Drawn Cup Needle Roller Bearings

What Are Drawn Cup Needle Roller Bearings?

Drawn cup needle roller bearings are a special type of needle bearing featuring a deep-drawn, thin-walled outer ring made of high-strength steel. These bearings are available with open ends or a closed end and are designed to provide a compact and cost-effective bearing solution. Their unique structure allows for high radial load capacity while maintaining a minimal cross-sectional height.

Key Characteristics

• Low sectional height: Ideal for space-constrained designs
• High load carrying capacity: Despite their compact form, they handle significant radial loads
• Lightweight construction: Reduces overall system weight
• Easy to install: Can be press-fitted directly into the housing bore

Design and Construction

These bearings consist of:

• A thin, drawn cup outer ring that provides structural integrity with minimal space usage
• A full complement of needle rollers, or a needle roller and cage assembly
• Optional closed-end design for end-stop or sealing requirements

Drawn cup bearings do not typically require an inner ring and are designed to run directly on the hardened shaft surface.

Applications

Drawn cup needle roller bearings are widely used in applications that demand high load performance in compact spaces. Common industries and use cases include:

• Automotive: Transmissions, gearboxes, rocker arms, and pumps
• Power tools: Drills, grinders, and other handheld devices
• Textile machinery: Compact, high-speed rotating assemblies
• Office equipment: Printers, copiers, and compact drive mechanisms

Advantages

• Extremely space-saving with high performance
• Suitable for mass-production and cost-sensitive applications
• Excellent for high-speed and high-load conditions when used with properly hardened shafts
• Reduces the need for complex bearing housings or additional axial positioning components

Installation Tips

• Ensure housing bore is within tolerance and free from contamination
• Use appropriate press-fitting tools to avoid ring deformation
• Ensure the shaft is properly hardened and finished to serve as the raceway
• Use proper lubrication to prevent premature wear

Interchangeability

Drawn cup needle roller bearings are available from several major brands and often interchangeable with:

• Schaeffler (INA)

Before substitution, always verify critical dimensions and tolerances to ensure exact fit and performance compatibility.