From raw steel to precision bearings. A look behind the supply chain at Saurer Ball Bearings.
At first glance, a bearing may seem simple – a ring, a few balls, a cage. Yet behind this seemingly simple design lies a high precision manufacturing process in which every hundredth of a millimetre counts. At Saurer Ball Bearings, this process is defined by quality, control and decades of experience.
The beginning: selecting the steel
Every precision bearing starts with the right material. We use only high quality bearing steel with a high degree of purity, defined hardness and a homogeneous microstructure.
Chemical composition, hardness values and surface integrity are already checked during raw material inspection.
Turning, grinding, hardening. Precision in every phase
The inner and outer rings are pre machined from raw steel, hardened and then ground to their final dimensions.
Each machining stage has a clear objective: maximum dimensional accuracy and surface quality.
• Hard turning prepares the fits and raceways.
• The hardening process achieves the required hardness while maintaining sufficient toughness.
• Fine grinding and lapping create mirror smooth raceways that ensure quiet running and long service life.
The result is tolerances within just a few micrometres – a level of precision achievable only through experience and consistent process monitoring.
Assembly with care and precision
Mechanical processing is followed by assembly. Balls, cages and rings are carefully assembled, either automatically or manually depending on the bearing size and design.
Lubrication plays a key role in this process, whether grease, oil or dry film. Each bearing receives the correct lubricant for its intended application.
Before packaging, each bearing is visually and acoustically inspected, measured and assigned a unique SKA® batch number. This ensures full traceability throughout the entire supply chain.
Measuring instead of estimating
For us, quality does not end at the workbench. During final inspection, running accuracy, roundness and surface roughness of each batch are measured with high precision systems, first in Shanghai and then in Switzerland.
Our measuring equipment records values in the sub micrometre range and ensures that every bearing exactly meets SKA® specifications. Only approved batches are released for delivery. Any deviation is documented, analysed and corrected within the process, creating a closed quality cycle that prevents downtime and builds lasting trust.
Manufacturing in partnership. Quality control in Switzerland
SKA® collaborates with more than 20 specialised manufacturing plants in Asia. Selection and auditing are carried out by our technical teams in Switzerland and Shanghai.
This ensures an optimal balance between global manufacturing expertise and Swiss quality management.
Each production facility is regularly inspected according to clearly defined SKA® audit criteria covering material quality, manufacturing tolerances, documentation and measurement methods.
Conclusion
From the first steel cut to the final inspection, precision is no coincidence but the result of consistent quality work.
Saurer Ball Bearings combines international manufacturing capabilities with Swiss measuring methods and decades of experience, ensuring that every bearing delivers what it promises: Where Precision Moves.
Find out more at www.ska.swiss