SKF is providing key components for the next generation Very Large Array (ngVLA), a $2 billion telescope system that aims to peer deeper into the universe than ever before.

NTN Bearing Corporation, the parent company of BCA Bearings and Bower Bearings, is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Ferris to the Automotive Aftermarket sales team. Ferris is joining NTN’s Automotive Aftermarket business unit as the regional sales manager for the Central Region. 

The ATR-V-60-60 Series (-01 thru -04) of Dual-axis Elevator-Rotary Stages has been released by Optimal Engineering Systems, Inc. (OES).  These compact, Elevator-Rotary Stages feature a high stability Elevator Stage with 120 mm x 80 mm table and 60 mm +/- 2 mm of vertical travel and a load capacity of 5.0 kg.   A 60 mm diameter Rotary Stages is mounted vertically.  The scissor lift design of the elevator stages combined with precision roller bearings and slide rails assures smooth motion and very high parallelism throughout the travel of the table. The rotary stages capable of continuous rotation feature high precision bearings and 90:1 worm gear.

Rolling bearing calculations are usually based on the assumption of ideal nominal geometries. However, actual components and assemblies are always subject to statically distributed geometric deviations resulting from the manufacturing and assembly processes. This leads to changes in the internal geometric conditions which have an effect on bearing characteristics such as the service life. The FVA-Workbench makes it possible for users to consider these geometric deviations in bearing calculations for more reliable results.

By definition, a spherical roller bearing (SRB) is a rolling element bearing that permits rotation with low friction and permits angular misalignment. SRBs consist of spherical rolling elements, an outer ring, a cage as well as an inner ring with two raceways inclined at an angle to the bearing axis. SRB technology has landed the component in unique applications including high pressure grinding rolls (HPGRs), pipelaying ships, Ferris wheels and even a Cold War–era marine espionage mission.

A new version of the MESYS shaft and rolling bearing analysis software including new functionality is available. The bearing analysis software allows the calculation of the load distribution within the bearing and bearing life according to ISO/TS 16281 and it is integrated in a shaft system calculation with additional possibilities like modal analysis, strength calculation for shafts and interfaces to gear calculations. Currently the software is used by customers in 31 countries on 4 continents. The new version is now available.

IKO is pleased to announce that Jeff Williams has joined the company as national distribution sales manager. Contributing to IKO's efforts to build and enhance relationships with valued customers, Williams will be based in Parsippany, NJ and will work closely with distributors and sales teams.

The Timken Company has acquired the assets of American Roller Bearing Company (ARB), a North Carolina-based manufacturer of industrial bearings. ARB's offerings join Timken's industry-leading portfolio of engineered bearing solutions. ARB, which boasts a large U.S. installed base and strong aftermarket business, generated sales of more than $30 million in 2022.

Next-generation technology—everything from the electrification of vehicles to e-motors, bearings, mechatronics, and thermal management—was discussed during the Schaeffler Symposium 2022 in Detroit. I sat down with Jitesh Modi, director of engineering, during the event to discuss the “reinvention” of bearings for EV applications.

NTN Bearing Corporation of America is honored to announce that effective December 31, Kevin Judge will retire from his role as brand ambassador for NTN’s Automotive Aftermarket business unit, formally ending his professional tenure with NTN.