Indian Skaters

jatin · Administrator Joined: 20 Jan 2007 Posts: 136

What is a Skate Bearing?
Skate wheels turn freely because of an anti-friction device called a bearing that is inserted between each wheel and axle. The type of bearing used in roller sports equipment is known as a "miniature deep groove ball bearing".

How do Skate Bearings Work?
Skate bearings reduce the friction between a moving skate wheel and a fixed, non-moving skate frame. Each skate wheel requires two bearings - one on each side. A bolt is threaded through the center of each bearing and wheel assembly to attach it to the skate frame. If you are using micro bearings, you might also need a special adaptor or "sleeve" to make the bearing fit nicely in your wheel.

What Are ABEC Bearings?
The ABEC scale is a system for rating the manufacturing tolerances of precision bearings. The system was developed by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee or Council (ABEC) of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). The American Bearing Manufacturers Association was formerly known as the Anti-Friction Bearing Manufacturers Association.

What Does ABEC Mean?
The ABEC scale is a system for rating the manufacturing tolerances of precision bearings. The system was developed by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee or Council (ABEC) of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). The American Bearing Manufacturers Association was formerly known as the Anti-Friction Bearing Manufacturers Association.

Bearings rated under the ABEC system are typically called "precision bearings", and they are rated with a number from 1 to 9, with the higher number assigned to bearings manufactured against a higher standard of precision (high number = tighter tolerances = more expensive bearing).

What Does Tolerance Mean?
Tolerance is the amount of variation from an absolute exact measurement that is permitted during the manufacturing process.

Other Bearing Rating Systems
ABEC is only one system for rating bearing tolerances. The International Standards Organization (ISO) and the German National Standards Organization (DIN) use similar scales to rate the precision of bearings. In the ISO and DIN systems, a smaller number means a tighter tolerance and a larger number means a looser tolerance. This is just the opposite of the ABEC system. See the following table for equivalents.

ABEC SYSTEM , ISO SYSTEM , DIN SYSTEM

Is ABEC Important for Skate Bearings?
Here are comments about ABEC bearings from bearing manufacturers and other experts, including NTN, Miniature Bearings, Zero Drag, the Southeastern Skate Supply, and others.

Who Makes the Best Bearings?
Bearings made in Switzerland have the best reputation, or at least those bearings labled as "Swiss Bearings". But note that not all Swiss bearings were actually made in Switzerland. Some importers and distributors use the term "Swiss Bearings" to describe a manufacturing style. You will sometimes see Swiss Bearings with "Made in Taiwan" (or another non-Swiss country) marked on the package. and of course someone Switzerland could always decide to make make low end bearings for the budget market. So read the package carefully and ask questions before you buy!

anaharsh · Respected Member Joined: 01 Dec 2009 Posts: 15

Hey Jatin thanks for this great info....
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Roller Skates