Auburn Ball Bearing
[
website] has been formally acquired by
Fairport Products Company. Auburn's former owner was M.D. Knowlton, which acquired
the company in 1900.
Founded in 1898, Auburn is one of the oldest continuously operating bearing
manufacturers in the United States.
Auburn's primary product is the V-groove thrust ball bearing, referring to
the exaggerated V-shaped ball tracks, which provide 4-point contact. The line is
available in a variety of open and closed configurations.
The V-groove ball track claims to provide a higher radial load capacity than most
pure thrust ball bearing designs.
Auburn also produces thrust bearings with standard rounded ball tracks. The smaller single-row
versions are pure center-load with no ID hole. The double-row configuration is offered in
IDs from 1" through 5-1/2".
Beyond thrust ball bearings, Auburn manufactures a short line of caged roller thrust roller bearings
in sizes up to 5-7/32" OD.
Following the acquisition by Fairport Products, Auburn's small shop has been moved from
Victor, New York to Fairport Products' facility in Macedon, New York.
Founded in 1992, Fairport Products manufactures power transmission components.
Auburn Ball Bearing was founded in 1898 in Auburn, New York. In 1900, it was acquired by the
Rochester Ball Bearing division of Knowlton and Beach; Auburn's manufacturing operations
were moved to Rochester, New York, and combined with Rochester Ball Bearing. Auburn Ball Bearing
became the surviving named bearing division under Knowlton and Beach, renamed in 1904 as M.D. Knowlton.