During World War II, ball bearing factories were important bombing targets. Military leaders knew that, without bearings, the machinery of war would literally grind to a halt. Today, ball bearings are no less important for keeping production machinery running smoothly.
A radial ball bearing consists of four main components: an inner ring, an outer ring, balls and a separator. In addition, a shield or seal can be installed on one or both sides of the bearing to protect the bearings from contamination.