A bushing or a sleeve is a tubular part defined by two diameters and the wall between them. Balford makes them by deep drawing and ironing for volume, by turning from bar where the bore tolerance demands it, and by forming followed by machining when both apply.
What we make
The parts are simple in shape and unforgiving in tolerance.
- Plain bushings, flanged bushings and sleeve bearings
- Spacers, distance sleeves and shaft sleeves
- Magnetic sleeves and flux sleeves for solenoid assemblies
- Bushings with oil holes, grooves, slots or knurled outside diameters
Which route for which part
The route is decided by wall thickness, length to diameter ratio and the bore tolerance rather than by size alone.
- Deep drawn and ironed: high volume, thin wall, wall thickness uniformity is the critical control
- Turned from bar: tight bore, low volume, or a profile forming cannot produce
- Formed then machined: blank by forming, bore and seat finished by turning
- Annealing and cleaning between operations when the material work hardens
What we control
These parts fail on fit, so the inspection plan is built around the mating diameters.
- ID and OD concentricity and wall thickness variation around the part
- Press fit and running clearance tolerances held on the mating diameters
- Surface finish on the running bore, specified as Ra where the customer needs it
- Roundness and straightness over the full length
Send a bushing drawing for review →
Related: Magnetic sleeves · Spring seats · CNC machining · DFM review