Auburn Ball Bearing Company (USA; privately held; website; 5251R9N7) has launched a new series of V-groove thrust ball bearings, the 2900 series. Auburn is one of the world's oldest surviving bearing manufacturers.

The 2900 series are metric dimension bearings with molded nylon retainers; they are directly interchangeable with standard design bearings.

2900 series bearings range from 10mm - 130mm ID, and 26mm - 185mm OD. The company manufactures both 52100 and stainless versions.

All Auburn bearings are Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR) compliant.

Auburn's primary product is the V-groove (aka "Auburn 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 manufactures thrust bearings with standard round groove (type RG) ball tracks. The smaller, single-row versions are pure center-load with no ID hole. The double-row configuration is offered in inch 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.

Founded in 1898, the company gets its name from its Auburn, New York hometown. In 1900, it was acquired by the Rochester Ball Bearing division of Knowlton and Beach. At that time, Auburn's bearing manufacturing operations were moved to Rochester, New York, and consolidated with Rochester Ball Bearing. Gradually, the Rochester Ball Bearing name was phased out in favor of the Auburn Ball Bearing brand under Knowlton and Beach. In 1904, Knowlton and Beach renamed itself as M.D. Knowlton.

After 106 years, M.D. Knowlton sold Auburn Ball Bearing in to Fairport Products in 2006. The company then moved its manufacturing from Victor, New York to Fairport's facility in Macedon, New York.

article : Auburn Ball Bearing acquired by Fairport Products