Needle Bearing Section
We offer a wide range of needle bearings, including drawn cup, J caged, and B full complement inch-size bearings, as well as NK and HK metric caged bearings. We also provide 52100 inner rings for when shaft raceway specifications can't be met and cam followers (CR) with studs and full complement track rollers in the Y series.
Needle bearings are a type of roller bearing that use long, thin cylindrical rollers resembling needles. These bearings are designed to handle high radial loads in compact spaces. Here are some key points about needle bearings:
Types of Needle Bearings
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Solid Needle Roller Bearings: These bearings have no cage and consist of a solid array of needle rollers. They offer high load capacity and precision.
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Drawn Cup Needle Roller Bearings: These bearings have a drawn cup outer ring that encapsulates the needle rollers. They can be full complement (no cage) or caged (with a cage to keep the rollers in place).
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Caged Needle Roller Bearings: These bearings have a cage that holds the needle rollers in place, allowing for higher speeds and easier handling.
Applications
Needle bearings are commonly used in applications where space is limited and high load capacity is required. Some typical applications include:
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Automotive transmissions: Used in planetary gears and constant mesh gearboxes.
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Industrial machinery: Found in robot speed reducers and other machinery requiring compact, high-load bearings.
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Agricultural equipment: Used in machinery like conveyors and elevators.
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Robotics: Employed in robotic joints and mechanisms.
Advantages
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High Load Capacity: Despite their small size, needle bearings can support high radial loads.
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Compact Design: Their thin profile allows for space-saving designs.
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High Speed Capability: Caged needle bearings, in particular, can handle high rotational speeds.