A new commercial packaging specification for bearings was discussed at a meeting of ASTM Committee F34 on Rolling Element Bearings in November.

It was decided that standardization would improve the shipping of bearings to customers and should cover the drying, cleaning, preservation, packing, packaging, and marking of bearings, associated parts and sub-assemblies. Development of the proposed standard was assigned to members of Subcommittee F34.03 on Cleaning, Preservation and Packaging involved in the processing of rings, retainers, balls, rollers, cups, cones, needles, etc.

Subcommittee Chair Walter Welch, a quality assurance specialist with 15 years in the bearings industry, will present the first draft to the subcommittee when it meets May 1-2 during the Spring meetings of Committee F34, April 30-May 3 at ASTM Headquarters in West Conshohocken. Individuals are encouraged to attend, especially those involved in the cleaning, preserving, packaging, packing, or distribution of bearings or bearing components.

Welch said the proposed standardization will benefit manufacturers of bearings and bearing components, military and commercial users of bearing components, distributors and packaging houses.

To become involved in this activity, or for further technical information, contact Walter Welch, Peterborough, New Hampshire (phone: 603/924-3311, ext. 5534). For further Committee F34 meeting or membership information, contact Staff Manager Tim Brooke, ASTM (phone: 610/832-9729). //

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