News from SMB Bearings

Precision agriculture: the hype around drone technology

Technology 02-07-2021

Not even the agriculture sector can escape the hype of drone technology. The European drones outlook study reports 150,000 agricultural drones will be used across European farms by 2035, undertaking tasks such as soil and field analysis, crop monitoring and spraying. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at EZO bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains the value of agricultural drones and advises on the importance of bearing selection for these devices.

How to care for your industrial bearings

Bearings 27-04-2021

Bearing maintenance practices are best understood when we first consider their primary purpose — to prevent premature bearing failure. For plant managers with extensive industrial equipment, the failure of these small components can have expensive knock-on effects. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explains three bearing maintenance essentials: handling, mounting and relubrication.

The myth surrounding hybrid ceramic bike bearings

Bearings 06-04-2021

Choosing the right bicycle bearings is an important decision for both competitive and leisurely cyclists. While many cyclists associate switching from steel to hybrid ceramic bearings as a performance upgrade, there is another party who simply believe hybrid ceramic bearings are based on clever marketing hype and a waste of money. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at bicycle bearings supplier SMB Bearings, explains the crucial difference between good quality hybrid ceramic bearings and cheap hybrid bearings.

The buzz around drones in the oil industry

Bearings 08-02-2021

A bee can travel over five miles and then remember its way home, despite possessing a brain the size of a pinhead. Scientists have been putting them in virtual reality simulators to help improve unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone technology. While the honey bee currently has the edge, drone technology is catching up. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at miniature bearings specialist SMB Bearings, explains the potential value of drones for maintenance inspection of oil pipelines and cooling towers.

What is radial play?

Bearings 29-01-2021

The humble bearing has many geometric factors such as radial play, axial play and the contact angle which are interlinked and must be carefully considered to ensure the optimal performance of the component. Here Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearings supplier, SMB Bearings explains what design engineers need to know about radial play.

Ultrasound for bearing inspection

Bearings 14-12-2020

Pierre Langevin patented the first technological application of ultrasound during World War One by inventing a device to detect submarines. Like Langevin, maintenance engineers and plant managers can also use ultrasound for detection. Either by itself or as a companion technology, ultrasound can be an excellent part of condition monitoring for your bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearings supplier SMB Bearings, provides an introduction into some of the benefits of this technology.

Riding the wave

Bearings 07-12-2020

Estimates show that wave power could supply ten per cent of the global demand for energy by the year 2050. If true, this would be a significant boost to a greener future, but currently, this renewable energy source is still in development. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of ceramic bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explains how bearings will be a key enabler of ocean power.

Can bearings contribute to a greener aerospace sector?

Bearings 07-12-2020

In September 2020, Airbus revealed three concepts for the world’s first zero-emission commercial aircraft which could enter service by 2035. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings explains how this grand reveal could spark new life in the bearing supply chain.

Bearing supply chains

Bearings 09-10-2020

It has become a cliché to say that the coronavirus pandemic is posing an unprecedented challenge to global supply chains. Bearings are vital to the effective functioning of so many applications that supply chain management cannot be neglected for those who rely on them. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearings supplier SMB Bearings, explains how best to ensure your supply chain deliver the bearings you need.

Do you know your ZZs from your 2RUs?

Bearings 15-09-2020

Knowing the suffix code for your preferred bearing closure may make you look like a bearing whizz. However, asking the right questions to ensure that you’ve selected the most suitable option for your specific application environment is the real smart move and will extend your bearing’s service life in the long run. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier, SMB Bearings, explains three questions you should ask when choosing between a bearing shield or seal.

Ultrasound bearing inspection

Technology 01-09-2020

Model maintenance

Bearings 13-08-2020

First-person view (FPV) drone racing is a competitive sport where participants pilot drones via a camera and a head-mounted live stream display. In such competitive races, winning can come down to the smallest of margins, so mechanical components must always perform optimally. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of miniature bearing specialist supplier SMB Bearings, advises on selecting and maintaining bearings for drones.