Schatz Aerospace Bearings

Custom Thin Section Bearings vs. Standard Products

Schatz Bearing — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:44:50 +0000

Custom thin section bearings are designed to meet application-specific requirements in tight spaces and hard-to-reach places. Like standard thin section bearings, these custom bearings maintain a constant cross section as the bore size increases. However, a custom thin section bearing differs because it includes modifications such as non-standard dimensions, special raceway geometries, alternative materials, custom lubrication systems, special coatings, or other customized features.

For example, custom thin section bearings can have non-standard dimensions for bore, width, or cross-sectional thickness. Alternatively, these custom bearings may use special raceway geometries for unique load paths or non-standard materials for weight reduction. Special coatings and surface treatments can provide enhanced wear resistance, and custom lubrication features are available for extreme-temperature environments. Customized features also include integrated seals.

Why Choose a Custom Thin Section Bearing Instead of a Standard Product?

Engineers often specify custom thin section bearings to address space and weight constraints, optimize performance, or withstand harsh environments. For example, these bearings allow engineers to reduce mass and rotational inertia while maintaining load capacity and stiffness. Depending on the design and manufacturing, a custom bearing can also withstand vacuum conditions, radiation, corrosive chemicals, or extreme temperature cycling.

Custom bearings may have higher initial costs; however, they can lower total system costs over time. For example, by minimizing space and weight, they can help reduce material costs and machining expenses in mating structures. Enhanced durability and precision motion control can reduce the need for maintenance and improve overall reliability. Custom thin section bearings that include added functionality, such as integral seals, can reduce part counts and speed assembly times.

Who Makes These Custom Bearings?

Schatz Bearing Corporation makes custom bearings, including customized thin section bearings. Schatz also manufactures eight series of standard thin section bearings with angular (A-type), radial (C-type), or four-point (X-type) contact for bores up to 12”. These standard bearings are available in different cross-sectional dimensions and ABEC 1F, 3F, 5F, or 7 tolerances. Schatz also offers low minimum order quantities (MOQs), and our products are proudly Made in USA.

Schatz is AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 certified, and our thin section bearings have supported demanding projects like NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover Mission. On the surface of Mars, two duplex-sets of thin section bearings were used in an articulating arm application. Thin section bearings from Schatz are also used aboard military and civilian aircraft in flight control systems, landing gear, engine accessories, and sensor positioning systems.

Do you need a custom bearing, or could you use a standard product instead? Contact us to discuss your application or request a quote today.

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Case Study: Angular Contact Ball Bearings for Control Surface Actuators

Steve Melito — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 17:39:37 +0000

Engineers who design control surface actuators need angular contact bearings from Schatz.

Control surfaces affect the range and maneuverability of guided projectiles like smart bombs, decoys, and missiles. The actuators that adjust these movable surfaces need to support precise flight patterns and highly accurate targeting. If control surface actuators can’t produce enough torque to overcome aerodynamic forces during flight, projectile performance suffers.

Design Requirements for Control Surface Actuators

Engineers who design control surface actuators need to meet torque output and load capacity requirements while minimizing component weight and ensuring long service life. They also need angular contact ball bearings that enable smooth, precise motion by reducing friction and supporting both radial and axial loads.

Schatz Bearing of Poughkeepsie, New York designs and manufactures angular contact bearings, including thin section bearings, that support optimized mechanical designs. As an ITAR registered, Made in USA manufacturer with an AS9100D certified quality management system (QMS), Schatz is the name you can trust for both military and civilian applications.

Made in USA Angular Contact Bearings

For control surface actuators, Schatz designs and manufactures angular contact bearings using a variety of materials and coatings. Engineers who partner with Schatz can source angular contact bearings for actuator designs that minimize weight and breakaway torque while meeting load capacity and service life requirements.

Whether you need angular contact products with a single row or double row configuration, Schatz offers precision ball bearings that are produced to demanding ABEC tolerances.

Ask Schatz for Angular Contact Bearings

Contact Schatz for more information and discover the difference that working with a flexible and responsive supplier can make. Along with no minimum order quantities and short prototype lead times, you’ll enjoy our world-class design capabilities. Schatz partners with defense contractors and aerospace companies, and we’re the recipient of numerous Boeing Performance Excellence Awards.

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Custom Bearing Manufacturer with Low Volumes and Fast Turnarounds

Steve Melito — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:07:11 +0000

Are you looking for a custom bearing manufacturer? Many larger companies won’t offer custom products unless you’re placing a large order. That’s not the case with Schatz Bearing, where we design and manufacture custom bearings in low volumes. Working with Schatz also means you’ll enjoy the benefits of fast turnarounds, AS9100 and ISO 9001:2015 quality, Made in USA manufacturing, and exceptional engineering expertise.

Keep reading to learn more and contact us for a quote. Schatz supplies custom bearings to industries that include aerospace, military and defense, medical devices and equipment, and semiconductor manufacturing. We offer sizes up to 14” OD (outer diameter), tolerances up to ABEC 7 ratings, and a variety of retainer and closure options. Custom bearing materials include 52100, 440C, BG42, M50, and high nitrogen stainless steel.

What are Custom Bearings?

Schatz designs and manufactures custom versions of the many standard products you’ll find in our catalog. We can also provide you with low volumes of custom bearings that use new configurations for application-specific conditions. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to customize one of our existing designs for dimensional, load, material, or performance specifications, Schatz has the flexibility, versatility, and responsiveness you need for smaller, custom jobs.

For example, maybe you need a stainless-steel bearing with a non-standard raceway geometry, a custom lubrication package, or a hybrid design that incorporate ceramic balls. Alternatively, you might need a custom bearing with extremely tight tolerances for gimbal applications, or a precision bearing that can fit into a space-constrained assembly. Whether the customization is simple or complex, our engineering team is ready to support you from concept through delivery.

Engineering Is the Difference

As a custom bearing manufacturer, Schatz’ engineering team is part of what makes us different. Here at our Poughkeepsie, New York (USA) headquarters, we employ highly-skilled engineers with deep experience in bearing design, manufacturing, and performance analysis. Their expertise allows us to quickly assess your application requirements, offer design guidance, run simulations, turn ideas into drawings, and turn drawings into deliverables.

From prototyping through production, Schatz offers small lots of custom products. We can design and manufacture custom bearings for demanding applications, especially challenging operating environments with heavy loads or shock loads, torque sensitive mechanisms, requirements for high precision and accuracy, and contaminated or corrosive environments. Custom bearings from Schatz can also incorporate features such as special internal components.

Choose a Custom Bearing Manufacturer That Does More

When speed matters, Schatz delivers. Thanks to our in-house design, machining, and assembly capabilities, we offer short lead times even on custom work. Whether you’re prototyping a new device or solving a specific field issue, Schatz is the custom bearing manufacturer with the right solution – and without long delays. Plus, we offer DFARS compliant options for most custom bearing designs.

At Schatz, we offer low minimum order quantities (MOQs) and remain highly responsive to customer needs. In an industry where too many suppliers are slow to respond unless the order is large, Schatz offers a much-needed alternative. Our custom bearing program is built around flexibility, engineering know-how, and a genuine commitment to helping you succeed—regardless of order size. To learn more, contact us.

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Schatz Bearing Passes AS9100 Certification Audit

Steve Melito — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 12:53:38 +0000

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (USA) – June 25, 2025 – Schatz Bearing, a leading supplier of aerospace bearings, has passed its most recent AS9100 certification audit with no findings. Schatz designs and manufactures precision bearings for military and civilian customers, including Boeing, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Schatz achieved its original AS9100D certification in 2019 and passed its first certification audit in 2022.

AS9100 certification audits are formal assessments performed by an accredited third-party registrar to determine whether a company’s aerospace quality management system (QMS) meets the requirements of the AS9100 standard. AS9100 builds upon ISO 9001 and is an internationally recognized standard that was developed specifically for the aerospace, aviation, and defense industries. AS9100 audits with no findings indicate an absence of QMS nonconformities.

In passing its most recent AS9100 certification audit, Schatz remains approved for the design and manufacture of bearings to the aerospace and defense industries. In addition, the company has received numerous Boeing Performance Excellence Awards and enjoys Boeing’s premier bidder status. Thin section bearings from Schatz were part of NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover, and the company’s airframe, precision, thin section and custom bearings are used on both military and civilian aircraft.

“An AS9100 certification audit isn’t just about compliance,” said Steve Pomeroy, President of Schatz Bearing. “It’s about demonstrating reliability, consistency, and a commitment to continuous improvement in one of the world’s most demanding industries.”

About Schatz Bearing

Schatz Bearing designs and manufactures high-performance bearings for aerospace, defense, and other demanding industries. All our products are made in our AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Poughkeepsie, New York (USA). Schatz is ITAR registered.

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How to Avoid Tariffs on Precision Ball Bearings

Steve Melito — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:24:13 +0000

Tariffs are increasing the cost of internally-sourced parts, including ball bearings. For example, if you’re a U.S. company that’s buying aerospace bearings from overseas, your costs have probably increased because of the tariffs on imports

There are other costs to consider as well. Today, China owns or operates nearly 20% of the world’s shipping fleet. These vessels are subject to U.S. port fees, and many of America’s largest ports are facing congestion issues because of outdated infrastructure, labor shortages, and increased demand. Late shipments could cost your company opportunities and put existing projects at risk.

Troubled by Tariffs?

Schatz Bearing of Poughkeepsie, New York can help U.S. companies avoid tariffs on precision ball bearings. We can also help you reduce shipping costs and supply chain risks. As a Made in America manufacturer, Schatz can provide you with a more stable and cost-effective source of aerospace, precision, thin section, angular contact, and custom bearings.

Whether you need standard or custom products, Schatz is flexible and responsive. Along with Made in USA manufacturing, we offer world-class design capabilities, short prototype lead times, and no minimum order quantities. We have numerous OEM and MS approvals and are ITAR registered. In addition, Schatz is both ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified.

Secure Your Supply Chain

Manufacturers who order ball bearings from Schatz like our customer-centric approach. Typically, we can respond to your needs more quickly than large bearing manufacturers with complex organizations. U.S. distributors who buy and stock our products also benefit from working with us. Check out our product catalog to see what we make.

Today’s tariffs might not last, but the uncertainty that U.S. manufacturers and distributors are facing isn’t good for business. Strengthen your supply chain for precision ball bearings and contact Schatz for solutions that are proudly Made in the USA.

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How to Choose an Aerospace Bearing Manufacturer

Steve Melito — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:02:49 +0000

Choosing an aerospace bearing manufacturer begins with an assessment of your requirements. For example, do you need custom bearings or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standard part numbers? What are the quantities you need and the lead times you’ll accept? An AS9100 quality system, Made in USA manufacturing, and a track record of success are also key considerations.

Schatz Bearing Corporation of Poughkeepsie, New York (USA) develops, analyzes, designs, manufactures, and tests aerospace bearings for commercial and military use. Our products are approved to thousands of Boeing and MIL-SPEC standards, and we can modify our standard
bearings based on your application-specific requirements.

Keep reading to learn more and then contact Schatz for a quote.

Order Quantities

Minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of products that an aerospace bearing manufacturer will provide. Unfortunately, many suppliers set their MOQs so high that you might have to buy more than you need. That ties up cash and increases inventory levels. Unlike our competitors, Schatz doesn’t have MOQs. Whether you need prototypes, small lots, or high volumes, we deliver.

Lead Times

How long will you have to wait for your order? When there’s a sharp rise in market demand, some of our competitors can’t seem to keep up. In fact, we’ve seen them extend their lead times to well over a year with little or no advance notice. That’s not the case at Schatz. Organizationally, we’re structured for flexibility.

We have the right equipment and personnel in place, and we’re the go-to source for expedited aircraft bearings. For decades, our lead times have had much less variation than our competition. If you need a stable and reliable supplier during the inevitable ups and downs of the aerospace industry, Schatz Bearing is here to support you with consistency.

AS9100 Quality

Quality is about more than making a good product. It’s about making a product that meets requirements. An AS9100D certified supplier has a quality management system (QMS) that enables it to meet these requirements while providing documentation for traceability. Schatz is AS9100D certified, and we’ve been a Boeing Performance Excellence Award winner for many years.

Made in USA Manufacturing

Long before the threat of tariffs, U.S. companies began reshoring their supply chains. An overseas aerospace bearing manufacturer might
seem cost-effective, but the Reshoring Initiative reports that there’s “a 20 to 30 percent miscalculation of actual offshoring costs. Schatz is a Made in USA manufacturer that can help you secure your supply chain.

Track Record of Success

True aerospace bearings require a greater degree of precision than you’ll find in many industrial applications. That’s why when it’s
mission-critical, OEMs that supply NASA and the U.S. military ask for Schatz. Our space bearings have been used in satellites such as
the James Webb, on the Mars Rover, and in missiles that exit and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Make Schatz Your Aerospace Bearing Manufacturer

Schatz is an aerospace bearing manufacturer with a long and successful history. We take pride in our customer-centric approach, and our size lets us respond to your needs faster than large companies with complex organizations. For no minimum order quantities, shorter lead times, AS9100 quality, Made in USA manufacturing, and a track record of success, contact Schatz.

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Super Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Steve Melito — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 21:44:15 +0000

Learn about super duplex angular contact ball bearings from Schatz, a Made in USA bearing manufacturer that is ITAR certified and has an AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 certified facility.

A super duplex angular contact ball bearing is a high-performance bearing designed for applications that require high positional accuracy and low torque. It is a design enhancement over a simple duplex angular contact ball bearing.

Schatz designs and manufactures these high-performance products in Poughkeepsie, New York (USA). Keep reading to learn more, and contact us for all of the angular contact bearings and custom bearings you need.

Configurations for Super Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings

These bearings can use either a face-to-face configuration or a back-to-back configuration. In both configurations, the bearing races set an internal preload.

Face-to-Face Configuration

In a face-to-face configuration, there are two outer rings and one inner ring. The inner ring has two raceways which are precision ground in the same manufacturing process to optimize race-to-race runouts and size variation.

Back-to-Back-Configuration

In a back-to-back configuration, there are two inner rings and one outer ring. The outer ring has two raceways which are precision ground in the same manufacturing process to optimize race to race runouts and size variation.

Bearing Races

The bearing races are precision preload ground to have a gap which closes at a predetermined axial force. This sets an internal preload into the bearing, which produces a high bearing stiffness in all axes while still maintaining low frictional torque.

Applications for Super Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings

These ball bearings are predominantly used in the aerospace and military and defense industries. They also find use in high-speed machinery and heavy-duty equipment.

Advantages Over Simple Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings Sets

Super duplex angular contact ball bearings are preferred over simple duplex angular contact ball bearings for three main reasons: ease of assembly, accuracy, and friction.

Ease of Assembly

Due to the integral nature of the two raceways, super duplex angular contact ball bearings cannot inadvertently be installed in the wrong orientation. This is a common problem for simple duplex angular contact ball bearings and can lead to system failure.

Accuracy

Super duplex angular contact ball bearings are manufactured using precision manufacturing processes for tighter race to race runouts. This offers more consistent bearing accuracy.

Friction

Due to the tighter race to race runouts, they provide less torque variation.

Choose Super Duplex Angular Contact Ball Bearings from Schatz

Super duplex angular contact ball bearings offer a leap in performance by incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques to achieve exceptional levels of performance and reliability. For Made in USA bearings in lower minimum order quantities and shorter lead times than the competition, choose Schatz.

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Schatz Releases Four New Videos about Thin Section Bearings

Steve Melito — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 16:41:38 +0000

Schatz Bearing Corporation has uploaded four new videos about thin section ball bearings to its YouTube channel. The videos are also available on the U.S. bearing manufacturer’s Thin Section Bearings page, which contains sections about product categories, specifications, applications, frequently asked questions, technical articles, and engineering resources. This informational page also includes thin section bearing case studies about the Mars Rover and aerospace gimbals.

Curtis Swartley, Engineering Manager at Schatz Bearing, shares his technical knowledge in the new videos. Swartley is a bearing industry professional with over 15 years’ experience. At Schatz, he is actively engaged in all aspects of precision ball bearing, roller bearing, and lined bearing production, including design, analysis, and qualification testing. Schatz Bearing Corporation is AS9100D certified, and thin section bearings are used in many aerospace applications.

YouTube Videos

Schatz’s new videos are each approximately one-minute in length and designed to provide a quick overview for engineers who are comparing bearing types and vendors.

What are Thin Section Bearings? explains what makes thin section bearings different from other type of bearings.
Why Use Thin Section Bearings? covers key design requirements such as weight reduction and system compactness.
What are the Advantages of Thin Section Bearings? examines considerations ranging from internal geometry to lower friction.
What are the Disadvantages of Thin Section Bearings? looks at tradeoffs such as reduced load capacity and thermal variations.

White Paper

Visitors to the Thin Section Bearings page on the Schatz website can also download a white paper called “System Integration of Thin Ball Bearings”. This free resource is available to qualified professionals and provides a detailed methodology for determining the change in internal clearance of thin section ball bearings due to fit up. This methodology can be used for all ball bearings series, particularly the torque tube ball bearing series. Contact Schatz for more information.

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Thin Section Bearing Distortion

Steve Melito — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:10:38 +0000

Within a series of thin section bearings, the size of the cross-section remains the same even when the bore size increases. This makes thin section bearings a good choice for applications where space is limited or weight savings is important. However, the thinness of a bearing’s cross-section will result in distortion.

Cross-Sectional Rigidity and Bearing Performance

When a thin section bearing is rigidly supported, cross-sectional rigidity won’t affect performance. But that’s not the case if a bearing is mounted improperly or if its races aren’t supported uniformly. If the fit that’s required for radial support isn’t rigid enough, thin section bearings are more sensitive to deflection under thrust or moment loading. This includes distortions from housings and shafts.

Outer Ring to Housing Fit Up

The interference fit between an outer ring and a housing will deform the outer ring inwards and the housing outward. When hoop stress is imparted, there are different stiffness values for each component. Consequently, they will deform differently as a function of the interference pressure. The total interference fit can be calculated by adding the outer ring and housing deflections together.

Shaft to Inner Ring Fit Up

The interference fit between an inner ring and a shaft will deform the shaft inward and the inner ring outward. This is similar to the outer ring to housing fit up but with an important difference. With shaft to inner ring fit up, internal bearing reactions generate an external pressure on the inner ring. Shaft deflection can be calculated as a function of the shaft geometry, material properties, and external pressure.

Get the System Integration of Thin Section Ball Bearings White Paper

Thin section bearings have applications ranging from robots and rotary indexing tables to textile machines, printing presses, and machine tools. They’re also used in X-ray scanners, helicopter rotors, and gun turrets. Although thin section bearings offer important advantages, they are more affected by the system around them than other bearings. To learn how to account for this, request this white paper from Schatz.

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How to Get the Best Ball Bearings

Steve Melito — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:48:54 +0000

Getting the best ball bearings involves asking and answering a series of questions. This Q&A from Schatz Bearing, a leading provider of precision ball bearings, can get you started.

What is the application?

The best ball bearings are used in applications ranging from aerospace, space, and defense to medical and semiconductor equipment. There are many different types of bearings, and the type of product that’s used with a ceiling fan doesn’t have the same degree of precision as a bearing used in a jet engine.

What is the speed at which the bearings will operate?

Bearing speed is typically measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). If your application exceeds the RPMs for which a bearing is rated, excessive heat from friction could result in premature wear or failure. For bearings with contact seals, the limiting speed usually determines their maximum operational capacity.

Do you need bearings for full rotation or oscillation?

Oscillating bearings wear differently than rotational bearings. That’s because their repeated back-and-forth movements can evacuate the grease in raceways. In high-speed applications, lubrication is especially important to avoid metal-to-metal contact.

What are the loading conditions?

Ball bearing loading conditions include radial, axial (thrust), and moment loads. Radial loads are perpendicular to the axis of the shaft, parallel to the bearing’s radius. Axial loads or thrust loads act parallel to the axis of the shaft. Moment loads attempt to rotate bearing rings perpendicular to the rotational axis.

What is the bearing configuration?

A bearing configuration, or arrangement, supports and locates a shaft relative to other components, such as housings. There are many configurations that can be used in a given application, such as radial, single-row, double-row, self-aligning, and angular contact bearings. Angular contact bearings can be arranged to operate as pairs. There are four main angular contact bearing configurations: face-to-face or double-face(DF), back-to-back or double-back (DB), tandem or duplex tandem (DT), and universal.

What is the bearing material?

Ball bearing material options include SAE 52100, 440C, and 440C modified steel. EMS138 stainless steel offers very good corrosion resistance and excellent wear resistance. M50 is an aerospace bearing material with excellent fatigue resistance. Hybrid bearings with steel rings and ceramic balls are also available.

What is the operating environment?

The operating environment includes both the ambient temperature and the range of operating temperatures, or service temperatures. It’s also worth considering whether the environment is clean or dirty since the presence of dust or particulate matter could affect bearing lubrication.

What is the life expectancy?

Bearing life expectancy is the amount of time that a ball bearing can be expected to perform as required under pre-determined operating conditions. Primarily, it’s based on the number of rotations a bearing can complete before it begins to show spalling, stress cracking, or other symptoms of fatigue.

What is the estimated annual usage?

Estimated annual usage (EAU) refers to the number of bearings that you plan to buy in a year. Bearing manufacturers ask for this information so that they can plan their production schedules, inventory levels, and budgets.

How long will the program last?

Program life is related to EAU, but typically lasts for multiple years. With aerospace and defense projects, program life extensions may require bearings to be available for decades. For example, the F-16 was introduced in the 1970s but will remain in service until 2050 because of a program life extension.

When is bearing hardware needed?

Bearing hardware includes the cages that are used to hold rolling elements in the proper orientation so that they remain separated and follow the correct rolling path. If your application needs bearing hardware, remember to consider the potential effects of vibration, friction, and contamination.

Has a target price been established?

A ball bearing’s target price is a function of target costing, a strategy to set the price point for a product and then engineer it to that point. To avoid cost overruns, it’s important to account for all of your costs, including transportation and storage.

Who are the typical bearing suppliers?

The suppliers for a ball bearing can vary by degree of precision, industries served, and geographic location. For example, if you’re looking for a Made in America bearing that meets Boeing or MIL-SPEC standards, you won’t find it by searching overseas for low-cost, low-precision products.

Are there any pain points in the bearing supply chain?

The best ball bearing suppliers minimize supply chain risks by keeping sufficient quantities of materials in stock and maintaining their ability to scale up production in response to rising demand. If you’re ready to work with the best ball bearing supplier for precision products, contact Schatz

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