Precision Ball Bearings
​
Offshore Stainless Supplies is a trusted supplier of high quality large diameter cold drawn stainless steel and nickel alloy bars to manufacturers of precision ball bearings. These ball bearings are critical components in a wide variety of applications, spanning multiple industries, including oil and gas, medical and transportation sectors.
​
With a deep understanding of the stringent demands placed on precision ball bearings, Offshore Stainless Supplies has played an essential role in ensuring that manufacturers receive materials of the highest standards to meet their performance and durability requirements.
​
​
​
​
Precision ball bearings are crucial for reducing friction, enabling smooth rotational or linear movement in machinery, and withstanding high loads in harsh environments. Therefore, manufacturers require materials that exhibit superior strength and corrosion resistance to endure extreme conditions, especially in industries like oil and gas.
​
The cold drawn bars must meet tight tolerances and high precision standards to ensure the accurate manufacture of ball bearings with exacting specifications. They are suitable for long-term durability and reliability, particularly in critical sectors where equipment failure could have serious consequences. So meeting these exacting standards was a primary challenge for our customer, as they required material that not only provided these properties but also supported efficient production processes without compromising on quality.
​
The customer requirement was for material to manufacture bearings that must handle high loads, resist corrosion and maintain precision in challenging environments, such as deep-sea drilling and high-temperature processes. The precision ball bearings were to be used in rotary tables and top drives which are essential components in drilling rigs used for oil and gas extraction.
​
A secondary requirement was for ball bearings to use in blowout preventers (BOPs), which are safety devices used to prevent uncontrolled releases of crude oil or natural gas during drilling. Large diameter precision ball bearings are crucial in the actuation systems of BOPs, ensuring reliable and precise movement of components that seal the wellbore in case of an emergency. The bearings in these applications must withstand heavy axial and radial loads, as well as harsh environments with exposure to mud, debris and high pressures.
​
Offshore Stainless Supplies worked closely with the customer to supply strain hardened bars with custom diameters and tight tolerances, ensuring the precision required for ball bearings. The cold drawing process significantly improved the mechanical properties of the bars, including their tensile strength and uniformity, making them ideal for producing high precision ball bearings. By specifying cold drawn bars, the manufacturer could also achieve reduced material waste, lower machining costs and higher production efficiency.
​
By providing consistent material quality, custom sizing and precise tolerances, Offshore Stainless Supplies continues to play a key role in the success of its customers, ensuring they can manufacture products that are both reliable and high performing in the most challenging environments.
