Wire race bearings – find manufacturers and suppliers

Wire race bearings are a special bearing design in which the rolling elements (balls or rollers) roll on hardened steel wires instead of on bearing rings.

They are special machine elements that enable efficient rotary motion with a high load capacity and compact design. The raceways are formed by hardened wire profiles. These wire profiles are either circular or elliptical in shape and are fixed in a housing.

Below you will find an overview of how wire race bearings work, their areas of application and a brief overview of their advantages:

How wire race bearings work:

Wire race bearings essentially consist of three main components:

1. Wire raceways: These are made of hardened steel and provide a resistant running surface for the rolling elements.
2. Rolling elements, e.g. balls or rollers: They roll between the wire raceways and reduce friction between the moving parts.
3. Bearing cage or separator: This ensures an even distribution of the rolling elements and prevents them from touching each other.

By rolling the rolling elements between the wire raceways, friction is significantly reduced, resulting in high efficiency and low heat generation.

Applications of wire race bearings:

Wire race bearings are used in many industries, including:

1. Mechanical engineering:
In machine tools, rotary tables and robots for precise motion execution.

2. Automotive industry:
For steering and chassis components with high load requirements.

3. Aerospace:
Due to its low weight and high reliability in aircraft and satellite mechanisms.

4. Medical technology:
In X-ray machines, CT scanners and other precision instruments.

5. Logistics and conveyor technology:
In slewing rings of conveyor systems or packaging machines.

Advantages of wire race bearings:

• As they are often made of lightweight materials, they are suitable for applications with weight restrictions.
• The hardened wire raceways can support high loads.
• Wire race bearings have a compact design and are ideal for tight installation spaces.
• The optimized geometry of the raceways ensures a long service life.
• As they are comparatively easy to manufacture, they offer an economical alternative to classic rolling bearings.

Wire race bearings offer an outstanding combination of high load carrying capacity, low weight and space-saving design. They are an ideal solution for applications where precision, durability and efficiency are required. Due to their versatility, they are successfully used in various industrial sectors.

Below is an overview of the most important points to consider when purchasing wire race bearings:

Purchasing wire race bearings requires technical understanding and strategic planning in order to balance quality, cost and availability optimally.

• Before wire race bearings can be procured, the specific requirements must be analyzed in detail.
• What should the load-bearing capacity be and what types of load are to be expected?
• Consider static and dynamic load ratings.
• Radial and axial loads: Ensure that the bearing can support the expected loads.
• The bearing diameter, bearing width and installation space must be checked carefully.
• Take into account the fitting tolerances for mounting and operation.
• Use high-quality steels, e.g. 100Cr6 or special alloys for corrosion protection.
• Coatings for higher wear resistance or corrosion protection, e.g. hard chrome plating, are optional.
• For applications with low tolerance deviations, select bearings with a high precision class, e.g. P5, P4 according to DIN ISO.
• Depending on the application, select low friction coefficients for energy-efficient operation.
• Compare open and sealed bearings. Open bearings require external lubrication.
• Special lubricants may be required for extreme temperatures or high speeds.
• Observe certifications and quality standards when purchasing: ISO 9001 for general quality management. ISO 14001 for environmentally friendly production. Special certifications for aviation AS9100 or medical technology ISO 13485.
• When purchasing, evaluate not only the unit price, but also the service life and maintenance requirements.
• Pay attention to the warranty conditions and the complaints process.

The purchase of wire race bearings requires a combination of technical analysis, strategic supplier selection and economic calculation. By taking the above criteria into account, costs can be reduced, operational reliability increased and sustainable solutions implemented in the long term.

Wire race bearings can be purchased from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Wire Race Bearings around the world on Exportpages.