Specialist Bearing News

Grease or oil?

Bearings 22-07-2025

According to Siemens report The true cost of downtime, the annual cost of an idle production line at a major automotive facility has surged to $695 million â€” one and a half times higher than five years ago. In heavy industry, downtime now costs $59 million annually, a 1.6-fold increase since 2019. While bearing failures are relatively rare, improper lubrication remains a key contributor. Choosing between grease and oil isn't straightforward â€” it depends on factors such as speed, load, temperature, orientation, and contamination. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores the advantages and limitations of each lubrication method.

Understanding automotive bearings

Bearings 12-06-2025

A worn-out bearing might seem like a minor issue â€” until it leads to a seized wheel or a breakdown in fast-moving traffic. Bearings are critical to the smooth and reliable function of countless automotive components like wheel hubs and alternators. But when bearings fail â€” which often happens silently and gradually â€” the consequences can be serious. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, offers guidance on selecting the right bearings to keep vehicles safe, stable and roadworthy.

Sealed bearings for HVAC systems

Bearings 16-04-2025

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems arenâ€™t just essential to controlling temperatures and air quality inside buildings â€” they could contribute towards massive global savings. An â€˜Efficient cooling scenarioâ€™ proposed by the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that doubling the energy efficiency of air conditioning could reduce investment and running costs in these systems by nearly $3 trillion by 2050. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explains how one way to make HVAC systems more efficient is through the better use of advanced sealed bearings.

Should you opt for custom or off-the-shelf bearings?

Bearings 10-04-2025

The choice of bearings in machinery design significantly affects performance, durability and cost. Bearings are essential for reducing friction, supporting loads and allowing smooth operation of moving parts. With the rise in demand for highly specialised machinery and growing interest in custom manufacturing, engineers often face a critical decision â€” selecting custom bearings tailored to their application or opting for readily available off-the-shelf solutions. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, weighs up the advantages and disadvantages.

From friction to function

Bearings 03-03-2025

Noise and vibration in ball bearings threaten precision and safety in critical systems, costing manufacturers billions annually in maintenance and lost productivity. As demand from medical, aerospace and industrial sectors drives the USD 120.98 billion global bearings market towards a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5 per cent by 2030, tackling these challenges has never been more urgent. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist, SMB Bearings, explores the causes of noise and vibration and shares strategies to ensure optimal ball bearing performance in critical applications.

Precision fits

Bearings 27-02-2025

When evaluating bearing performance, material quality and lubrication typically take centre stage â€” a focus justified by BDS Bearingâ€™s findings that these factors, along with poor fitting, account for up to 70 per cent of bearing failure cases. Despite this, the critical role of precision fits â€” the exact interplay between a bearingâ€™s inner ring and shaft, or its outer ring and housing â€” are often overshadowed by other considerations. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, explores why precision fits demand greater attention from engineers and manufacturers.

The economic benefits of investing in high-quality bearings

Bearings 14-01-2025

The cost of unplanned downtime is staggering, with global estimates suggesting unplanned downtime costs manufacturers $50 billion annually. A critical yet often overlooked component in preventing such losses is the bearing â€” the small but vital part that keeps industrial operations running smoothly. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialist bearing supplier SMB Bearings, discusses the economic benefits of investing in high-quality bearings.

Ensuring sterility and precision in pharma

Bearings 15-10-2024

According to the Sedgwick 2023 State of the Nation Recall Index, 2022 saw a surge in drug recalls, with sterility failures topping the list for the first time in over six years. This trend continued into 2023, as with microbial and chemical contamination dominating recalls. In such a high-stakes environment, where even minor defects can lead to significant health risks, every component of the production line plays a crucial role in maintaining high standards. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at specialty bearing manufacturer, SMB Bearings, explains why bearings are essential to ensuring sterile and precise operations.

Bearing the weight of space

Bearings 29-08-2024

As NASA prepares its first Moon landing in nearly 50 years, the idea of colonising space inches closer. Projections suggest that commercial space travel, space tourism, orbital space stations and lunar habitats could become a reality by 2050. However, to make this possible, technology must withstand the harsh conditions of space including extreme temperatures and the demands of electric propulsion. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of SMB Bearings, discusses the essential role of precision bearings in making space habitation possible.

The future of farming

Bearings 15-07-2024

McKinsey & Company reports that fully autonomous orchards and vineyards in the US, â€œcan deliver more than $400 per acre per year in value, doubling to quadrupling returns on farmersâ€™ investment in automation.â€ Autonomous machinery promises increased efficiency and productivity. However, this shift also presents new challenges for component manufacturers â€” particularly those involved in the design and performance of bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director of bearing specialist SMB Bearings, discusses the unique demands autonomous agricultural equipment places on bearings.

Smart bearings support Industry 5.0

Bearings 18-06-2024

As industries align with the European Commission (EC)â€™s report Industry 5.0: Towards a Sustainable, Human-Centric and Resilient European Industry, predictive maintenance will be integral to Industry 5.0â€™s more sustainable, human-centric ethos. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings explains how, by preventing failures, reducing maintenance costs, and extending component lifespan, sensor-equipped bearings will be at the forefront of smart maintenance and supporting Industry 5.0 goals.

Why bearings will be essential to Agriculture 4.0

Bearings 03-04-2024

According to the European Commission (EC), â€œThe digitalisation of the European agricultural sector has the potential to revolutionise the industry, promoting efficiency, sustainability and competitivenessâ€. New technologies, including smart actuators and intelligent sensors will be vital to Agriculture 4.0 and â€˜precision agricultureâ€™. But a vital component in these technologies mustnâ€™t be overlooked: bearings. Here, Chris Johnson, managing director at SMB Bearings, explains how specialty bearings support smoother movement, reduced friction and a great precision on Agriculture 4.0 farms.