SMB Bearings

Stamping a low quality metal with a high quality machine tool probably wouldn’t result in success. But how many operators, unaware of the low grade material, would blame the machine tool? This event serves as a reminder that pinning the blame on the wrong thing, in any scenario, simply isn’t helpful. But as Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SMB Bearings explains, similar scapegoating also takes place with bearings.

There's a lot to consider when designing a robot for a cleanroom application. You're bringing together two genres of priorities, that of the robot; to be precise, smooth and long-lasting, and that of the environment; to prevent contamination in accordance with industry standards. Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SMB Bearings, explains why you need to consider both these genres when choosing cleanroom bearings.

  As is often the case, at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) the spotlight remained on robot personal assistants. Inspired by the show, Chris Johnson, Managing Director of SMB Bearings, explains what design engineers, as well as end users specifying a robot, should know about thin section bearings.

There is a huge buzz around robotic exoskeleton suits, all thanks to Hollywood. The technology portrayed in Iron Man, the Edge of Tomorrow, and Avatar all show humans with superhuman abilities because of robotic add-ons. Chris Johnson, Managing Director of specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains the importance of choosing specialised bearings and lubrication in robotic exoskeletons as the development into this technology advances in real life.

The time has finally come that some pro-cyclists have turned to precision hybrid ceramic bearings for their low rolling resistance to give them a race day advantage over those who opt for all-steel bearings. Chris Johnson, Managing Director of specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explains this choice and explores the differences between full ceramic and hybrid bearings.

A range of plastic bearings that provide non-magnetic, chemical resistant options to a variety of industries and manufacturers has been launched by miniature and specialist bearings and relubrication provider, SMB Bearings. The bearings provide a cost-effective solution to a range of niche markets, where traditional bearings would not be appropriate.

A range of non-magnetic, highly corrosion resistant ceramic bearings have been launched by specialist supplier of miniature bearings, SMB Bearings, which has the capability of facing extreme conditions at either ends of the temperature spectrum, even those found on Mars. With implications for the chemical, food and beverage, marine and pharmaceutical industry, this product launch will keep machinery moving smoothly in the harshest of environments. 

As the Eurovision Song Contest approaches, Oxfordshire-based miniature bearings supplier, SMB Bearings, has been contracted to provide specialist bearings as part of the set design for the 2017 competition, which is set to take place in Kyiv, Ukraine on 13th May. The stainless steel bearings will be used in lighting and camera rigs on the set of the annual televised contest.

A range of 316 grade stainless steel ball bearings has been added to SMB Bearings' catalogue. The 316 bearing variety has been specially selected for customers with applications operating in harsh environments, which the bearings can withstand thanks to their marine grade stainless steel construction. The bearings will find a home in food processing, chemical manufacture and pharmaceutical production as well as marine and other liquid process applications.