Lightweight Ball Bearing with Small Cross Section Dimensions

Komel Bearing Co., Ltd supplies Lightweight Ball Bearing with Small Cross Section Dimensions, a precision thin section bearing built to replace paired back-to-back angular contact ball bearings while occupying only the width of a single bearing unit. This bearing retains a fixed cross-section profile even when bore diameters change, supporting compact rotary assemblies for equipment that requires controlled rotation and multi-directional load bearing. The bearing uses arch-shaped raceway grooves to achieve four-point contact between steel balls and raceways, which makes it suitable for applications that need to reduce overall structural width without sacrificing load performance.

Product Basics

Structural Design

1. The cross-section remains uniform within the same series regardless of bore size variation, securing stable mechanical performance across different specifications.

2. The radial wall thickness between inner and outer rings is relatively small, generally less than 10% of the bearing diameter, which reduces the overall weight of the rotary unit.

3. Inner and outer ring raceways adopt pointed arch groove profiles, forming four-point contact geometry with steel balls to share radial load, bidirectional axial load and overturning moment at the same time.

Core Performance

1. High precision rotation control, low friction during continuous operation, which cuts down heat generation in narrow installation spaces.

2. Integrated load structure removes the need for two separate angular contact bearings arranged back-to-back, simplifying assembly tolerance control.

3. Consistent cross-section allows engineers to reuse housing design templates when switching to different bore sizes, shortening prototype development cycles.

Technical Parameters

Below are available specifications for KAA, KA, KB, KC, KD, KF and KG series. All dimension values are shown in inches, with weight listed in pounds.

Application Range

Robotic Joints

1. Mounted on waist, elbow and wrist joints of industrial robots. It delivers precise rotary motion and reduces the overall weight of robot arms, supporting fast and repeatable positioning cycles.

Medical Rotation Modules

1. Used in rotary frames of CT scanners and articulated parts of surgical robots. Its low vibration and low noise features match strict medical motion stability requirements for diagnostic and surgical workflows.

Aerospace Payloads

1. Deployed within airborne equipment and satellite payload assemblies. It helps cut structural weight while maintaining long-term reliability under cyclic rotation loads.

Machine Tool Spindles

1. Installed in spindle assemblies to sustain radial and axial loads during high-speed rotation, stabilizing cutting precision and surface finish quality.

Optical Precision Systems

1. Integrated into zoom and focus mechanisms of telescopes, microscopes and laser measuring equipment to hold optical alignment and stabilize imaging performance.

Manufacturing Control

1. All raceway grinding and finishing processes are controlled to meet precision requirements for thin section rotary bearings. The thin ring structure requires careful clamping and heat treatment to avoid deformation during processing.

2. Rolling elements and cage components are matched within tolerance bands to maintain uniform preload and consistent friction torque across batches.

3. Finished units pass dimensional inspection and rotation torque testing before packing, to confirm each bearing meets the listed cross-section and load specifications.

FAQ

Q: What load types can this bearing take?

A: It accepts radial load, bidirectional axial load and overturning moment load at the same time. The four-point contact geometry enables one single bearing to replace two back-to-back mounted angular contact ball bearings, saving axial installation space.

Q: Why is the cross-section constant across different bore sizes?

A: The fixed cross-section design is a core feature of thin section bearings. Within the same series, the wall thickness and width remain unchanged when bore diameter increases, which helps engineers reuse housing design and maintain consistent stiffness characteristics.

Q: What are the main limitations for installation?

A: The thin inner and outer rings are sensitive to uneven clamping force and housing distortion. Users must avoid excessive press fit and ensure the mating housing has sufficient rigidity to prevent ring deformation after assembly.

Q: Can I get samples before bulk order?

A: Komel Bearing supports sample supply for performance verification. Sample specifications are selected from the listed KAA, KA, KB, KC, KD, KF and KG series, and sample lead time follows factory production scheduling.

Q: What lubrication options are suitable?

A: Grease lubrication is widely used for low to medium speed rotary applications. For high-speed or vacuum environments, oil lubrication or special dry lubrication coatings can be considered according to the operating conditions of the rotary assembly.

Q: Is custom modification available for special installation envelopes?

A: Custom adjustments are evaluated based on the original constant cross-section structure. Changes to raceway profile, cage material or sealing structure can be discussed, while the core dimensional series follows the standard specification table unless otherwise confirmed.