Sometimes, just getting the right information can be challenging.  Some sources can be too broad while others can be too narrow forcing a person to pull information from multiple locations. The same can be true for bearing catalogs.  However, this has all changed with AST Bearings’ full-line interactive bearings catalog.

The bearings catalog from AST Bearings is actually dynamically driven by a state-of-the-art database.  This gives it the flexibility it needs to deliver just the right information to the user every time.  This is especially true since AST Bearings full-line catalog contains more than 10,000 different part numbers (and that doesn’t factor in configuration differences such as lubricants, precision levels, materials, closures and more).

A Matter of Navigation

Besides being database driven, one of the true strengths of the AST Bearings full-line bearing catalog is the ability to start wherever you want.  If you want to see the entire catalog, you can start at the main index.  However, what if you only want to look at “Spherical Plain Bearings” or just “Thrust Bearings?”  That’s okay too because you can start in a catalog section dedicated to just that type of bearing.
Read More »

When KBC Bearings became part of the Shaeffler Group, the promotion of the 59 year-old brand outside of Korea was greatly minimized. This also made getting a copy of the KBC Bearings catalog difficult. However, the brand is very much alive and a great source for high-quality, Korean-made bearings. If you read Korean, you can check out their official website at:

http://www.schaeffler.kr/content.schaeffler.kr/ko/kbc_products/KBC_Products.jsp

Download the KBC Bearing Catalog

But now, through a special arrangement, the English language version of their full-line catalog is now available online. The KBC Bearings catalog is 244 pages and is broken down into fully index sections to quickly access the information you are looking for.
Read More »

John Wallace, VP of Operations for AST Bearings talks about the various materials that bearings are made of.

Another interview by Machine Design Magazine’s editor Lee Teschler with AST Bearing’s VP of Operations, John Wallace.  This time, they talk about the wide variety of materials that bearings are made of and some of the applications of these materials. The link below will take you to Machine Design Magazine’s website for the actual video:

http://machinedesign.com/video/bearings-material-ast-bearings-0628

Video Interview Discusses Various Bearing Steels

Most bearings today are made of steel, specifically SAE 52100 Chrome Steel.  However, there have been many advancements in alternative steels that present specific advantages over traditional chrome steel. John Wallace explains what some of these steels are and how they are made including Martensitic steels such as 440C, ACD34, and the very latest “SV30” super stainless steel. The video goes into some depth to explain how the SV30 steel is nitrogen enhanced and how it creates Chromium Nitrides rather than Chromium Carbides leading to a bearing with superior low noise characteristics, along with increase life and vastly improved corrosion resistance.
Read More »

Are you a mechanical engineer who has a question about bearings? Do you know the optimum bearing configuration for your design? Are you stuck on your design trying to determine the best type of bearing to use? How can you ensure that your product will not fail in the field due to premature bearing failure? What factors may lead to premature failure? Will the standard lubrication used by the factory be the best choice in your product over its expected life (what is the standard lube anyway)?

There are so many great questions about bearings that are highly dependent upon the specific product they are used in and the running environment. If you need help with any of them, ask AST Bearings, we’re bearing experts.

If you are an engineer, designer, or purchaser of bearings and have a quick question about bearings, just use our “Ask A Question” form.

Read More »

Go to AST Bearings' Interactive Online Catalog

Just in time for the holidays and new year, AST Bearings now has over 10,000 bearing products included on their interactive online catalog (10,024 products to be exact) in 8 product categories and 40 sub-categories. Each has downloadable 3D CAD models available free of charge and includes full specifications. AST just completed a major update to the catalog by adding or updating nearly 1,000 products over the past month or so. Please check it out and let us know what you think of it. Learn more…

Spherical bearings come in many different types to accommodate a wide variety of applications. What all of them have in common is the ability to accommodate misalignment from mounting or shaft deflection.

• Spherical Ball Bearings
• Spherical Roller Bearings
• Spherical Plain Bearings
• Spherical Rod End Bearings

Spherical Ball Bearings

More commonly known as Self-Aligning Double Row Ball Bearings, spherical ball bearings are designed to work in applications where severe misalignment exists whether from mounting or shaft deflection. The concave raceway of the outer ring in combination with two rows of balls operates over a wide range of contact angles. Furthermore it aligns itself correctly with the shaft and assembly without causing undue stress on the rest of the bearing assembly. Noteworthy is that the self-aligning ball bearing has the lowest friction of all rolling bearings, which enables it to run cooler even at high speeds. Furthermore, the design allows for easy mounting and dismounting.

Visit our web page dedicated to Self-Aligning Double Row Ball Bearings for more information about Spherical Ball Bearings. 
Read More »

Bearing grease consistency can greatly impact performance.

Bearing grease consistency can greatly affect the performance of the bearing and consequently the performance of the mechanical device or product.

Most people are familiar with the term “viscosity” as the measurable consistency of oil lubricants.  However, the average person probably does not know what the equivalent measurement for the consistency of grease (hint: it’s not viscosity). Bearing grease consistency is measured in “penetration levels.”

AST Bearings has created a mini white paper which covers the topic of “Bearing Grease Consistency.”  In it the following topics are covered:
Read More »