BEARINGS, HOW THEY ARE MADE
I saw this video this morning and thought it would a good way to start the new year of 2012.  It was interesting to watch, and very informative.

Hope you enjoy it.

The Timken name stands for high quality and outstanding performance.  Using their capabilities in bearing technology, manufacturing, engineering support and distribution, they provide their customers with smart, cost-effective friction management and power transmission solutions that help outperform the competition.

Expanded Housed Unit Offering

From the manufacturer that brought you reliable Fafnir^® ball bearing housed units and Timken® SAF® pillow blocks comes a growing line of roller housed units. We’ve expanded our offering to include Timken® Type E housed units featuring our own advanced tapered roller bearings and seals.

The latest innovation is their  new series of Timken^®

Type E roller housed units. Timken engineers have applied more than 110 years of expertise in bearing design — and leadership in tapered roller bearings — to bring you an optimized performance tapered roller bearing housed unit. They have improved thier own design to create the new standard in performance.

The Timken brand stands for outstanding quality in everything they do, from product design and manufacturing to engineering support and distribution.

Timken’s commitment to quality, service and delivery adds up to an unbeatable value for customers everywhere.

As the only premium bearing manufacturer to also make super-clean, high-alloy bearing steel, Timken knows how critical quality materials are to product performance.

They have also implement the Timken Quality Management System in every plant worldwide, so each bearing product meets the same high performance standards — no matter where in the world it is manufactured.

Dependable Service

Their roller housed units are backed with the service of Timken’s industry-leading experts who are ready to assist you with product design, application knowledge and 24/7 field engineering support — anything you need to help improve uptime and maximize equipment performance.

On Time Delivery

Timken Bearings know short lead times are critical to keeping your operations up and running. Many of their Type E roller housed units are in stock for immediate shipping. For special orders, They work quickly to manufacture and deliver your products on time.

HOT ROLLING

 ANNEALING

Annealing is heating uniformly to a temperature within or above the critical range and cooling at a controlled rate to a temperature under the critical range. This treatment is used to produce a definite microstructure, usually one designed for best machinability. It is also used to remove stresses; induce softness; and alter ductility, toughness or other mechanical properties.

HOT BED COOLING

This is the standard process of air cooling the tubing immediately following piercing on a special table or hot bed that continuously advances the tubing as additional tubes are finished. Tubing that is hot bed cooled may require additional thermal treatment to obtain optimum machinability or required mechanical properties.

MILL ANNEALING

Mill annealing is a controlled cooling of the tubing immediately following piercing which produces – in some low and medium carbon alloy grades – the optimum hardness and microstructure for machinability.

NORMALIZING

In this process, steel is heated uniformly to a temperature at least 99° F (37° C) above the critical range and cooling in air to room temperature. This treatment produces a recrystallization and refinement of the grain structure and gives the product uniformity in hardness and structure.

PROCESS TEMPERING

Process tempering is performed to improve subsequent fabrication of the material (machining, cold working, etc.). See Tempering.

QUENCHING (QUENCH HARDENING)

This processes heats steel uniformly to a temperature above the critical range and cools it rapidly in a liquid medium.

SPHEROIDIZE ANNEALING

This special type of annealing requires an extremely long cycle. Spheroidize annealing is used to produce a globular condition of the carbide and maximum softness for best machinability in some analyses or to maximize cold formability.

STRESS FREE

This designates tubing that has been hot rotary straightened. Minimal straightening stresses develop in hot rotary straightening, so stress relief tempering is not needed. Cold rotary straightening and stress relieving can substitute for hot rotary straightening.

STRESS RELIEVING

Stress relieving is a final thermal treatment used when stress-free material is desired. Its purpose is to restore elastic properties and minimize distortion on subsequent machining or hardening operations. This treatment is usually applied on material that has been heat treated (quenched and tempered). Normal practice is to heat to a temperature 99° F (37° C) lower than the tempering temperature used to establish mechanical properties and hardness.

TEMPERING

Tempering heats uniformly to a temperature under the critical range, holding at that temperature for a designated period of time and cooling in air. This treatment is used to produce one or more of the following end results:

• To soften material for later machining or cold working. Also referred to as a Process Temper.
• To improve ductility and relieve stresses resulting from prior treatment or cold working.
• To produce the desired mechanical properties or structure in the second step of a double

• Standard IsoClass Bearings

The 30000 series bearings included in the original ISO/R355 standard, often referenced as DIN720, now constitute the core of the IsoClass line of metric bearings.

• IsoClass Spacer Assemblies

A wide range of spacer assemblies is available for numerous applications in the original-equipment and replacement markets.

Most single-row standard IsoClass bearings can be supplied as a two-row, pre-set, ready-to-fit assembly by adding spacers machined to pre-determined dimensions and tolerances.

• Customized IsoClass Bearings

Modified and flanged IsoClass bearings are indicated by prefixes and/or suffixes to the basic part number.  These bearings are not interchangeable with bearings sharing the same basic part number.

• Modified IsoClass Bearings
  • Timken has developed modified ISO 355 bearing designs to meet specific application requirements.  These bearings have a modified external configuration or internal geometry.
  • Flanged IsoClass Bearings
    • A variation on standard IsoClass bearings, the flanged outer race facilitates axial location and accurately aligned seats in a through-bored housing.
• ISO STANDARDS

The ISO 355 international  metric standard defines dimensions and cup angles for single-row tapered roller bearings.  Originally intended to replace the ISO/R 355 standard, the new ISO 355 standard defined additional bearings and created new designation codes for the entire dimensional codes for the entire dimensional spectrum of ISO 355 metric bearings.

Because new designation codes for bearings that were in accordance with both the old and new standards.

…. Of a new millennium, striking a balance among innovation, quality, performance and economics could be a formidable task for some bearing suppliers.  But not for The Timken Company.

For the past century, Timken has worked to blend these essential elements to create enduring value for their customers.  This focus, and the synergy between Timken’s steelmaking and bearing manufacturing organizations, adds up to a degree of product knowledge that is unsurpassed in the world.

Today, the measure of Timken’s success can be stated quite simply; Timken is the world’s largest manufacturer of tapered roller bearings.  They have led the bearing industry in nearly every significant technological advancement, manufacturing evolution, and material enhancement since Henry Timken first patented the tapered roller bearing in 1898.

Of course, maintaining this leadership position requires a full measure of dedication.  Stemming from the core of the Timken organization is a passion for quality in all that they do and a steadfast commitment to offer a spectrum of bearings and related services that add value to your own end product.

You will find this particularly true when it comes to our line of metric tapered roller bearings.

• AN EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF 30000 SERIES METRIC BEARINGS

The Timken IsoClass brand was developed to encompass and expand Timken’s range of metric bearings – and provide you with outstanding value now and in the future.  The result is an extensive line of ISO bearings with more than 170 part numbers in the 30000 series readily available.

A closer look will show that Timken IsoClass bearings represent a commitment that reaches far beyond adopting a new brand.

For example, since 1996, Timken has invested more than $60 million in new plants and people to support the IsoClass product line.  They have added 30 part numbers to allow them to provide a full line of products to meet this important market’s needs.

In research and development, Timken has invested more than 50,000 hours to evaluate and develop  new and existing designs and 500,000 hours in performance testing.  They have expanded their metric manufacturing capacity with facilities in Italy and Poland joining our other plants in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Great Britain, Romania, and the United States.

Koyo BMT 39 - Bearing Mounting Tools

Practical Mechanical mounting set for safe, precise and quick mounting of bearings, bushings, sealing rings, cam wheels and pulleys.  The set consists of a dead-blow hammer, 3 aluminum sleeves and a set of 39 plastic collets (rings).

The impact resistant plastic collets support the inner and outer rings when mounting, preventing metal to metal contact and possible damage to the bearing rings and shaft.

History of The Timken Company

For more than 100 years, Timken has focused on value creation for diverse industries and market segments. We deliver a variety of friction management and power transmission solutions for applications ranging from aircraft and automobiles to mining equipment and medical instruments.  We’ve grown considerably since our founding in 1899, but solving customer problems is still at the core of our business, just like it was when founder Henry Timken patented a tapered roller bearing design that made life easier for freight wagon operators and their mules.

The Beginning

Henry Timken, a St. Louis carriage maker, recognized that heavy freight wagons had a hard time making sharp turns. To solve the problem, he applied a tapered roller bearing design that could handle both radial (weight) and thrust (cornering force) loads. There were several customer benefits. First, the application ran more smoothly, reducing repair and replacement costs. In some cases, the bearings improved wagon performance so much that fewer mules were required to pull them. Finally, better cornering meant less chance of losing a load of goods. Always focused on customer benefit, Henry quickly realized that the tapered roller bearing could improve product performance in many other applications as well. He and his sons, H.H. and William Timken, quickly founded The Timken Roller Bearing and Axle Company and began building the business into what it is today.

Tapered roller bearings are designed such that the outer ring, inner ring and rollers have tapered surfaces whose apexes converge at a common point on the bearing axis. Among with metric series bearings, inch series bearings are also available. 

This type of bearing is suitable for application that involve heavy or impact loading.

Single row tapered roller bearings

Able to carry radial and axial load in one direction simultaneously. 

Because an axial component of force is produced when this type of bearing is loaded radially, two bearings are used together facing one another, or two or more bearings are matched and used.

There are the standard, medium and steep type which are different in contact angle size. 

Medium-tapered metric series bearings are identified by the supplementary code “D” which is added as a suffix to bearing numbers.

Bearings whose outer ring width, outer ring small inside diameter and contact angle are determined in accordance with ISO 355 specifications are identified by the supplementary code “J” as a suffix. 

Inner ring assemblies and the outer rings of such bearings are interchangeable with those of bearings produced abroad if the bearing numbers are the same.

Double row tapered roller bearings

These bearings are divided into the TDO type which has one double outer ring and two single-row inner rings and the TDI type which has two single row outer rings and one double inner ring.  Both accommodate radial and axial loading in both directions.

These two also carry moment loads, however, the TDO type is superior to the TDI type because the distance between load centers is longer in the TDO type.

The spacer of the TDO type, or the TDI type, pre-adjusts the internal clearance to provide proper operating clearance after mounting.

Currently, as bearing design has become diversified, their application range is being increasingly extended.  In order to elect the most suitable bearings for an application, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive study on both bearings and the equipment in which the bearings will be installed, including operating conditions, the performance required of the bearings, specifications of the other components to be installed along with the bearings, marketability, and cost performance, etc.

In selecting bearings, since the shaft diameter is usually determined beforehand, the prospective bearing type is chosen based upon installation space, intended arrangement, and according to the bore diameter required.

Next, from the bearing specifications are determined the service life required when compared to that of the equipment in which it is used, along with a calculation of the actual service life from operational loads.

Internal specification including bearing accuracy, internal clearance, cage and lubricant are also selected, depending on the application.

Bearing Type, arrangement

Operating conditions to be considered

• Installation space
• Load magnitude, types and direction of application
• Rotational speed
• Running accuracy
• Rigidity
• Misalignment
• Mounting ease
• Bearing arrangement
• Noise characteristics, friction torque
• Marketability, cost performance

Other Data

• Comparison of performance of bearing types
• Example of bearing arrangement

Bearing Dimension

Operating conditions to be considered

• Specifications for installation
• Recommended service life
• Dynamic equivalent load
• Static equivalent load, safety coefficient
• Rotational speed

Other data

• Bearing boundary dimensions
• Basic dynamic load rating
• Basic static load rating
• Allowable axial load
  • For cylindrical roller bearing with rib

Tolerance Class

Operating conditions to be considered

• Running accuracy (runout)
• Noise characteristics, friction torque
• Rotational speed

Other data

• Bearing tolerances

Fit and internal clearance

Operating conditions to be considered

• Load magnitude, types
• Materials, size and tolerances of shaft and housing
• Operational temperature distribution
• Fit
• Difference in temperature of inner and outer rings
• Rotational speed
• Preload

Other data

• Bearing tolerances
• Bearing internal clearance

Cage type, material

Operating conditions to be considered

• Rotational speed
• Noise characteristics

Countermeasure for special environmental condition

Operating conditions to be considered

• Conditions of application site
  • Abnormal temperature, sea water, vacuum, chemical solution, dust, gas, magnetism
• Lubrication

Other data

• Special bearing materials
• Special heat treatment
  • Dimension stabilizing treatment
• Lubricant

Lubrication, lubricant, sealing device

Operating conditions to be considered

• Operating temperature
• Rotational speed
• Lubrication
• Sealing device

Other data

• Limiting speed
• Grease service life

Mounting and dismounting, mounting dimension

Operating conditions to be considered

• Mounting and dismounting

Other data

• Mounting dimensions

Help — I’ve fallen and can’t get up. 

Now that I’ve used the allotment of cliches where do I go from here.  Even the best of us run into brain blocks, and I’m no exception.  I have been doing research, and working hard learning the background information for the new website, www.bearingsinc.net that is soon to be launched.  I know “you’ve heard this all before”, but be assured that it is close to launch date, and it will change consistently once it is launched.  We want to make it better and easier for you to use. 

Right now, I have uploaded “most” of our Timken line; which is our biggest line.  This consists of both ball and roller bearings.  Ball bearings consisting of Angular contact, Wide inner ring, and Housed units. Roller bearings consisting of the Tapered Roller Bearings Cups, cones, and sets that Timken has always been famous for. 

I have also uploaded our Koyo Ball bearing line, which could offer some of the same parts as Timken.  We also have SKF-Chicago Rawhide currently uploaded which offers seals, and speedi sleeves.

In my plans, and my next uploading attempts consist of Koyo NEEDLE bearing line, and MBL (Mitsuboshi) belts.  These will cover quite a bit of items we can currently offer, but you need to watch the sight because once it’s launched, I will be configuring other databases to upload.  This way it will keep the sight changing, and interesting. 

New items = new choices = more options

While I’m not making any promises of a launch date; keep in touch and help us celebrate our launch when all of our hard work has finally come to an end.