Ceramic balls

To overcome heat, vibration, and wear problems, tool builders can turn to ball screws and spindle bearings containing Cerbec ceramic balls. The ceramic balls are said to be lighter, harder, stiffer, and smoother than steel balls. Cerbec balls are corrosion resistant and experience lower thermal expansion. For ball screws, it means smooth, precise axis movement at linear speeds, more than 3,000 ipm, over 1-g acceleration, and longer life. In spindle bearings, the ceramic balls extend spindle life, lower operating temperatures, reduce vibration, and increase speeds.

Saint-Gobain Advanced Ceramics, 10 Airport Park Rd., East Granby, CT 06026, (800) 799-1457.