It is estimated that bearing faults account for around half of all failures in electric machines. The consequences of failure can result in unplanned downtime, machine breakdowns, equipment damage, and financial losses. To prevent this and ensure consistent performance, effective bearing maintenance is essential. But, when a single machine can contain hundreds of bearings, how […]
Energy-efficient bearing design from SMB
It is estimated that a 10% reduction of friction in all large bearings in use would provide an energy-saving equal to the output of 18 large power stations. Cutting friction in bearings of any size is a key method to improve energy efficiency. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at miniature bearings supplier SMB Bearings explores […]
Navigating the global bearing shortage
In March 2021, a huge container ship wedged across the Suez Canal caused severe disruption to global supply chains. According to one estimate, the blockage held up an estimated 9.6 billion of trade every day. For businesses that rely on global supply chains, a single event like this can wreak havoc. When multiple factors converge, […]
What makes a high-quality underwater bearing?
There is a common misconception that all corrosion-resistant bearings are suitable for underwater use, but this is not the case. Underwater robots, drones, propeller shafts, and submerged conveyors all require application-specific design considerations and specialist bearings. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at underwater bearing supplier SMB Bearings, investigates which bearing materials are suitable for underwater […]
How can blockchain transform the bearing supply chain?
In 2019, NSK reported the seizure of counterfeit NSK packaging and labels in Hebei Province, China. During the seizure, more than 23,000 fake boxes and cartons were discovered in Linxi County, Xintai City. With bearing counterfeiting seemingly on the rise, how can we combat the risks of this damaging practice? Here Chris Johnson, managing director […]
Are plastic bearings fit for high load applications?
Steel has long reigned supreme in the bearing world, but thanks to advances in material science, plastic bearings have evolved well beyond the standard injection-molded nylon bearings of times gone by. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), along with high-performance polymers, offer wider possibilities than ever before. But are they suitable for […]
Resolving the global semiconductor shortage
According to Deloitte, we can expect the global shortage of semiconductor chips to continue well into 2022 as supply catches up with rising demand. Manufacturing these highly sought-after chips requires very precise manufacturing conditions where noise, vibration, and dust are kept to a minimum. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearings supplier SMB Bearings, […]
Ceramic bearings fit for the world’s toughest rowing race
Ceramic Bearing specialist SMB Bearings is sponsoring rowing team, Five in a Row, as they take on this year’s Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The challenge sees over 30 teams of rowers travel west from La Gomera in the Canary Islands, to English Harbour in Antigua & Barbuda. Departing in December 2021, the team will row […]
Keeping vibration analysis happy
Implementing condition monitoring can reduce the frequency and cost of equipment maintenance. Specifically, vibration analysis can provide valuable insight into machine conditions, flagging up problems before extensive damage occurs. Chris Johnson, managing director of ball bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains the steps machine builders should take to reduce the likelihood of bearings being the root […]
The top five challenges of relubricating bearings
A car owner’s worst nightmare is accidentally filling their tank with diesel when their car runs on petrol. A fuel mix-up can be very damaging and costly, not to mention embarrassing. The same can be applied to being selective when designing machinery, particularly when choosing your bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing relubrication […]
Aerospace bearings: where did it all begin?
According to Report Linker, the aerospace market is expected to grow from USD 9.6 billion in 2021 to USD 17.7 billion by 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. From personal flying vehicles to greener aerospace, it’s clear the aerospace sector is developing fast — but where did it all begin? Here, […]
How can IoT optimise the bearing supply chain?
In 2020, stock management issues were estimated to cost UK manufacturers 66 billion GBP because of disruption caused by the pandemic. Consequently, the quest to improve efficiency, cut waste, and enhance supply chain operations is one that suppliers know all too well. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at miniature bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains how […]
Precision agriculture: the hype around drone technology
Not even the agriculture sector can escape the hype of drone technology. The European drones outlook study reports 150,000 agricultural drones will be used across European farms by 2035, undertaking tasks such as soil and field analysis, crop monitoring, and spraying. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at EZO bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains the value […]
Radial and thrust forces in bearings
Where accuracy is required, it is important for engineers to consider the forces acting on a bearing. Because a bearing typically supports the free motion of a shaft about an axis of rotation, two forces normally act on the bearing: a radial load and a thrust load. But, what is the impact of these forces? […]
Radial and thrust forces in bearings
Where accuracy is required, it is important for engineers to consider the forces acting on a bearing. Because a bearing typically supports the free motion of a shaft about an axis of rotation, two forces normally act on the bearing: a radial load and a thrust load. But, what is the impact of these forces? […]
Ceramic bearings for medical environments
Back in 2000, scientists discovered zircon in rocks that showed life might have started 500 million years earlier than previously thought. This incredible compound has made a huge impact, as has its oxide, zirconia (ZrO2), used to make full ceramic bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explores if the […]
The buzz around drones in the oil industry
A bee can travel over five miles and then remember its way home, despite possessing a brain the size of a pinhead. Scientists have been putting them in virtual reality simulators to help improve unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone technology. While the honey bee currently has the edge, drone technology is catching up. Here, […]
How can bearings contribute to a greener aerospace sector?
In September 2020, Airbus revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft which could enter service by 2035. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings explains how this grand reveal could spark new life in the bearing supply chain. All three of Airbus’s concepts rely on hydrogen as the primary power course […]
Exploring advanced manufacturing processes and bearing design
3D printing technologies have evolved significantly over recent years, with much of the research effort placed in the materials science field. This has enabled the development of a whole range of high-performance polymers with mechanical characteristics similar to those of metal — so what does this mean for bearing design? Here Chris Johnson, managing director […]
SMB Bearings publishes steel bearings guide
To counteract confusion over the many steel bearing variations available, specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings has published a new materials guide to provide a helpful resource. The guide, Steel bearings: an essential guide to this essential workhorse, also provides practical application advice when choosing a steel bearing, which can be downloaded for free on the […]
Ten tips for proper bearing maintenance
What do clocks, skateboards, and industrial machinery have in common? They all rely on bearings to maintain their smooth rotational movements. However, to achieve reliability, they must be maintained and handled correctly. This will ensure a long bearing service life, preventing many common issues that can result in bearing failure and costly downtime. Here Chris […]
Are radial play and tolerance one and the same?
There is some confusion surrounding the relationship between the precision of a bearing, its manufacturing tolerances, and the level of internal clearance or ‘play’ between the raceways and balls. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of small and miniature bearings expert SMB Bearings, sheds light on why this myth persists and what engineers should look out […]
Navigating the bearing selection process
There are a huge number of variables an engineer needs to weigh up when selecting the right types of bearings for a project. There is no doubt things can get confusing, particularly if your project is non-standard. Here, Chris Johnson managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains one of six important bearing selection […]
Ceramic bearings for ocean power applications
Estimates show that wave power could supply 10% of the global demand for energy by the year 2050. If true, this would be a significant boost to a greener future, but currently, this renewable energy source is still in development. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of ceramic bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explains how bearings will […]
Keeping the food production wheels turning
With 13% of bearing failure attributed to lubrication factors, bearing lubrication is a fast-evolving area of research, supported by academics and industry alike. Here, Chris Johnson managing director of EZO bearings supplier SMB Bearings, explains how new innovations in polymer-based lubrication could increase lubrication life while reducing maintenance needs and contamination risks for food processing […]