Our Range of Tools

No amount words can describe the purpose and function of a tool better than a video. Please familiarise yourself with our most popular Aerospace Bearing Tools by watching our instructional videos. These not only introduce the product range but provide endless value in quality control and for training purposes.

The reference image shows the consistent mirror finish swage around the circumference of the bearing provided by the UNASIS Tri-Roller Swaging Tool.

It is evident in the image that the tri-roller tool has provided an even, smooth and mirror-like surface to the swaging lip on the bearing. Virtually no gap is visible between the swaged lip and the housing and thus will provide superb mating and retention between the two components. This is what we ensure is achieved every time with our tools. This minimizes assembly rejections for visual inconsistencies or failed proof load test or breakaway torque tests.

What is not obvious in the image but can result from using more basic tools are issues such as abrading, sheared edges, gauges and micro cracks. These issues primarily arise because the forces used for anvil staking tools are much greater and the magnitude of material stress is much greater when compared with tri-roller swaging tools. Tri-roller swaging stresses the material much less by causing the material to deform in small increments rather than forcing a large change in one movement.

Carter offers a full range swaging, cutting and install/removal tools in addition to proof loading and breakaway torque testing tool for the correct installation, testing and removal of grooved or plain spherical bearings, sleeves and housings. We also have the ability to produce custom design, non-standard and one-off bearing tools and testers.

Accurate removal of a bearing from its housing is just as important as correct installation.

Bearing cutter tools are specifically tailored to each bearing size in order to remove only the bearing itself with minimal or no damage to the housing. The UNASIS v-groove bearing cutting tools are designed to work by cutting down into the swaged v-groove of the bearing. This cut into the v-groove of the bearing weakens the bearing lip that was swaged against the housing so that it easily collapses into the bore when the bearing is pressed out. The cutting tools are designed in such a way that the cutter only cuts the bearing and thus preserves the integrity of the housing.

Install removal tools are design to insert and position bearing accurately prior to swaging and to carefully remove the bearing once the swaged lip has been removed. The install / removal tool keeps the bearing perpendicular to the housing ensuring that the housing is not damaged during the installation or removal. If bearings are just pressed into the housing the sharp edges of the bearing could score the housing bore. Care should always be taken when installing or removing bearings.

If the housing fits are designed to be loose, you will not need an installation tool. However, generally removing bearings will always need this tool as the swaged lip is going to exert a good pressure against the housing even if it has been cut. Cutter tools are designed to allow the v-groove lip to collapse but the bearing still needs a force applied to it so that the bearing breaks free. Using the install removal tool ensures that the bearing is withdrawn from the housing perpendicularly so as not to cause damage to the housing.

After performing a bearing staking process or bearing swaging process, a visual inspection must be completed before validating the installation. The pass and fail criteria is completely dependent on the process specification on which you are working. Most installations will require a visual inspection to ensure no galling or metal smearing is present. A clean mirror finish is normally required.  Next, a feeler gauge is required to determine the gap between the bearing groove and housing chamfer. A common requirement is 0.002 – 0.005in or 0.050 to 0.127mm. Some manufactures want no more than 0.003in while others want no more than 0.100mm. We will happily provide clarity on this if requested.

After this inspection, it is normally required to perform a proof load test or a torque test. 

Proof loading tools are available as either anvil style or portable style tools.

The press style tools come in the form of pusher and receiver cups to support the bearing whilst being pressure loaded during tests. This style of tool is designed to work with a press (hydraulic/pneumatic) and customers own load cell. Press style proof loading tools are ideal for any specification where precise incremental loads need to be applied as they securely hold the bearing and evenly distribute the load to provide accurate testing results. Each size of bearing requires its own pusher and receiver cup in order to accurately match the swaging groove and housing on each bearing.

As seen in the illustration, the anvil style proof load tool must be accompanied by the customers press, measurement gauge and load reader. This can be very cumbersome for larger assemblies or impossible for certain geometries.

The UNASIS Portable Proof Load Kit includes an electronic handheld display, digital load cell with TEDS memory, DTI gauge and machined parts to test the bearing. These are highly mobile units that enable, if required, proof loading of newly installed bearings without the need to full remove the component from its assembly. Each unit is supplied with a load cell specific to the bearing being used and calibrated to the appropriate load value required per the specification. Electronic handheld displays can be calibrated to work with a number of load cells which reduce cost as a single display can be returned for re-calibration and additional load cells added to its library only requiring the purchase of an additional load cell. Electronic proof loading tools are all supplied with DTI gauges for precision displacement measurement.

Each kit can be easily adapted to suit multiple different bearing sizes without the need to purchase additional electronics. Most popular sizes are held in stock, ready to be supplied immediately.

In addition to standard sizes available all UNASIS Proof Loading tools can be designed to work exclusively with your components. If there is any feature, lug or dimension that may cause a restriction for the standard tool please make us aware so that we can quote accordingly. For example, blocker door systems can prove challenging for proof load tests. Below is a custom UNASIS portable proof load tool designed specifically to overcome significant access issues.

Breakaway torque testing tools use a specialised torque wrench which, whilst holding the bearing in place, measures the torque required to rotate the ball once the bearing is installed into its housing.

Due to the simple and lightweight design UNASIS break away torque testing tools can easily be used on components already installed in application. The Torque Testing Tools are simple to use and feature an electronic breakaway torque which records peak torque value.

Break away torque testers are held in stock for all popular sizes and are designed to help measure effectiveness against the requirements of the customers’ specification. Typical, standard tools work within a range of 0-170in/lbs but if the requirement falls outside of these limits a tool can be made to suit. Similarly, the hardware which retains the bearing can be adapted and customised to suit complex housings.

Swivel Torque Test sometimes referred to as Misalignment Torque Tests are becoming increasingly more common in the Aerospace industry. UNASIS bearing tools has the only commercially available solution to test for both swivel torque and breakaway torque within the same assembly. This saves operators precious setup time.

The UNASIS Swivel Torque Tool is easily compatible between the full MS14101 and MS14103 bearing range and a kit is available form stock at Carter Bearings. There is no more need to use a spring scale arrangement which is cumbersome and inaccurate. This misalignment torque tool conforms to both Boeing and Airbus process specifications among many other leading manufactures. Please get in touch for more information.

Custom Aerospace Bearing tools are necessary in situations where there an access restrictions or unique housing geometry. As UNASIS bearing tools are stocked and standardized for competitive pricing and immediately delivery time, they may not suit every application. When the situation arises it is very important to have bearing tooling experts with decades of experience in custom bearing tools.

Carter supplies specialized bearing tools for applications such as blocker doors, landing gear, engine casings and complex geometries on airframe composites. Having a back catalog of proven solutions means we are never taking a chance on your application as we have already proved the concept. With full engineering support and 3D printing capabilities, a solution for your next project is just around the corner.

Engine mount bearing tool kits are available at Carter. We typically work on the following engines and already have validated kits for:

• CFM56-5B
• CFM56-7B
• V2500
• LEAP-1B
• LEAP-1A
• Many more

If you are looking to repair engine mounts with any other engine models, please reach out to us. We have specialist tools designed specifically for the high temperature bearings within these assemblies.

Landing gear systems are unique components that require specialist bearing tools.  Typically struts have anti-rotation tabs and access restrictions that require custom tool designs. These bearings also tend to be much larger and less common than airframe bearings. Moreover, oversize bearings are common so tool consolidation can save significant resources.

Carter are experts in landing gear bearing tools and have developed specific designs to support this market. Please look no further and reach out to our tooling experts.

When dealing with flight critical, hard to source and incredibly expensive main shaft Aerospace bearings, ensuring proper bearing mounting is paramount. What sets the UNASIS Aerospace Bearing Heater apart from others are the temperature probes placed on the inner and outer ring which export data in real time with smart power control. The “smart” aspect is that after you input the maximum temperature differential between the inner and outer ring, the power is continuousness regulated to never exceed this value. This guarantees it is impossible for false brinelling to occur on the raceways and destroy the bearings. Also, this data is simply extracted to print out a “proof of work” report for internal quality control or to supply your customer. This will substantiate the job was done accurately with measurable and verifiable data. Your engine shop can market this an additional level of due diligence and quality control with every engine module repair. This makes competitive facilities look amateur. The Aerospace Bearing Heater will improve your quality procedure, reputation and market standing thus generating happier customers and more repeat business.

Check out this page to find our comprehensive list of Boeing Bearing Tools. Many of these tools are old designs and we have modern advancements which save cost and improve quality. Please reach out to us to discuss your options!