Ball bearings are small metal or ceramic balls used to reduce friction in various applications. They were first patented in 1791 by Philip Vaughan and have since been used in manufacturing and machines. They allow for both rotary and axial motion and are perfectly round and smooth. Making them involves using machines to remove flashing and add lubricant and abrasives for precision sizing and polishing.
Ball bearings, also known as anti-friction bearings, are small metal or ceramic balls used to reduce friction between shafts and axles in a variety of applications. They are often used in series to absorb weight placed on a moving part, or in single cages to reduce friction in axle assemblies. Most are manufactured to meet very stringent roundness standards, as any deformation can cause moving parts to fail unexpectedly.
The concept of ball bearings can be traced back to the Roman Empire, but many sources credit Leonardo da Vinci with the first practical designs. It wasn’t until 1791, however, when a Welsh coachbuilder and inventor named Philip Vaughan patented the first set of axles to use them. Previous bogie axles would eventually wear out from the effects of friction, but Vaughan’s use of ball bearings eliminated direct contact between the drive shaft and axle.
After their first use in drive shafts, factory engineers found other applications in the manufacturing arena. Individual parts can be moved easily on ramps equipped with these bearings. Motor machines have become more efficient as they have reduced the friction between parts. Unlike other types of bearings, ball bearings allow for both rotary and axial motion, which has added versatility to the machine design.
One of the most common examples of ball bearings in action is the roller skate. Four wheels are attached to two axles on the bottom of a boot. Closer inspection of these wheels reveals a collection of small metal balls surrounding the axle. As the skater puts all of his weight on the wheels, each ball temporarily absorbs the load. As the skater pushes forward, they roll along a track around the axis. Because ball bearings are perfectly round and smooth, the friction generated between them is minimal. They allow the skater to move in a straight line with little resistance.
Making ball bearings is surprisingly similar to making dough balls. A supply of wire of approximately the same diameter as the bearings is placed in a machine with two plates designed as hemispheres. When the two halves are forcefully brought together, a rough metal ball is formed. The problem is that there are still some additional metal shards left called flashing. The balls are then placed in another machine which deburrs them to create a perfect roundness.
This second machine consists of two grooved plates, one with an open notch to receive the ball bearings. As this machine fills with unfinished balls, the top grooved plate begins to rotate in different directions on the stationary bottom plate. This action is similar to a chef using his hands to form balls of dough. The first pass through this machine removes the flashing and helps the pads become fairly uniform in size.
A second pass through the same machine adds a liquid lubricant and abrasives to the mix. Ball bearings are reduced to a precise size by the action of abrasives. Once the balls have reached an acceptable size and uniformity, a third run uses a polishing agent to give them a friction-reducing shine. All bearings undergo a final inspection for imperfections before being approved for use in other applications.
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