In essence, needle bearings are cylindrical roller bearings (1:2.5 to 1:10) with rolling components that are noticeably longer than their diameter. We refer to these cylindrical rollers as needle rollers.
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Despite having a high load-bearing capacity, needle bearings need a comparatively modest design space because of their more compact construction. Furthermore, they use less material since they weigh less. Put another way, using needle bearings lowers the cost of the machine. Experts make a distinction between caged and cageless needle bearings.
DIN 617 and ISO 3245 (needle bearing with cage) and DIN 618 (drawn cup needle bearings) are pertinent standards.
Higher loads may be supported by cageless needle bearings since they employ more rolling components. In situations where there are larger dynamic loads, needle bearings with cages are utilized because of the reciprocal needle contact and the needles’ propensity to tip. Both ends of the needles taper. The needles’ thin ends are either flat or convex.
Only radial loads may be supported by needle bearings, which also require precise alignment in terms of operating temperature and radial bearing slackness. In particular, needle bearings are very inflexible and impact insensitive. Drawn cup needle roller bearings with open ends or closed ends, as well as needle roller and cage assemblies, are offered with or without an inner race. When there is a shortage of space, they can withstand extremely high radial loads. Application fields that are typical include printing machines, packaging machines, and vehicle engineering. It is true that when space is limited and speeds are low to medium, needle bearings are the preferred option.
Support rolls, curve rollers, combined needle bearings, and special needle bearings complete the needle bearing line.
Wälzlagertechnik’s experts are experts in the flawless design of needle bearing elements, including sealing and lubrication.
Roller bearings known as needle bearings reduce friction in small areas at slow speeds.
Needle bearings are far more compact than ball bearings and, because they are roller bearings, can handle loads up to eight times greater.
Thrust roller needle bearings, caged roller needle bearings, drawn cup needle roller bearings, and precise race needle bearings are the four different kinds of needle roller bearings. Their construction is made up of an inner race, often known as a shaft, an outer raceway, and a cage that holds the needle rollers.
Rollers used in loose needle roller bearings have lengths three to ten times greater than their diameter.
Usually, they are made of carburized steel and are lubricated with grease; however, in applications that need heavy duty or high speed, oil or oil-mist lubrication is required.
Since needle bearings can tolerate oscillation with a higher stiffness than most other possibilities, they have revolutionized bearing technology over 70 years ago by giving direction of the needles through the use of a cage.
Aviation cargo systems, engines, large machinery and equipment, solar panels, medical equipment, and other space-limited roller bearing applications are among the common uses for needle bearings.
Accent Bearings have the technical know-how to locate the ideal needle bearing for your limited space and other technical needs.
What qualities does a needle bearing have?
One characteristic that sets needle roller bearings apart is the utilization of long, thin cylindrical rollers that have a 3 to 10 length-to-diameter ratio. The shorter rollers used in traditional bearings stand in stark contrast to this. The extended roller design is a calculated decision that greatly increases radial load capacity without expanding the radial dimension of the bearing, not just to save space.
These rollers’ longer length allows for a larger surface area to come into contact with the raceways. A more efficient distribution of loads across a larger surface area is made possible by this wider contact zone. As a result, needle bearings have an exceptional ability to withstand greater radial loads, which is crucial for several engineering applications.
One of the best things about needle bearings is how tiny they are. These bearings have a far lower radial section height than conventional roller bearings, even with their considerable load-bearing capability. Because of this, they are very well suited for situations where radial space is at a premium but high load capacity is crucial.
Although needle bearings may support large radial loads, they are often not made to support large thrust or axial loads. A number of variables, including operating circumstances, lubrication, and bearing design, affect their viability for high-speed operations. These factors need to be carefully considered by engineers since needle bearings might not be the best choice for applications demanding extremely high speeds.
In conventional configuration, needle bearings can only withstand a certain amount of shaft and housing misalignment. Nonetheless, some designs have elements that allow for small misalignments, broadening the range of applications for which they may be used.