AN ETERNITY OF INNOVATIONS

A small step back to show the madness of innovation in the world of bearings

Since the invention in the fifteenth century of what we know today as the "ball bearing", countless innovations have emerged. Indeed, this simple yet complicated mechanical element at a time is the subject of thousands of internet searches each year. It is difficult enough to follow the evolution of this growing market, and to also realize that on many industrial fairs, manufacturers, large or small, have their ideas of innovations to introduce. It is difficult to estimate the number of students, engineers and professionals who work daily to improve the product that we all use every day without necessarily realizing it. Dozens, hundreds even of thousands of people?

However the important thing is the many improvements to this common product is all progress and allows better performances at more effective costs. Materials, behaviour, profiles and processes are certainly the most studied areas. We now see integrated measurement units, surface treatments that improve the durability and friction, dry lubrication and solutions in polymers or ceramic.

The ecology and current development prove to be at the centre of influential research in the field of bearings. Tribological studies (science of friction), can improve contact and friction in the bearing and so reduce energy needs or losses due to friction in the system.

This constant innovation is essential in a highly competitive market, when we know that the ball bearing market is expected to reach a total value of $101 billion in 2018, we can understand why the need for differentiation and product performance is so important. Everyone wants a piece of this huge cake. But we are certain that passion also plays a leading role in this continuous search for improvement.

This blog is a multifaceted one, that makes this area so interesting and continually at the forefront of technology. The use of bearing in the world's most innovative instruments and machines is also pushing its development towards centre stage.

We look forward to see future innovations both the daring and the foolish...

To be continued...

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10 reasons to admire Ball Bearings

1- Precision

Precision is certainly one of the finest aspects of mechanics in general. However, precision ball bearings are highest on the list among watch makers, machine tools and aerospace. Tolerances of less than one micron (one millimeter divided by 1,000, or 0.001 mm) are not uncommon in the industry of ball bearings, which shows high precision required and the need to stay ahead of technology in order not
to fall behind the market expectations.

2- Varieties

Hundreds of bearing varieties exist: radial, axial, angular contact, double ball races, to 4 points of contact, ball, roller, needle, ceramic, titanium, stainless steel, etc., etc. … This wide range of variety makes this area attractive and interesting, especially as bearing applications in the industry are numerous and innovations are sought by end users.

3- Aesthetic

The designs and colors are more subjective things. Nevertheless there are some signs that do not lie. If ball bearings were placed in a permanent exhibition at MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York, which is a reference for many artists and art lovers, we are sure that the general public would see bearings are actually beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Some see mechanical components as art, that’s what makes all the difference.

4- Functionality

In practice, the ball bearing does not only allow to create a rotational motion. It is also the component that takes axial and radial loads, which may include speed sensors, absorbing the alignment errors in systems, or electrically / thermally isolates the components and reduces maintenance … Whoever has several strings to his bow is admirable, and this is the case with bearings.

5- Adaptability

Of course types of standard ball bearings are numerous, but these dimensions do not always meet to the
application and their various needs. This is why there are small and medium manufacturers of tailored ball bearing solutions to meet the most innovative and craziest needs of different industries such as medical, building technology, automotive and consumer goods. This is where creativity comes to
the aid of engineering, the result will often provide great tips and problem solving. The design of a ball bearing is important, but to go further, some manufacturers offer a combination of steel bearings and a plastic coating for even more choice of shapes and performance with component weight reduction.

6- Technologies

Having said the above, the element of evolution and innovation are two important aspects of the solution. Thanks to this research of innovation and continuous improvement with anything related to
ball Jesa can offer this. Design and calculations softwares are becoming more sophisticated and accurately simulate applications in of static and dynamic modes.

Manufacturing machines are modernized and are, therefore, more capable, interactive and interesting for operators and users. You can conclude that if the final product must be of good quality and cutting edge technology, process relating thereto must be the same.

7- Competition

Competition is good and healthy, as in sport, it pulls us forward and allows us all to improve. What is true in sports is also true in the world of ball bearings. There are hundreds or thousands of ball bearings manufacturers on the planet and this abundance creates a competition between different players in this field. And competition means constant need to improve for the sake of differentiation, and to stay ahead. Most bearing manufacturers scramble to find new solutions to offer to consumers, it is here somehow that competition lead to the high-tech side!

8- Omnipresence / Ubiquity

If these 10 reasons in this article do not fill you in awe by this small (or large) mechanical component that is the ball bearing, it is a fact. But it is impossible to avoid in the bearing in everyday life because it is everywhere. During a day, it is not surprising to come across more than 100 ball bearings in your daily life. When you get up in the morning and open the sliding door of your dressing room, when you use your coffee machine, when you take the elevator, when you open your garage door when you take your car or bike to work … at each stage you will be using ball bearings. So you can ignore them, but cannot do without them. This dependence can seduce and make this component admired by its necessity.

9- History

The story of the creation of ball bearings goes back to the oldest. The first traces of the principles of rotation appear back to the time of the Egyptians, they were moving large blocks of stone for the manufacture of the pyramids on round wooden logs. Through this principle they could reduce friction, increase the speed of movement of these blocks and importantly alleviate the arduous tasks that were theirs.

Then, during the fifteenth century, Leonardo da Vinci discovered the principle of rotation. He made the first sketches of a ball bearing and realized that the friction would be reduced if the rolling elements (balls) did not touch them. Thanks to Mr. Da Vinci, we discovered the principle of ball cages in ball bearings. This concept was reviewed in the eighteenth century in connection with the manufacture of a
carriage ride through the English who finally lodged a patent on this principle. Here are a few lines of the seductive story of the discovery of the concept of rotation, one more argument in favor of the ball bearing: The Great Leonardo da Vinci

Premier croquis de roulement à billes de Léonardo Da Vinci

10- Economy

The ball bearing industry in 2010 represented an aggregate market value of more than 40 billion U.S. dollars. This is not insignificant. The economic aspect is also an important aspect of the ball bearing as it represents thousands of jobs worldwide, and this fact imposes some respect. The bearings also contribute to the green movement by offering still less friction and therefore less energy consumption. A good point to end this list of “10 things” that demonstrate the admiration of the industry and this mechanical component : Ecology.

We love bearings………………………………………………………………………..

Ball bearings video > 1’000 views – 1’000 Thank you

Stay tuned for the next video … but about what?

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Ball bearings and sports : Motorsports

Sport of the week : Motorsports.

First of all, we can list the motorsport that exist. There is two main categories:

Motor racing

• Auto (car) racing
• Motorcycle racing
• Air racing
• Boat racing
• Snowmobile racing
• Hovercraft racing
• Truck racing
• Lawn mower racing

Non-racing motorsport

Forms of motorsport which do not involve racing include:

• drifting
• motorcycle trials
• freestyle motocross
• tractor pulling

Our goal is to list the sports and applications using ball bearings, therefore we will not develop individualy each motorsport. This is because we do not teach you great things by saying that in each vehicle or equipment used in motor sports are ball bearings. These areas are areas of high precision and high performance where the lifetimes do not exceed a few hours sometimes (for instance in Formula 1). But reliability is above all the most important point. That would be a shame to give up a run for a defective bearing …

In the 90s, JESA sponsored a race car throughout the season.

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Ball bearings & sport : Fitness

Although some do not consider fitness as an official sport but only as an annex training method for other sports, some peoples practice regularly and as a single sport. This is why we also wanted to write about fitness.

For example in a gym, we find hundreds of bearings (ball bearings, roller bearings and needle). Indeed, we find bearings in the elements like the the pulley connecting the machine to the weights and in linear guides such as in the rowers. Training bikes are also full of ball bearings.

Fitness machines who bearings are built into!

Have a great and sportly week-end!

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