Rod ends consist of an eye-shaped head with integral shank forming a housing and a standard spherical plain bearing, or a spherical plain bearing inner ring, or a spherical plain bearing inner ring and a sliding layer between the bore of the head and the inner ring. As a rule, rod ends are available with […]

Bearings that are mounted within a flanged housing are used when the bearing mounting surface is perpendicular to a shaft axis. They are commonly available in two, three, or four-hole configurations. Two-bolt flanged ball bearing units have a diamond or winged-shape with 2 holes for mounting. As with our 3-bolt Flanged Bearing Units, 4-bolt Flanged […]

Similar to the ER Series Insert Bearings, the Collar Clamp Ball Bearings are used to easily install a on a shaft with a simple set screw. Essentially, they are “miniature insert bearings” with bores starting at 3/16″ and going up to 1/2-in. AST offers them with and without snap rings to aid in mounting. The […]

The demand for a quiet electric motor – meaning, one that runs with very little noise and vibration – was the primary application that drove engineers to develop and market low-noise ball bearings. Accordingly, the manufacturing equipment industry coined the term electric motor quality (EMQ) to identify this special class of low-noise bearings. Today, a […]

By AST Bearings The demand for a quiet electric motor – meaning, one that runs with very little noise and vibration – was the primary application that drove engineers to develop and market low-noise ball bearings. Accordingly, the manufacturing equipment industry coined the term electric motor quality (EMQ) to identify this special class of low-noise […]

Most applications involving radial bearings use one or more types of ball or roller bearings, which are available in various precision levels known as tolerance classes. To rate these tolerances uniformly, we use the ABEC and RBEC rating scales as the industry standards in the U.S. For ball bearings, these tolerance classes are ABEC 1, […]

Manufacturers in nearly every industry are increasingly raising performance expectations for rolling-element bearings while at the same time exposing them to operating and environmental conditions that, when extreme, can reduce the rating life by as much as 90%. Bearing life, explained Under typical operating conditions, the inner and outer rings and rolling elements are constantly…

The bearing industry uses different materials for the production of the various bearing components. Bearing materials are processed to achieve desirable properties to maximize bearing performance and life. Here, we examine the materials most commonly used and why. Bearings made of chrome steel — SAE 52100 The most common material used to produce the load-carrying […]

Examples of Applications Typical environments include factory and industrial sites, dirt and contaminants, humidity, and wash down areas. Typical properties of a grease that is suitable for the majority of motor applications: NLGI Grade 2 Mineral or Synthetic base oil Thickener formulation that provides durability against mechanical shear forces Low noise properties Corrosion resistance Operating […]

For rolling element ball bearings, determining the right lubricant is essential to maximize the life of the bearings and machinery and in turn, save money, time, and manpower. Unfortunately, many engineers fail to consider the multiple factors involved in the selection process. In this technical article, AST shares their holistic, strategic tips to help you […]

Choices can be confusing. Do you need chrome steel? Stainless steel? Low carbon steel? Or something else? Ball bearings are manufactured from a variety of materials, each designed to maximize performance and life. Below is a roundup of the various options and their uses: Chrome Steel – SAE 52100 The most common material for precision […]

With its offering of thin section ball bearings, AST helped two manufacturers of wall monitor arms used in healthcare applications achieve more reliable positioning and more durable mechanisms. Healthcare facilities turn to pivoting and articulating “arms” to hold monitors, and other equipment used in operating rooms, patient hospital rooms, and dental offices, among other venues. […]

By Christine Berlly Selecting the proper shaft and housing fit is critical in optimizing a radial ball bearing’s performance and life. A bearing can only perform to its full capacity when it is correctly fitted on the shaft and in the housing. Conversely, improper bearing fits, too loose or too tight, can lead to undesirable […]

By Joyce Laird, contributing editor Why are thin section ball bearings needed? Thin Section Ball Bearings were developed to solve problems where standard deep groove ball bearings are not suitable. John A. Wallace, Vice President of Operations, AST Bearings LLC says that typical applications are those where there are space limitations, concerns with weight, and […]

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By John Wallace, Vice President of Operations, AST Bearings Edited by Mike Santora Handheld power tools are commonplace in a variety of industries from automotive to aerospace. In construction, they are used by professional builders and DIYers alike. Ball bearings play a critical role in the performance and reliability of these tools, and are responsible […]

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By Christine Berlly Selecting the proper shaft and housing fit is critical in optimizing a radial ball bearing’s performance and life, and this post will look at some key considerations in the area. A bearing can only perform to its full capacity when it is correctly fitted on the shaft and in the housing. Conversely, […]

The post Radial Ball Bearings: Fitting and Mounting Considerations from AST appeared first on Bearing Tips.

When bearings fail to meet their expected life or performance levels, the consequences are far reaching and include, increased down time, high maintenance costs, loss of revenue, and…

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Specially formulated rubber seals protect 6000, 6200 and 6300 series ball bearings from moisture, wash-down chemicals, mud and dirt. Applications include outdoor environments, lawn and garden equipment, snow blowers, pumps and compressors, pulleys and idlers and rollers and conveyors. These bearings are filled with special grease lubricants featuring synthetic base oil with a lithium complex…