As the manufacturing sector races toward digital transformation, future stands where innovation intersects with sustainability. Read more on the latest issue of Manufacturing Today
Author: Team NBC
Bearings are essential components that keep our world rolling smoothly. These mechanical wonders reduce friction which is the main factor which helps in the smooth operations of a vast variety of movable devices and machinery. From your skateboard wheels to the wheels of a high-speed train to function, the simple act of opening your refrigerator door to the complex processes inside a jet engine, each of these are dependent upon bearings for their efficiency. In this blog, we’ll explore the fascinating world of bearings, breaking down the different types and their everyday applications.
Types of Bearing for Your Application
- Deep Groove Ball Bearings
- Angular Contact Ball Bearings
- Cylindrical Roller Bearings
- Spherical Roller Bearings
- Needle Roller Bearings
- Tapered Roller Bearings
Rolling into Bearings 101
Before we dive into the diverse world of bearings, let’s get our bearings straight (pun intended!). Imagine trying to move your furniture across the room without wheels or bearings. It would be an arduous task! Bearings are mechanical devices that reduce friction between moving parts in a machine, allowing them to move more smoothly and efficiently. They come in various shapes, sizes, and designs, each serving a specific purpose in the grand machinery of our world. Bearings are impacting everything in our lives but we are not aware of where and how. From industrial machines to the tiny wheels on a shopping cart, bearings are everywhere.
Ball Bearings: Round and Rolling like BB-8
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then ball bearings would be as active and reliable as the great BB-8, the lovable spherical droid. Ball bearings consist of small, round balls housed in a circular raceway. Picture a ball pit at a children’s play center, but now imagine these balls are precision-engineered and made of metal. Ball bearings are all about reducing friction by using small metal balls between two surfaces. They are adept at handling radial and thrust loads where smooth rotation is essential.
- Skateboards: The coolest skateboarding legends owe a lot to ball bearings. They keep skateboard wheels spinning smoothly, making those incredible tricks possible.
- Electric Fans: Ever wondered why your fan rotates so effortlessly? Ball bearings are the answer, ensuring your room stays cool without any annoying squeaks.
- Maintenance: Carefully handle bearings and store them in a clean and dry place. Check housing and shaft for dirt or damage. Avoid direct heat and lubricate regularly.
Roller Bearings: The Swiss Roll of Bearings
Imagine a delicious Swiss roll cake, and now imagine them made in durable metal that use cylindrical rollers to distribute load more evenly. That is how a roller bearing works. They come in various designs, including cylindrical, tapered, and needle rollers, each tailored for specific applications. Roller bearings take the principle of ball bearings to the next level. Instead of small balls, they use cylindrical rollers to reduce friction. This design handles heavier loads and is commonly seen in:
- Automobiles: Roller bearings support various components in your car, like the wheels, transmission, and engine. Without them, your road trip would be a bumpy ride.
- Conveyor Belts: At airports, roller bearings play a crucial role in moving luggage smoothly from one place to another.
- Maintenance: Carefully handle bearings and store them in a clean and dry place. Check housing and shaft for dirt or damage. Avoid direct heat while mounting the bearing and lubricate regularly.
Tapered Roller Bearings: The Conquerors of Axial Loads
Tapered roller bearings are the superheroes of bearings who can handle axial (thrust) loads in addition to radial loads. They ensure smooth rotation, especially during sharp turns. Much like how Batman’s cape helps him glide gracefully through Gotham’s skies, tapered roller bearings help vehicles maneuver with ease. But in the bearings universe tapered roller bearings can be considered the multitaskers. These bearings are found in:
- Trucks and Heavy Machinery: Tapered roller bearings support the enormous weight of trucks and construction equipment, ensuring they don’t buckle under the pressure.
- Automobiles: Steering wheels of passenger vehicles.
- Washing Machines: Even household appliances benefit from these bearings, ensuring your clothes get a thorough wash without any hiccups.
- Maintenance: Proper servicing is required to chemically clean, and air dry bearings. The roller, cage, rings, and race must be carefully examined for wear, pitting, or discoloration, and then repacked with the proper grease.
Spherical Bearings: Bearing with an Angle
In terms of versatility spherical bearings are the most valuable players for the bearings team. These bearings can tilt, swivel, and adapt to angular misalignments, quite like gymnasts in the bearing universe, bending and flexing to maintain contact and distribute loads evenly. These bearings can handle misalignment and accommodate angular motion, making them versatile in applications such as:
- Astronomy: Telescopes use spherical bearings to track celestial objects across the night sky. This flexibility ensures astronomers don’t miss out on the wonders of the universe.
- Robotics: Spherical bearings are vital in robotics, allowing robots to move precisely and adapt to changing conditions.
- Maintenance: Routine inspection, timely lubrication for reduced friction, alignment checks and temperature monitoring while avoiding humidity will help scale-up the lifetime of the bearing.
Needle Bearings: Small But Mighty
Needle bearings are the slender athletes among bearings, known for their high load-carrying capacity in a compact design. They may look unassuming, but they pack a powerful punch in applications where space is limited, like Ant-Man who shrinks to navigate tight spaces, in cramped quarters. Their slender cylindrical rollers make them ideal for high radial loads. They find their niche in:
- Motorcycles: Motorcycle engines rely on needle bearings for smooth operation, ensuring that you enjoy the open road without any interruptions.
- Textile Industry: The precision of needle bearings is essential in textile machinery, helping to weave fabrics flawlessly.
- Maintenance: Protect needle bearings from contaminants which means sealed and secured from dirt, dust, and moisture. Ensure that seals or shields are intact and functional. Check for any misalignment or unusual noise during operation as this can bring down the productivity of the bearing in the long run.
Plain Bearings: The Silent Workers
While rolling bearings get most of the spotlight, plain bearings work silently behind the scenes, providing a low-friction surface between two sliding parts. They’re like the behind-the-scenes crew in a blockbuster movie, making everything look seamless without stealing the limelight. While other bearings roll or glide, plain bearings, also known as sleeve bearings, rely on a layer of lubrication to reduce friction. They’re commonly used in:
- Refrigeration: The quiet hum of your refrigerator can be attributed to plain bearings, which allow the compressor to run smoothly.
- Aircraft Engines: Plain bearings play a critical role in aircraft engines, keeping them operating at peak performance during long flights.
- Fittings & Bicycles: You’ll find plain bearings in hinges, door knobs, and even the pedals on your bicycle.
- Maintenance: Simply follow the usual maintenance procedures and raise a flag in case of any abnormalities in alignment, lubrication, etc.
Thrust Bearings: Handling the Pressure
Imagine the intense competition in a game of chess, with each piece vying for dominance. Thrust bearings handle axial loads, like the strategic moves in chess, allowing machines to function smoothly under pressure. Think of thrust bearings as the referees of the bearing world. They handle axial loads, ensuring that components stay in their lanes. You can find them in:
- Wind Turbines: Thrust bearings keep wind turbine blades aligned with the wind, maximizing energy production from renewable sources.
- Power Tools: In your favorite DIY power drill, thrust bearings help transmit the force from the motor to the drill bit efficiently.
- Aeronautics: They are crucial in applications like helicopter rotors, ensuring precision and stability during flight.
- Maintenance: Regular lubrication is crucial to reduce friction and prevent wear. Monitor operating temperatures to detect potential issues early, and ensure that the bearing is properly aligned within its housing to prevent uneven wear. Regular inspections for signs of damage or contamination, along with prompt replacement of worn components, contribute to the overall longevity and optimal performance of thrust bearings.
Magnetic Bearings: The Futuristic Touch
Now, let’s step into the future with magnetic bearings. Taking a leap into the future, magnetic bearings use electromagnets to levitate a rotating shaft without any physical contact. Think of them as the hoverboards from “Back to the Future,” defying gravity and friction to achieve ultra-smooth and efficient rotation. These bearings use magnetic fields to levitate and move components, eliminating physical contact and friction. They’re used in:
- High-Speed Trains: Perfect for high-speed turbomachinery. Magnetic bearings help maintain the incredible speeds of trains like the Japanese Maglev, which can reach up to 375 mph!
- MRI Machines: The precision of magnetic bearings is vital in the medical field, ensuring the safety and accuracy of MRI scans.
- Maintenance: Regular monitoring of bearing temperatures, alignment, and vibration levels is essential to detect potential issues early. Implement a systematic lubrication schedule using the recommended lubricants to minimize friction and wear. Conduct routine inspections for any signs of contamination or damage to the bearing surfaces.
Ceramic Bearings: The Tough and Resilient Ones
Ceramic bearings, made from materials like silicon nitride, are known for their durability and resistance to corrosion and high temperatures. These bearings are tough cookies and are perfect for high impact applications.
- High-performance sports equipment: Skateboards, inline skates, and high-speed fishing reels.
- Wind Turbine: To be able to put up with the pressure and resistance.
- Steel Rolling Mills: For handling heavy duty metal works with complete finesse.
- Maintenance: Maintaining ceramic bearings involves stringent cleanliness protocol during installation and handling to prevent particle ingress that could compromise performance. Adhering to these maintenance practices enhances the durability, efficiency, and reliability of ceramic bearings.
Hydrostatic Bearings: Gliding on a Cushion of Fluid
Imagine a hovercraft gliding effortlessly on a cushion of air—hydrostatic bearings work similarly, using a pressurized fluid to lift and support heavy loads. Hydrostatic bearings are prized for their ability to provide ultra-precise positioning, reduce friction and wear, dampen vibrations, and handle heavy loads. These qualities make them invaluable in industries where accuracy, reliability, and efficiency are paramount.
- Machine Tools: High-precision machine tools, such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and machining centers. They offer exceptional stability, vibration dampening, and high precision during metalworking processes, ensuring the production of accurate and finely finished components.
- Metrology and Calibration: Coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) and optical inspection systems, rely on hydrostatic bearings for their precision and repeatability. These bearings help ensure accurate measurements and quality control in various industries.
To wrap up, in the grand scheme of things, bearings are the unsung heroes that keep the wheels of progress turning. Bearings play a vital role in countless applications, making our lives easier and more efficient. So, the next time you hop on a train, open your fridge or take a spin on your bicycle, take a moment to appreciate the magic of bearings – the true champions of friction reduction, quietly keep the show running, one smooth rotation at a time..
Mr. Sanjeev Taparia, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, NBC Bearings share his valuable insights on showcasing a comprehensive range of products tailored to meet the specific demands of mining sector at the International Mining, Equipment & Minerals Exhibition 2023. This includes bearings designed to withstand heavy loads, shock loads, and the harsh environmental conditions commonly found in mining operations.
Discover NEI’s role as a leading bearings manufacturer and their commitment to societal well-being and environmental elevation. Learn about their CSR pillars, initiatives, and sustainability vision for a harmonious future.
~ NEI will be responsible for business promotion of FOGTEC products including Supply, installation, and commissioning of the product for Indian Railways~
~NEI will also oversee the after-sales services for Indian Railways ~
Jaipur, 12th October 2023: National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI) – part of the US$ 2.8 billion CK Birla Group and manufacturer of NBC brand of bearings, India’s leading bearings manufacturer, and exporter, has collaborated with FOGTEC Fire Protection Pvt. Ltd, to supply the Fire Detection System and Fire Suppression System used in Indian Railways. NEI will oversee FOGTEC’s product promotion, supply, installation, commissioning, and post-sales service for the Indian Railways. Through this partnership, NEI is diversifying its product portfolio beyond bearings.
As part of its collaboration with FOGTEC, NEI will directly engage with Indian Railways through its dedicated team. This collaboration will further help Indian Railways to enhance the safety and security of its customers while bringing in new, innovative, reliable & global solutions at competitive prices.
Speaking on the collaboration, Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI) said, “We are very excited to partner with FOGTEC Fire Protection Pvt. Ltd to further strengthen our relationship with the Indian Railways now with the distribution of Fire Detection and Suppression Systems. FOGTEC is one of the leading OEMs for Fire Detection Systems and Fire Suppression Systems and NEI has been catering to the Indian Railway for more than 7 decades now”.
“This partnership aligns with the Indian railway’s focus on enhancing safety and security, and NEI’s vast experience, market reach, and customer-centric approach combined with the innovative and reliable products of FOGTEC will support customer expectations. We are certain that NEI’s foray into Non-Bearing areas will help FOGTEC benefit in terms of new & increased business volumes and deep penetration in Indian Railway segment”, he added.
Roger – A. Dirksmeier, Managing Director – Rail Systems and member of the board at FOGTEC, said, “We are delighted to partner with NEI, a company with a notable seven-decade track record of serving the Indian Railways. We are sure that NEI’s experience makes them an excellent partner for us to navigate and thrive in this market together. We look forward to serving the Indian Railways in collaboration with NEI. Our own long-term and sustainable planning fits well with the philosophy of our new partner and will increase our presence and availability in the Indian market significantly.”.
The collaboration was announced at IREE 2023 in the presence of the German embassy to India, represented by Mr. Alexander Reck, Head of Digital & Transport at the German Embassy.
About National Engineering Industries Ltd (NBC Bearings)
Founded in 1946, National Engineering Industries Ltd (NEI), is a part of the US$ 2.8 bn CK Birla group and manufacturer of the NBC brand of bearings. Enabling sustainability by making movement more efficient, NEI is India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of bearings with manufacturing capacity of 250 Mn bearings annually in over 3100+ variants for application across automotive, railways, aerospace and industrial segments to serve customers in more than 30 countries. It also serves the Indian aftermarket through a countrywide network of over 550 authorized stockists and thousands of retailers.
Headquartered in Jaipur, NEI is India’s leading manufacturer in the world to win the prestigious Deming Grand Prize (2015). With an employee strength of over 2,800 and five manufacturing plants in Jaipur (2), Newai (Rajasthan), Manesar (Haryana) and Vadodara (Gujarat), NEI is equipped with global manufacturing and process technology and has one of the best R&D centres in India. Apart from being technologically advanced, the company practices methods of sustainability by using alternate sources of energy and increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process by leveraging on the power of digitisation. NBC Bearings is committed to be carbon neutral by 2039.
In 2020, National Engineering Industries Ltd, acquired Kinex bearings in Europe through it’s subsidiary NBC Global Ag, to enhance, diversify and provide best-in-class products to its existing and potential customers. In 2022, NBC Global Ag opened it’s Global Technology Centre in Germany to support innovation and provide support to NEI’s global growth. For details, visit: https://nbcbearings.com/
About FOGTEC Fire Protection Pvt. Ltd
FOGTEC Fire Protection Pvt. Ltd is a subsidiary of the owner-managed German company FOGTEC Brandschutz GmbH, based in Cologne. FOGTEC was founded in 1997 and became with its business unit Rail Systems one of the world´s leading suppliers for fire detection and fire suppression systems for rolling stock applications. More than 20.000 systems supplied by the IRIS-certified company are in operation worldwide. FOGTEC offers a wide portfolio of different technologies depending on customer´s needs from simple single area detection up to highly reliable SIL2 certified complete systems. With its own development departments FOGTEC is able to react to specific customer requirements, to develop and provide customized solutions managing project specific challenges and requirements.
Effective employee retention strategies are vital for a successful organization. Foster a culture of continuous engagement, recognize high potential, offer growth opportunities, and establish feedback platforms. Regular interactions and tailored development plans also play a crucial role in retaining top talent, ensuring your company’s continued success.
Unlock efficiency and productivity with our bearing solutions. Elevate your business operations with reliable bearings that keep you moving forward.
Profitable sustainability: Explore how eco-friendly practices boost business profits, enhance brand value, and provide a competitive edge in a changing world.
~ 2500 trees have already been planted, and the remaining are to be planted over the next three months~
~5000 plants to be distributed amongst NEI employees across plants in Jaipur, Newai, Vadodara, and Manesar~
Jaipur, 28th July 2023: National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI) – part of the US$ 2.8 billion CK Birla Group and manufacturer of NBC brand of bearings, India’s leading bearings manufacturer, and exporter, has pledged to plant 10,000 trees in Jagatpura, Jaipur in an effort to create a green cover for the city. The plantation drive is taking place to commemorate World Nature Conservation Day and will be part of NEI’s overall commitment to sustainable development. Under the initiative, 2500 trees have already been planted so far, with 7,500 more to be planted over the next three months.
To plant trees, NEI has partnered with the Safearth Foundation, an NGO that is on a mission to reduce annual global emissions and build grassroots coping mechanisms in the communities that will be hit hardest by the threats of climate change. Through the partnership, the organization will not only ensure the plantation of trees but will also make sure that the trees are native to their environments and that they will be nurtured and monitored over time.
In addition to planting trees, NEI will also be distributing 5,000 plants to its employees on World Nature Conservation Day in an effort to create awareness about nature conservation.
Speaking on the occasion, Rohit Saboo, President & CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEI) said, “In the world of manufacturing, our mission needs to go beyond innovation. Not only we’re building a better future in terms of technology, but one that’s sustainable, greener, and more vibrant. It’s our responsibility to take the necessary strides towards a flourishing earth. By partnering with the Safearth Foundation, we are taking that next step – we’re giving back to nature, restoring its beauty, and inspiring a culture of sustainability within our team and community. Together, we aim to become trailblazers for a greener earth. We truly believe that this is just the beginning of our extraordinary journey.”
This plantation drive is one of the many ways that NEI is working to reduce its carbon footprint and move towards embracing sustainability. The company has also taken strides to improve its energy efficiency as it practices methods of sustainability by using alternate sources of energy and increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process by leveraging the power of digitisation. The NBC’s Jaipur plant is also a role model of sustainability, with 40 acres of green belt balancing the impact of the built-up area of 37 acres. NBC Bearings is committed to being carbon neutral by 2039.
About National Engineering Industries Ltd (NBC Bearings)
Founded in 1946, National Engineering Industries Ltd (NEI), is a part of the US$ 2.8 bn CK Birla group and manufacturer of the NBC brand of bearings. Enabling sustainability by making movement more efficient, NEI is India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of bearings with production of 200 Mn bearings annually in over 2300+ variants for application across automotive, railways, aerospace and industrial segments to serve customers in more than 30 countries. It also serves the Indian aftermarket through a countrywide network of over 550 authorized stockists and thousands of retailers.
Headquartered in Jaipur, NEI is India’s leading manufacturer in the world to win the prestigious Deming Grand Prize (2015). With an employee strength of over 2,800 and five manufacturing plants in Jaipur (2), Newai (Rajasthan), Manesar (Haryana) and Vadodara (Gujarat), NEI is equipped with global manufacturing and process technology and has one of the best R&D centres in India. Apart from being technologically advanced, the company practices methods of sustainability by using alternate sources of energy and increasing the efficiency of the manufacturing process by leveraging on the power of digitisation. NBC Bearings is committed to be carbon neutral by 2039.
In 2020, National Engineering Industries Ltd, acquired Kinex bearings in Europe through it’s subsidiary NBC Global Ag, to enhance, diversify and provide best-in-class products to its existing and potential customers. In 2022, NBC Global Ag opened it’s Global Technology Centre in Germany to support innovation and provide support to NEI’s global growth. For details, visit: https://nbcbearings.com/
NEI, a major player in manufacturing bearings, thrives amid investment surge. Sanjeev Taparia, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, reveals growth strategies aiming to double sales by 2025.
