Long before the industrial revolution of the late 18th century, engineering and metal working had been practiced by skilled artisans and craftsmen. The industry was generally limited to individual or small family-owned businesses. The invention of efficient machine tools, including lathes, during the industrial revolution, opened up a world of possibilities for large scale manufacturing of precision parts for machines and other products.
Today, the machine tool industry continues to be a major driving force behind major industries such as automotive, aerospace and energy. The global advanced machine tool industry is estimated to be worth more than $90 billion by 2024.
One of the most important components of a machine tool is the precision bearing. The bearing is an essential component because it allows the mechanism to rotate or translate with minimal friction. The accuracy of the bearing contributes to the overall precision of the machine, hence a bearing with high precision features will lead to less downtime and improved production quality.
All machine tools require ball- and roller-bearings, whether they are metal working or wood working machines. Those used in metal working machines usually carry higher loads than what is required in wood working machines; therefore, they demand higher precision than the latter.
The industry-wide acceptance of the precision bearing as an integral part of machine tools has resulted in dedicated research and development within the bearing industry. The introduction of new materials and processes have allowed the development of precision bearings that require little or no maintenance and can perform the same function repeatedly with a high degree of accuracy.
Due to the nature of the materials used in the production of machine tools, such as steel, there is a need for precision bearings made from a similar type of material to ensure proper functioning of the machine. Therefore, bearings and related components for machine tools have to be carefully selected to fit the specific requirements of the application.
Furthermore, there has been increased demand for specialized bearings for machine tools due to the growing demand in various sectors where precision parts are required, such as robotics and automotive. In order to meet the requirements, the industry has adopted technologies such as ceramic bearings, hydro-static bearings, and other advanced bearing solutions.
A bearing is a major component of any machine, be it a wood-working machine or metal-working machine, and the bearing chosen must be able to handle the pressure and heat which is generated during operation. As mentioned above, higher precision bearings are now available with improved effectiveness and increased longevity, making them suitable for operation in challenging environments.
Today, the bearing industry is growing rapidly as more companies are making use of modern machine tools to produce precision parts. The demand for bearings for machine tools is expected to continue to grow in the future as economic conditions and opportunities for productivity improvements remain favorable.
