From Jewelry To Rock Guitar: The Many Uses Of Steel Balls
Very often we ignore the more mundane aspects of life because we assume that common entails boring. However, more people than ever are discovering that actually, everyday objects are often full of interesting designs and components and work on fascinating principles. There are many popular television science shows that demonstrate this newfound enthusiasm for the workings of the everyday world. You might also be surprised to find that very often the same components crop up in a wide variety of different scenarios, linking widely disparate inventions with a common thread. One example of this is steel balls, which underlies the basic operation of so many things, from the mundane to the very special.
Jewelry
Metal balls are very common parts of jewelry. There are many different treatments that can be applied to these spheres to give them different lusters and finishes. For example, shiny, polished stainless steel tends to have a subtly different appearance to chrome, and either might be used to create a certain visual effect. It is interesting to consider that among the myriad mechanical and industrial uses for metal, it nonetheless finds its way into considerations of aesthetics in jewelry and decoration. These balls are also often used in the body jewelry business for personal decoration.
Rock Guitar
Bringing a whole new meaning to heavy metal, steel balls are often used in the construction of electric guitars. In the rock and metal world, many guitars are equipped with a device called a floating bridge, which means that the anchor point on the body to which the strings attach can be tilted forwards and backwards against a spring. This allows the strings to be loosened or slackened, producing the warbling or sliding sounds that are so much a part of these dramatic and energetic styles of music. Sure enough, steel balls are often used to provide a reliable, low-friction surface for the hinge of the floating bridge.
Miscellaneous Applications
Other examples of odd or unexpected uses of metal balls include automobiles, artillery and spray cans. These seemingly unrelated items all use metal balls. Cars and trucks have many bearings, which use metal balls for smoothness and durability. Historically, before the development of the modern bullet or shell, artillery used metal balls for ammunition. Spray cans use them for mixing paint as well; that is the rattle you hear when shaking these cans!
Summary
Steel balls are used for such a wide range of uses; it is almost difficult to believe. Such apparently unrelated designs as jewelry, electric guitars, autos, historic cannons and spray paint all make use of the same essential components. It is fascination to see the commonality in parts between such different machines, and it is also a testament to the versatility and importance of steel balls.
Jewelry
Metal balls are very common parts of jewelry. There are many different treatments that can be applied to these spheres to give them different lusters and finishes. For example, shiny, polished stainless steel tends to have a subtly different appearance to chrome, and either might be used to create a certain visual effect. It is interesting to consider that among the myriad mechanical and industrial uses for metal, it nonetheless finds its way into considerations of aesthetics in jewelry and decoration. These balls are also often used in the body jewelry business for personal decoration.
Rock Guitar
Bringing a whole new meaning to heavy metal, steel balls are often used in the construction of electric guitars. In the rock and metal world, many guitars are equipped with a device called a floating bridge, which means that the anchor point on the body to which the strings attach can be tilted forwards and backwards against a spring. This allows the strings to be loosened or slackened, producing the warbling or sliding sounds that are so much a part of these dramatic and energetic styles of music. Sure enough, steel balls are often used to provide a reliable, low-friction surface for the hinge of the floating bridge.
Miscellaneous Applications
Other examples of odd or unexpected uses of metal balls include automobiles, artillery and spray cans. These seemingly unrelated items all use metal balls. Cars and trucks have many bearings, which use metal balls for smoothness and durability. Historically, before the development of the modern bullet or shell, artillery used metal balls for ammunition. Spray cans use them for mixing paint as well; that is the rattle you hear when shaking these cans!
Summary
Steel balls are used for such a wide range of uses; it is almost difficult to believe. Such apparently unrelated designs as jewelry, electric guitars, autos, historic cannons and spray paint all make use of the same essential components. It is fascination to see the commonality in parts between such different machines, and it is also a testament to the versatility and importance of steel balls.
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