Sferax is a Swiss company that specialises in linear bearings manufacture. They produce a wide variety of different bearing types, including Metric ball bearings, Open ball bearings and Miniature ball bearings. Sferax also produces Compact ball bearings and bearings for rotating shafts in both stainless steel and other materials.

A Brief History of Sferax Linear Bearings Manufacture

The Sferax company was originally founded by Claude-André Bétrix back in 1962, before notable expansions in 1967 and 1980 brought the company closer to the globally renowned entity they are regarded as today. These days, not only do they continue to operate out of their main facility in Cortaillod in the west of Switzerland (in a building architecturally designed by Bétrix’s eldest daughter), but they also have subsidiary premises in Emmendingen, Germany.

Sferax Linear Bearing Product Specifications

The dynamic load of Sferax linear bearings is usually half of a static load, with the preload specifications depending on the application of the machinery they are being used with and the dimension they are intended to fit. In general, it can be anywhere between 0.002 and 0.02mm on the shaft diameter.

The maximum movement speed for the ‘Standard’ Sferax linear ball bearing is 5 m/s, with an acceleration of 100 m/s squared (150 m/s squared for the ‘Special’ Sferax linear ball bearings). It should also be noted that in the event of ball-bearing movement, there must be a reduction of the speed at the end of the stroke.

As the Sferax linear bearings feature a significant reduction in friction, this allows any heavy loads they are managing to be shifted longitudinally with a minimum expenditure of power and energy. This makes the Sferax linear ball bearings some of the most energy and power efficient bearings on the market, hence their popularity around the world.

The bearings do require lubrication, with there being a strong preference for thin-bodied oil during high speed applications. A lithium-based grease is recommended, but again the viscosity will be entirely dependent on how much speed is being applied in the process. If it is a slower paced application, then a thicker lube is fine, but the faster the process goes the thinner the lubricant needs to be to allow the bearings to operate at full functionality.

Sferax Linear Bearings Maintenance Advice

It’s imperative that the bearings are kept clean, so make use of rectified benzene and/or petroleum to ensure the cleanliness of the bearing is maintained. Another good piece of advice regarding keeping the bearings clean is to use compressed air, either in a canister or other source. This allows you to blast the hard to reach areas clean without causing them any unnecessary wear and tear.