Miniature ball bearings run smooth and quiet

Miniature ball bearings have bore diameters as small as 3mm and thin cross-section profiles for compact designs. They operate at high speeds with low friction and minimal heat generation. The bearings, available in steel or stainless, work well in a wide range of medical and IVD instrument applications, including drills, syringe pumps, and automated pipettes.

A high degree of conformity between balls and raceway let them handle light to moderate radial and thrust loads even at high speeds. Internal geometry has been optimized for long life, quiet running, excellent sealing, low friction, and an ability to accommodate slight misalignments without significantly reducing bearing life.

Miniature ball bearings come in a wide range of types and designs. They can be specified with a variety of seals or shields and with various lubrication options.

SKF USA Inc., 1530 Valley Center Pkwy, Bethlehem, PA 18017, (800) 541-3624, info.ims.ca/6178-250
Circle 250

Plastic bearings work under high loads

Iglide Q is an economical, maintenance free alternative to bronze, metal-backed, and custom injection-molded bearings. The bearings can withstand loads of 14,500 psi and are well-suited for oscillating applications and can be used where both shock and impact loads are present. Iglide Q also is impervious to a wide range of chemicals, including organic solvents, fuels, oils, and fats. They are lubrication-free, corrosion-free, and dirt-resistant.

In continuous motion, the bearing operates within -40 to 275°F and can withstand short-term exposure up to 311°F. The bearings can be paired with an array of different shaft materials such as stainless steel or hard-anodized aluminum.

Igus Inc., PO Box 14349, East Providence, RI 02914, (800) 521-2747, info.ims.ca/6178-251
Circle 251

Lubrication improves smoothness and dynamic life

Originally developed for miniature ball screws, MSG greases provide significant improvements in both smoothness and dynamic life of antifriction systems. The greases are constructed from a compound of super-filtered synthetic lubricants. The MSG#1 is for extremely smooth precision motion in antifriction bearings. Its grease penetration number is a bit lower to ensure a glassy-smooth, non-sticky feel when fine positioning is needed at low speeds. MSG#2 has a higher penetration number so it will stay in place during high-speed motion, but not so stiff that it will cause churning or increased friction in high-speed systems.

The lower friction provided by MSG greases reduces wear, and increases life and smoothness of recirculation, providing a significant advantage in the performance linear systems.

The Precision Alliance, 1711 Market St., Suite 111, Fort Mill, SC 29708, (803) 396-5544, info.ims.ca/6178-252
Circle 252

Ceramic hybrid bearings last longer than steel versions

Ceramic bearings are made of a material similar to the heat absorbing, super resilient tiles on the Space Shuttle. Ceramic works well in applications that need higher RPMs, reduction in overall weight, or extremely harsh environments where high temperatures and corrosive substances are present.

Ceramic silicon nitride balls exhibit much greater hardness than steel balls resulting in at least 10 times greater ball life because of its ability to hold surface finish longer. The ceramic balls have smoother surfaces than the best steel balls resulting in less friction between them and bearing-race surfaces. Thermal properties are also improved over steel balls resulting in less heat build up at high speeds.

Suitable applications include cryopumps, medical devices, semiconductors, machine tools, turbine flow meters, food processing equipment, robotics, and optics.

Boca Bearings Company, 755 NW 17th Ave. #107, Delray Beach, FL 33445, (800) 332-3256, info.ims.ca/6178-253
Circle 253

Pivot bearing rotates with low hysteresis

The C-Flex pivot bearing is a cylindrical, limited-rotation bearing, with a high relative radial and axial stiffness. They are available in low, medium, or high torsional spring rates with maximum deflection angles of ±30°. Various configurations are supplied upon request. Torsional stiffness ranges from 0.0003 lb-in/degree to 7.8023 lb-in/degree. It can be used as an oscillating unit or an extremely sensitive critical element.

The bearing consists of two stainless steel sleeves held in position by three leaf springs on two planes. No contact between the sleeves eliminates friction. And the springs provide a pivotal action which is inherently self centering and requires no lubrication or maintenance.

C-Flex Bearing Co. Inc., 104 Industrial Dr., Frankfort, NY 13340, (315) 895-7454, info.ims.ca/6178-254
Circle 254