Bearing Centre Blog

Bearings In Common, Everyday Objects

Monday, February 11, 2019

If you’re unfamiliar with bearings and have visited our website to learn about these important components, you may believe that they are purely for use within an industrial setting. It may then surprise you that the same types of bearings that are so vital for industrial applications, also play an important role in the many products and appliances that you use every day. Nearly everything that has moving parts will require some kind of bearing; from toys and office equipment to common appliances and electronics, bearings are essential for creating a smooth flow of motion. ..

What You Should Know About Wheel Bearings

Monday, January 28, 2019

Why are wheel bearings so important? The simple answer is that they quite literally keep the wheels attached to your vehicle. When you consider the alternative, it suddenly becomes clear that we should all know a lot more about these often overlooked but vital components in our vehicles; how they function and, most importantly, how to prevent them from failing. ..

Know When Your Wheel Bearings Need Replacing

Monday, January 21, 2019

Wheel bearings are a crucial component in the operation of any vehicle, providing friction-free movement and rotation of the hub assembly, and thereby ensuring smooth rotation of the wheels. Without wheel bearings, your wheels simply wouldn’t work and yet, when a vehicle begins to show signs that something is wrong, these small but critical components are often overlooked. Like all parts under daily stress, wheel bearings may begin to wear out, but luckily, there are a few distinct signs that point to this particular problem. ..

Which Bearing Lubricant Is Best

Monday, January 14, 2019

If you’re a novice when it comes to working with bearings, it’s important to understand the vital role that lubrication plays in the running speed, temperature, torque level, noise level and, ultimately, the overall life of your bearings. The thin film that lubricants provide between contact areas is essential for reducing friction and minimising bearing wear. ..

Synchronous Drive Gear-Belts - All You Need to Know

Monday, September 17, 2018

Synchronous drive gear-belts, also known as toothed belts, timing belts, cog or cogged belts, are an essential part of many mechanical devices that require high-powered transmission. In simple terms, they are flexible belts with an inner surface that has been moulded with teeth. During operation, they are designed to run over pulleys or sprockets with matching teeth, ensuring that the belt remains in place and does not slip. ..

Avoid Over-Lubricating Your Bearings

Monday, September 10, 2018

We’ve covered the importance of lubrication in many previous posts and stressed how proper lubrication could extend the life of your bearings, prevent damaging your stainless steel fasteners, as well as how lubricant is an essential component when installing seals. What we often fail to consider is what happens when bearings are over-lubricated. Many people may believe that it’s impossible to use too much lubricant but, as with most things in life, moderation is the key to optimum functionality. ..

All About Oil Seals

Monday, September 03, 2018

Oil seals go by many names, such as shaft seals, dirt seals, grease seals, lip seals, and many other variations of these. They are essentially simple devices used in rotary shaft equipment to prevent lubricant from escaping and for excluding contaminants such as dust, dirt and water. An oil seal’s most important function, however, is that it protects every type of ball, sleeve and roller bearing in the rotating shafts. The seals also prevent the integration of two different fluids that shouldn’t mix, such as oil and water. ..

Choosing The Correct Seal For Your Bearings

Monday, August 20, 2018

Bearing seals are used to retain fluids and prevent contamination of the bearing race. The seals must create the least amount of friction and wear, allowing the bearing to perform consistently at its best. They must also provide the most amount of protection for the bearing, even under extreme pressure and environmental conditions. There are enormous amounts of seals to choose from when you’re in the market, so how do you know which type of seal is the most appropriate one for your particular bearings? ..

A Speedy Solution From SKF For Your Worn Shafts

Monday, August 13, 2018

Using the SKF Speedi-Sleeve to cover a worn area of your shaft is as simple as pushing it into position. There is no need for disassembly or machining, and no special equipment is required, barring a rubber mallet and a pair of pliers. Any special tools needed for installation are supplied. This thin-walled sleeve (0,28mm or 0.011in), developed by SKF, provides a counterface surface that is optimised for radial shaft seals, minimising costly downtime. ..

Understand The Different Types Of O-Ring Materials

Monday, August 06, 2018

We’ve covered the basic history and common uses for O-rings but if you’re in the market for these mechanical pieces, it’s always worth considering what type of material they’re made from. We know that O-rings, also called packing or toric joints, are widely used as sealing products in a variety of applications. The original O-ring design hasn’t changed much but the development of materials, particularly in the last few decades, has allowed for specialty O-rings that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressure, as well as hazardous chemicals. ..