Needle roller bearings are designed for use in applications that require high-load capacity in compact units with minimum loss of performance. Industries that include but are not limited to automotive, robotics, and heavy machinery can take full advantage of these bearings as the weight is distributed effectively with friction at a low.
Acorn Industrial Services offers a large range of needle bearings from premium brands like SKF, IKO, and Nadella. With a product range of types such as radial, thrust, and track runner bearings, the applications are demanding. Our bearings are designed to ensure greater reliability by improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
The Needle Roller Bearing is an essential and important component in robotics, material handling and refrigeration compressor applications.
The Needle Roller Bearing is a multi-faceted bearing solution. An ideal bearing for applications requiring a bearing with a low cross section, low mass, relatively high carrying capacity and/or high stiffness. However it is sensitive to misalignment.
The low cross section of the Needle Roller Bearing design allows for the downsizing of an application, or ‘power up’ of a products performance.
Low Vibration and Noise Levels: Minimises operational disruptions and enhances efficiency in sensitive applications.
Handles Heavy Radial Loads: Designed to accommodate substantial radial loads, ensuring reliable operation even under high-stress conditions.
High-Speed Capability: Suitable for high-speed applications, offering smooth and continuous performance.
Compact Design: With a low cross-sectional height, they’re perfect for applications with limited space.
Enhanced Load-Carrying Capacity: Relatively high load-bearing capabilities for their size, making them ideal for compact, high-performance machinery.
Needle roller bearings are widely used across industries due to their ability to handle high loads and operate efficiently in compact spaces. Typical applications include:
Robotics: Used in robotic arms and joints, needle roller bearings enable precise movement and support high-speed operations with minimal vibration.
Material Handling: Essential in conveyor systems and lifting equipment, where they support heavy loads while maintaining compact designs.
Refrigeration Compressors: Their high-speed capability and low noise levels make them ideal for compressors, contributing to quiet and efficient operation.
Automotive Transmissions: Found in gearboxes and transmissions, where they handle intense radial loads and enable compact design within limited space.
Aerospace: Utilised in various aircraft components, needle roller bearings provide stability and withstand demanding conditions without adding excess weight.
Agricultural Machinery: Common in equipment like tractors and harvesters, where they endure heavy radial loads while maintaining reliability over extended use.
Power Tools: Integrated into high-speed, high-performance tools, ensuring low vibration and durability in intensive applications.
The high speeds which needle roller bearings can operate at means that they are usually lubricated with grease or oil. Depending on the demands of the application, high-speeds or heavy loads may mean that the bearings would need regular coats of lubrication.
As needle bearings can reach such high speeds, the retainers are vital to prevent any friction between the needles, and they help to make the needles more stable.
Although there is a wide range of designs available for needle bearings, the typical bearing features an inner race and outer race, a cage which contains the needle rollers and the actual needle rollers.
In some cases, needle bearings can be used without an inner race or outer race or either, as the needle rollers in the bearings can operate alone. For needle rollers to be effective, the hardness, accuracy, and finish of the shaft need to have exactly the same qualities as the bearing races.
At Acorn Industrial Services, we offer a comprehensive range of roller bearings designed to meet various industrial requirements. Our roller bearings are engineered for precision, reliability, and high-performance operation in any application.
Needle roller bearings are used in applications requiring high load capacity in compact spaces, such as robotics, automotive transmissions, and material handling equipment.
Yes, needle roller bearings generally require lubrication, either grease or oil, to reduce friction and wear, enhancing their lifespan and performance.
Needle roller bearings are sensitive to misalignment and may not handle axial loads as well as other bearing types, requiring precise installation and alignment.
Yes, many needle roller bearings are suitable for high-speed applications, provided they are properly lubricated and aligned for optimal performance.