standard bearings, we also provide precision mechanical sub-assemblies. We specialize in rotary assemblies that incorporate precision bearings and components manufactured to the most exacting specifications. AST can conduct design reviews and provide assemblies manufactured to your specifications or ours. Our highly skilled technicians know the correct way to handle and install […]

A key element of machinery designed for heavy-duty applications, the tapered roller bearing consists of a cone (inner ring), a cup (outer ring), rollers, and a cage. The rollers are tapered in the shape of truncated cones, and both the inner and outer ring raceways are tapered to accommodate the shape of the rollers. The […]

When a manufacturer of spinning equipment used in textile production came to AST Bearings with a recurring equipment disruption issue, AST found a solution that protected the bearings from contamination. A long-time customer of AST Bearings that manufactures roller assemblies for use in machines that spin yarn came to AST Bearings with a problem. The […]

AST’s customized approach to problem solving helped a manufacturer of weather-beaten products find bearing relief. A middle market OEM that produces outdoor electrical cabinets had a problem: With many of their cabinets located near coastal areas, weather exposure, including salt from ocean spray, was compromising the integrity of its products, which incorporated bearings on the […]

The use of robotics and automation continues to grow more prevalent across industries, particularly in manufacturing, as companies are realizing the full potential of its ability to reduce costs, boost production and deliver greater efficiency and competitiveness. Typical industrial robotic applications include welding, painting, assembly, product inspection and testing. As the technology has progressed, automation […]

Bearings are often produced with a lubricant that is generic and doesn’t cater to unique applications when ordered directly from a factory. Bearing relubrication offers multiple benefits in the interest of time, availability, and the assurance of suitable product. In some cases, lubricants break down before the bearings themselves, which is why re-lubrication is a […]

Bearings are often produced with a lubricant that is generic and doesn’t cater to unique applications when ordered directly from a factory. Bearing relubrication offers multiple benefits in the interest of time, availability, and the assurance of suitable product. In some cases, lubricants break down before the bearings themselves, which is why re-lubrication is a […]

Nearly a decade ago, a manufacturer of optical inspection equipment came to us with a dilemma: Its equipment was having problems, well, focusing. Despite incorporating state-of-the-art technology into the product’s overall design, the focusing mechanism was underperforming. It wasn’t a reflection of the lens itself, whose materials and workmanship were industry bests. Rather, as the […]

A middle market OEM that produces outdoor electrical cabinets had a problem: With many of their cabinets located near coastal areas, weather exposure, including salt from ocean spray, was compromising the integrity of its products, which incorporated bearings on the cabinet hinges. Specifically, condensation had rusted the cabinet’s ball bearings and steel cage. Historically, they […]

By Christine Berlly When a bearing fails prematurely, an experienced bearing engineer can often times reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the problem. Using the resources of AST’s bearing engineering laboratory, metrology lab and tool room AST engineers welcome the opportunity to analyze bearings for  customers, and in most cases have the ability […]

AST Bearings has moved its East Coast headquarters to a new 35,000 square foot facility in Parsippany, New Jersey. Only a few miles from its previous location, AST expects the new location to improve its engineering, laboratory, packaging and warehouse capabilities. The move proved to be an opportunity to enhance practically every facet of AST’s […]

By Christine Berlly The most widely used roller bearing type in the world due to their versatility and overall performance, single row deep groove ball bearings are characterized by having deep raceway grooves. The inner and outer rings have circular arcs of slightly larger radius than that of the balls. and they have non-separable rings. […]

By Christine Berlly Bearings can come under attack from exposure to water and moisture, marine climates, and from a variety of chemicals (both gas and liquid). In today’s blog, we’ll look choosing seals and coatings in corrosive environments. Seals Certain types of bearings are available with integral seals. The seals protect the critical interior surfaces […]

By Christine Berlly If you’re in the manufacturing world, then you are undoubtedly aware of the ongoing tariff situation developing over the past year. The US government has announced a 25% tariff on nearly 6,000 product categories, which includes multiple bearing and power transmission products. Some of what we currently supply to you may be […]

This is Part 2 of a two-part article on radial play within ball bearings. General Design Considerations: The selection of the radial play value in a specific bearing application is an important design consideration. As described previously, radial play directly affects the contact angle and axial, or end, play of the bearing. In addition, in […]

At first glance, ball bearings are relatively simple mechanisms. However, an analysis of their internal geometries reveals that they are quite complex. For example, the ball to raceway conformity, the radial play, and the number of balls all impact the ability a ball bearing to support loads under a variety of conditions. Typically, ball and […]

By John Wallace, Vice President of Operations, AST Bearings Edited by Mike Santora Handheld power tools are commonplace in many industries from automotive to aerospace. Ball bearings play a critical role in the performance and reliability of these tools and are responsible for handling combined loading conditions (radial and axial), high speed operation, low friction,…

In the case of ball bearings, preload is often a misunderstood concept and overlooked by designers and bearing users alike. One of the final steps in the bearing manufacturing process is the assembly of the individual bearing components: the outer ring, inner ring, balls and retainer (or ball separator). When the bearings are assembled, it […]

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Spherical plain bearings are manufactured in a wide variety of materials and are designed to offer bearing solutions in almost any operating environment. AST Bearings offers a complete line of spherical bearings available in inch and metric. These spherical plain bearings are suitable for heavy-duty, off-highway vehicles, agricultural equipment, construction and mining and logging equipment, […]

The post Complete line of spherical plain bearings appeared first on Bearing Tips.

Drift can commonly occur in pressure transmitters operating in a high shock and vibration environment. TE Connectivity hammer union pressure transmitters address this issue by using a thick…

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Overview: What is preload? AST Bearings LLC is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company and supplier of precision bearings and bearing related products. John Wallace, Vice President of Operations for AST explains that in the case of ball bearings, preload is often a misunderstood concept and overlooked by both designers and bearing users alike. One of […]

The post Why is preload necessary in some bearing applications? appeared first on Bearing Tips.

High pressure sensing applications require a variety of design considerations to address the technical challenges that pressure of 500 psi and more can impose on the sensor. One of the main differentiating choices that a supplier has to consider is the technology used to detect pressure variations. However, this is just the start. By attending…