A message from
Mark Goldsmith
BNL, Managing Director
Welcome to our Summer edition! Thank you for taking the time to read our latest newsletter and for your continued interest in BNL.
In this Summer edition, we focus on BNL’s work in the Automotive sector.
As vehicle manufacturers seek to reduce weight, simplify assemblies and enhance the driver experience, precision polymer and composite bearings are increasingly replacing traditional metal alternatives in critical automotive applications. We demonstrate how our custom-engineered polymer and composite bearings help meet these challenges by improving performance, reducing maintenance and delivering reliable motion in modern automotive designs.
We welcome your feedback and, if you have a bearing engineering challenge, our team would be delighted to discuss how BNL can help.
Polymer and Composite Bearing Solutions for Automotive Components
At BNL, we work closely with OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to develop bespoke polymer and composite bearing solutions for steering systems, interior controls and other motion-critical applications.
Every bearing is engineered around our customers’ performance objectives, manufacturing requirements and operating environment.
Our steering column bearing programmes demonstrate the value of application-specific engineering. In one project, we replaced a conventional steel bearing assembly with lightweight polymer and composite alternatives featuring integrated crush ribs and compliant retention features to accommodate manufacturing tolerances. Carefully controlled internal clearances delivered smooth, consistent operation across a wide temperature range, while optimised clip geometry enabled the bearing to withstand extraction forces exceeding 2,000 N and anti-theft test loads of 12,000 N radial force.
Our expertise also extends to the tactile performance of vehicle interior controls. For a climate control application, we engineered a custom bearing assembly with tunable rotational torque, integrated spring features and moulded detents to deliver the precise haptic feel our customer required. By incorporating multiple functions into a single precision-moulded component, we reduced component count, improved positional stability and simplified assembly.
Whether supporting new vehicle programmes or optimising existing designs, BNL helps customers improve performance, reduce weight and simplify manufacture through precision-engineered plastic bearing solutions.|
BNL Achieves IATF 16949 Reaccreditation
We are delighted to announce that BNL has successfully achieved reaccreditation to IATF 16949:2016, the internationally recognised quality management standard for the automotive industry.
The reaccreditation provides our automotive customers with continued reassurance that BNL’s quality management systems and manufacturing processes meet the rigorous standards expected by the global automotive sector.
This reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, precision-engineered bearing solutions that satisfy the demanding performance, reliability and traceability requirements of automotive manufacturers worldwide.
If you’re facing a bearing challenge, our engineering team can support – please get in touch.
Email: Web-enquiries@bnl-bearings.com
Call: +44 (0)1423 799200
Supporting Your Customer Events
BNL can support customer open days, technical workshops and local trade events across the globe.
Recently, our team has supported a series of customer mini trade shows in Japan for the electrical manufacturing sector, bringing together suppliers, engineers and decision-makers in a focused, collaborative environment.
These events provide an excellent opportunity to discuss technical challenges, demonstrate how custom-engineered bearing solutions can add value, strengthen customer relationships and share engineering expertise.
If you are planning a local event or supplier showcase, we would be delighted to attend and discuss how BNL can help make it a success.
Engineering Insight
Component Teardown & Application Analysis
BNL’s component teardown and application analysis service helps identify opportunities to improve existing designs. By evaluating current bearing assemblies, our engineers can identify ways to simplify designs, reduce weight, improve performance and lower overall system costs.
Whether you are reviewing an existing design or developing a new application, our engineering team is ready to help identify opportunities for improvement.
Give BNL the Automotive Motion Challenge.
We’ll Engineer the Solution.
Email: Web-enquiries@bnl-bearings.com
Call: +44 (0)1423 799200
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