Quick Facts on Ball Bearings

Quick Facts on Ball Bearings

There is no way you can get things rolling without a ball bearing. Ball bearings are everywhere – in your car, bike, ceiling fans, and everywhere. These devices are designed to handle loads, eliminate friction so that the loads can be moved easily.
Here are some quick facts about ball bearings:
1. Leonardo da Vinci was thought to have invented the ball bearing. It was between 1498 and 1500 when he made a design for a helicopter. And in that diagram, he drew a structure similar to the ball bearings for reducing friction between two plates.
Source: http://www.leonardodavincisinventions.com/mechanical-inventions/leonardo-da-vinci-ball-bearing/
2. Welsh ironmaster Philip Vaughan got a patent for his design of ball bearings in 1794. Even after his design, the ball bearings continued to evolve with the advancement of automobile technology during the 19th and the early 20th century.
Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/technology/technology-terms-and-concepts/ball-bearing
3. Do you know that a modern household use at least 100 to 200 bearings in a variety of forms? From washing machines, DVD players, printer and laptop, a vacuum cleaner to kitchen drawers, refrigerators, and microwave ovens – ball bearings are crucial in every modern gadget.
4. Ball bearings constitute three parts. It has two ring-like grooved structure and steel balls. The ring-like structure may have the same width; however, their diameters may differ. One ring-like structure is smaller and it is fitted inside the other which is a bit bigger. The outside surface of the smaller ring is grooved and is attached to the machine (that it’s intended to). The ring-like structure on the outside also has a groove-like structure on its inside surface. The outside surface of the bigger ring is also attached to the machine. The gap between the two structures holds the steel balls. These balls help in minimising friction.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/technology/ball-bearing

5. The San Francisco Airport uses ball bearings as a protection against earthquake. Total 267 pillars support the airport and each of the pillar rest on a steel ball that has a diameter of 1.5 meters. The ball is contained within a concave foundation. In case of an earthquake, the pillars roll on the base of the balls. Once the earthquake stops, the pillars resume their previous position.

Source: http://www.earthquakeprotection.com/building_san_francisco_airport_terminal.html

6. Generally, steel is used for making ball bearings. These undergo a lot of stress and that’s why very strong steel is used for making strong ball bearings. The standard classification of steel that’s perfect for making ball bearings is that it should contain 1% each of carbon and chromium. After heat treatment, this steel becomes extremely strong.

Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/technology/technology-terms-and-concepts/ball-bearing

Get Quality Ball Bearings from authorised Bearing Distributors

While there are a number of ball bearing suppliers throughout the country but when buying, always go to the authorised dealer. And in this regard, we are one of the names that people have trusted for years. We are authorised distributors of brands such as Nachi, KHK, NMB, FYH, RHB, IBC, IJK, Samick, and ISC. We constantly try to focus on matching the customer expectation by providing them quality service.

To learn more, visit http://knowellinternational.com/brands.html