Hello, it’s Morio. Spring is here, isn’t it? April is the season of new encounters. I hope everyone finds something good.

In our products, there are many things that play important roles but aren’t visible from the outside. Today, I’d like to talk about one of those things that plays a crucial role in our SPC50: “Bearings.”

Bearings are like the heart of a machine, quietly existing between the shaft and the housing (in SPC50, this corresponds to the frame box), supporting the revolving shaft, and cleverly distributing the heavy load. Plus, they reduce friction and prevent the waste of energy, making them a very eco-friendly presence.

There are various parts to bearings, but I’d particularly like to introduce the following four with all my heart:

• Balls (Rollers): Without these, we couldn’t even start. These small balls support the smooth rotation of the shaft.
• Inner Ring: This is the track on which the balls roll. Without it, the balls would just be round stones.
• Outer Ring: This, too, is a track for the balls to roll on. Along with the inner ring, it supports the stage for the balls.
• Shoulder: This is an important part that firmly keeps the balls from escaping their position.

In the rear part of the SPC50’s feed shafts, we use “Angular Contact Bearings.” These bearings have a special skill, being adept at handling loads parallel to the axis (thrust loads, or axial loads). The secret lies in the shape of the balls, the contact angle, and the design of the inner & outer rings and shoulders.

• Ball/Roller Shape: They are spherical. The technology to achieve true sphericity (which is difficult, I hear) and the smoothness of the surface are precisely designed and manufactured.
• Contact Angle: This refers to the angle formed at the contact point between the ball (or roller) inside the bearing and its track on the inner or outer ring, relative to the central line of the bearing’s width. The larger this angle, the higher the resistance to axial loads. In other words, the contact angle is a crucial factor in determining how well a bearing can support axial forces. In standard ball bearings, this contact angle is 0 degrees, meaning the ball and its track are in perfect parallel contact. In the case of angular contact bearings, there is an angle, which enhances the resistance to axial loads. The design of these elements, including the inner and outer rings and shoulders, effectively disperses the load, allowing for high precision positioning and high-speed rotation.

Furthermore, in the SPC50, by placing two in reverse positions, we not only strengthen the resistance to axial loads but also enhance resistance to loads perpendicular to the axis. This ensures that the shaft remains stable without moving forward and maintains its performance over time.

For those of us who make things, bearings are truly reliable partners. These small components exert a great force. Through our deep-dive technology blog, I hope we can discover new things together. Look forward to next time!

#This blog is made by generative AI from original text.