Barden has developed an expertise in developing bearings for the whole of the pump market sector(pic)

Barden has developed an expertise in developing bearings for the whole of the pump market sector. Using new materials and by adding value bearings can be designed to meet the harsh requirements of today?s high performance pump market. Some of the factors that make high precision bearings the first choice are high temperatures, high speeds, low vibration levels, abnormal contamination levels, poor lubrication, high reliability and long life. Among the areas of expertise in which Barden bearings are already proven as the solution provider are Turbo molecular pump bearings, dry pump bearings and emergency touch down bearings for magnetically supported pumps. Turbomolecular Pumps The most important requirements for a bearing used in this application are long reliable life, reliability and high-speed performance. To this end the use of x-life ultra bearings, ceramic balls, greased for life and special high quality raceway finishes has become the Barden standard. Dry Pump Bearings Whilst the speed requirements on the bearings for this type of application are often lower than usual other factors including, temperature, contamination and reliability mean that a special bearing is required to meet the application requirements. In addition adding value to the bearing so that it reduces assembly cost and reduces pump component count can bring extra benefits from special bearings. Emergency Touchdown / Auxiliary Bearings This special application area requires bearings that can withstand the harshest conditions. To successfully control a shaft on which the magnetic bearings have failed often requires a bearing that can accelerate from zero to 2.7 or higher ndm virtually instantaneously. In addition the bearing system must then control the rotor and the very high radial and axial loads and shock loads. Barden have developed bearings for this application using a full of ceramic ball design with Cronidur 30 material to give exceptional performance and corrosion resistance.