RBIConnections

A Monthly Communication From

RBI Bearing, Inc.
July 2004
Volume II --lllkkIssue 7 mlllllllllllll bb bbbb

xxxxx mm

RBI Appoints Director of

Engineering
Michael Kenney, Vice President of RBI-USA today announced the appointment
of Michael J. Mortensen to the position of Director of Engineering for RBI
Bearing, Inc. USA.

In his new position, Mike will coordinate all technical communication with our
manufacturing facilities in China. He will also work with our customers in the
development of new projects and direct the technical training programs for RBI
Bearing sales personnel.

Mike brings 24 years of bearing industry experience from a major manufacturer where he was an
Application Engineer, Assistant Manager of Technical Services, Manager of Product and Market
Development and Product/Project Manager. He is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He
graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a BS Manufacturing Engineering degree in 1975.

RBI Bearing, Inc was established in 1989 and is a privately owned American corporation that
manufactures radial ball bearings, chain and sprockets in Chengdu and Wuxi, China. Sales and distribution
centers are located in Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto.

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What is Bearing Internal Clearance?

by Mike Mortensen - Director of Engineering RBI-USA

Editor's note: This is the first of a series of monthly articles addressing general interest technical
issues that pertain to our industry.

Typically in a ball bearing there is some play when we move or wiggle the inner ring relative to the outer
ring. Bearing internal clearance is the total movement or displacement of one bearing ring to the other ring.
The total movement the inner and outer rings can move relative to each other in the radial direction is
called radial clearance.
Similarly, the total movement the inner and outer rings can move relative to each other in the axial
direction is called axial clearance. There is a relationship between radial clearance and axial clearance.
Generally small changes in radial clearance can allow relatively large changes in axial clearance.

The internal clearance in a ball bearing is important to allow the bearing to freely rotate. Inadequate
internal clearance may cause the bearing to become difficult to rotate, generate excessive heat during
operation and reduce bearing life. Excessive internal clearance can allow excessive noise, unacceptable
axial or radial play and reduce bearing life. Generally the desired internal clearance of a ball bearing
should be close to zero when installed and operating in an application.

China Update
A quick look at recent news from China

China to liberalize foreign trade July 1

Trading companies in China will not need to ask governments for approval to engage in foreign
trade as of July 1...

Chinese-made cars debut in US market

An Arizona car dealer is gearing up to become the first to sell a full line of Chinese-made vehicles in the
United States at Wal-Mart-style prices he hopes will lure tens of thousands of buyers...

Final Word
35 Years later Red Skelton's words still hit home

As a schoolboy, one of Red Skelton's teachers explained the words and meaning of the Pledge of
Allegiance to his class. Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this
lecture. It is followed by an observation of his own.
I remember this one teacher. To me, he was the greatest teacher, a real sage of my time. He had
such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he walked over. Mr. Lasswell was
his name . . . He said: "I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all
semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try
to explain the meaning of each word:

I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.

Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.

To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is
respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.

United - - That means that we have all come together.

States - - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight
individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries,
yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.

And to the Republic - - Republic - a state in which sovereign power is invested in

representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the
people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation - - One Nation - meaning, so blessed by God.

Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats,
fear, or some sort of retaliation.

And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.

For All - - For All - which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have
been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said
that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?

--From the Red Skelton Hour - January 14, 1969

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!

We Get It Done.
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