Ball bearings are machinery components, which comprise an outer ring, inner ring, balls, retainers, shields and snap rings. Miniature and "small bearings" mean ball bearing, up to 30mm in external diameter. Essential to high-precision rotary components, ball bearings determine rotational accuracy

Miniature ball bearings and miniature ball bearings are exceptionally crafted for use in a vast variety of areas. It’s specifically critical to acquire these bearings from very respected companies, such as NSK and Timken. If you don’t have a good quality product, then you are risking future dissapointment as your purchases are quite likely to fail. Natural weakening may be expected because of hard work, but amazingly, that is not often the case. Many times these types of bearings retire way too early!

First of all, raceways polluted with just a speck of dust can bring down tiny accuracy components. Therefore, close interest needs to be paid to the working environment. Clean, dust free workrooms and surfaces are crucial to guarantee miniature ball bearings have a long working life.

Exacting tolerances can only come with perfect machining. This is specially needed for miniatures. However, throughout manufacture, hundreds of thousands are run through in one batch and quality control constantly needs to be in effect to ensure a high quality standard is maintained throughout the processes. Unfortunately, small irregularities can result in parts being produced that have a inadequate fit and inaccurate tolerances. This can then result in blockages, overheating, and ultimate failure of the part. Early failure of a bearing can be prevented by mitiulously choosing suppliers and by physically examining the part for defects before use.

A proactive approach demands answers and then solutions as to why inconsistancies are apparent. Will a replacement fag bearing end up like the one that just failed? What would the remedy be?

The production of bearings demands that exact procedures be followed. For example, if even pressure is not applied to the inner and outer rings of the bearing, axial preloading could result, causing the balls to travel off centre around the raceway.  Thus, the radial ball bearings will be exposed to loads beyond their design and the unit will fail.

Badly designed applications and improper assembly can also precipitate axial loading. Examples of this might include computer operated engraving spindles or some varieties of fans. Simple automatic checks to affirm that the proper type of bearing is used and that the unit has had all the parts correctly fitted will actively avoid failures.

Other variables involved in failures include undue vibration, which places excessive stress on koyo bearing races, and either insufficient or excessive lubricant. Guidelines and experience also advise against switching between varying kinds of lubricants.