If you are changing the bearings on a skateboard, you can do it in your garage with a pair of tweezers. For many applications though, the process of relubrication requires precision, expertise, and sophisticated technology. Here, Chris Johnson, … [Read more...] about When bearing relubrication is not a DIY job
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From farm to fork: The role of bearings in the food and beverage supply chain
From the London Beer Flood of 1814 to the Tapioca Tanker Disaster of 1972, there has been a host of high-profile food and beverage disasters at all stages of the food processing chain. While innovative new technologies have been vital in continuing … [Read more...] about From farm to fork: The role of bearings in the food and beverage supply chain
Condition monitoring methods for better bearing performance
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 … [Read more...] about Condition monitoring methods for better bearing performance
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 … [Read more...] about Energy-efficient bearing design from SMB
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 … [Read more...] about Navigating the global bearing shortage
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 … [Read more...] about What makes a high-quality underwater bearing?
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 … [Read more...] about How can blockchain transform the bearing supply chain?
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 … [Read more...] about Are plastic bearings fit for high load applications?
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 … [Read more...] about Resolving the global semiconductor shortage
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 … [Read more...] about Ceramic bearings fit for the world’s toughest rowing race