Specialist Bearing News

Should you opt for custom or off-the-shelf bearings?

Bearings 10-04-2025

The choice of bearings in machinery design significantly affects performance, durability and cost. Bearings are essential for reducing friction, supporting loads and allowing smooth operation of moving parts. With the rise in demand for highly specialised machinery and growing interest in custom manufacturing, engineers often face a critical decision — selecting custom bearings tailored to their application or opting for readily available off-the-shelf solutions. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, weighs up the advantages and disadvantages.

From friction to function

Bearings 03-03-2025

Noise and vibration in ball bearings threaten precision and safety in critical systems, costing manufacturers billions annually in maintenance and lost productivity. As demand from medical, aerospace and industrial sectors drives the USD 120.98 billion global bearings market towards a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5 per cent by 2030, tackling these challenges has never been more urgent. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist, SMB Bearings, explores the causes of noise and vibration and shares strategies to ensure optimal ball bearing performance in critical applications.

Precision fits

Bearings 27-02-2025

When evaluating bearing performance, material quality and lubrication typically take centre stage — a focus justified by BDS Bearing’s findings that these factors, along with poor fitting, account for up to 70 per cent of bearing failure cases. Despite this, the critical role of precision fits — the exact interplay between a bearing’s inner ring and shaft, or its outer ring and housing — are often overshadowed by other considerations. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores why precision fits demand greater attention from engineers and manufacturers.

The economic benefits of investing in high-quality bearings

Bearings 14-01-2025

The cost of unplanned downtime is staggering, with global estimates suggesting unplanned downtime costs manufacturers $50 billion annually. A critical yet often overlooked component in preventing such losses is the bearing — the small but vital part that keeps industrial operations running smoothly. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, discusses the economic benefits of investing in high-quality bearings.

Ensuring sterility and precision in pharma

Bearings 15-10-2024

According to the Sedgwick 2023 State of the Nation Recall Index, 2022 saw a surge in drug recalls, with sterility failures topping the list for the first time in over six years. This trend continued into 2023, as with microbial and chemical contamination dominating recalls. In such a high-stakes environment, where even minor defects can lead to significant health risks, every component of the production line plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialty bearing manufacturer, SMB Bearings, explains why bearings are essential to ensuring sterile and precise operations.

Bearing the weight of space

Bearings 29-08-2024

As NASA prepares its first Moon landing in nearly 50 years, the idea of colonising space inches closer. Projections suggest that commercial space travel, space tourism, orbital space stations and lunar habitats could become a reality by 2050. However, to make this possible, technology must withstand the harsh conditions of space including extreme temperatures and the demands of electric propulsion. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings, discusses the essential role of precision bearings in making space habitation possible.

The future of farming

Bearings 15-07-2024

McKinsey & Company reports that fully autonomous orchards and vineyards in the US, “can deliver more than $400 per acre per year in value, doubling to quadrupling returns on farmers’ investment in automation.” Autonomous machinery promises increased efficiency and productivity. However, this shift also presents new challenges for component manufacturers — particularly those involved in the design and performance of bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, discusses the unique demands autonomous agricultural equipment places on bearings.

Smart bearings support Industry 5.0

Bearings 18-06-2024

As industries align with the European Commission (EC)’s report Industry 5.0: Towards a Sustainable, Human-Centric and Resilient European Industry, predictive maintenance will be integral to Industry 5.0’s more sustainable, human-centric ethos. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings explains how, by preventing failures, reducing maintenance costs, and extending component lifespan, sensor-equipped bearings will be at the forefront of smart maintenance and supporting Industry 5.0 goals.

Why bearings will be essential to Agriculture 4.0

Bearings 03-04-2024

According to the European Commission (EC), “The digitalisation of the European agricultural sector has the potential to revolutionise the industry, promoting efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness”. New technologies, including smart actuators and intelligent sensors will be vital to Agriculture 4.0 and ‘precision agriculture’. But a vital component in these technologies mustn’t be overlooked: bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings, explains how specialty bearings support smoother movement, reduced friction and a great precision on Agriculture 4.0 farms.

Elevating food and beverage production

Bearings 18-03-2024

In the food and beverage packaging industry, the demand for high-quality products is inseparable from the need for impeccable hygiene and efficient processing. Traditional bearing materials often fall short in meeting these critical requirements. Enter ceramic bearings — a solution that offers not only enhanced performance but also addresses the stringent hygiene standards demanded by food and beverage environments. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at ceramic bearings supplier, SMB Bearings explains the benefits of opting for this material type.

The rise of recycled materials in bearing manufacturing

Bearings 04-03-2024

Bearing manufacturers are increasingly embracing sustainability by merging recycled materials into their production processes. This shift is motivated by a heightened environmental awareness, regulatory pressures, and the demand for eco-friendly products from customers. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores the benefits of integrating recycled materials in bearing manufacturing to reduce environmental impact and promote a circular economy.

Revolutionising testing with bearings

Bearings 29-02-2024

The Automated Test Equipment (ATE) market, valued at USD 8.5 billion in 2022, is poised for an impressive surge with a 10 per cent CAGR (2023-2032) propelled by the global shift towards vehicle electrification. ATE, the cornerstone of precision testing, relies fundamentally on industrial bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, explains how miniature and instrument ball bearings can support ATE advancement in such areas as control, instrumentation and metrology.