LM76 Blogger

For 42 years LM76 has been offering innovative solutions to problems!

THE SOUL OF A NEW IDEA In 1976, Warren Hamilton, The General Manager of J.C. Tarbell Associates,  an internationally recognized designer of plain (sleeve) bearings was asked by a customer to solve a linear ball bearing failure. At the time, Warren and his team spent most of their efforts on traditional rotary, sleeve bearing design. Applications like a revolutionary sintered, high temperature (700F+), self-lubricating aircraft engine stator vane bushing made from nickel, chromium and cobalt – eventually used in every F404 engine employed on the new F-18 Hornet – America’s new topline fighter. Getting back to the linear ball bearing issue… Warren studied the linear ball bearing failure and set-out to find a solution.

The linear ball bearing was failing because of too short a stroke coupled with rapid oscillation. Up until this time, there was no solution. In 1976, the idea of ceramics was in its infancy relative to industrial designs. Warren had an idea, using an aluminum substrate and applying a ceramic coating to it might work. While struggling to find an answer, Warren had a design epiphany and the ceramic coated linear bearing – and LM76 (Linear Motion 1976) – were born. “And now you know – the rest of the story.”

LM76 has been providing The Engineering Edge for 42 years!  We welcome a challenge!

For more information, call Mike Quinn or John Tarbell at 1-800-513-3163 or email: mquinn@LM76.com