Robot Bearings
Robot reducers are primarily divided into harmonic reducers and RV reducers. These systems feature a compact structure, high gear reduction ratio, high rigidity, and low noise. They enable stable operation under high loads with excellent rotational accuracy, and are widely used in the robotics industry.
Types
FLT offers specialized bearing solutions for robotic reducers, including but not limited to:
– For Harmonic Reducers:
- Crossed roller bearings
- Flex spline bearings
– For RV Reducers:
- Tapered roller bearings
- Thin-walled angular contact ball bearings
- Needle roller bearings
- Deep groove ball bearings
The flex spline bearing is a critical component used at the input end of the harmonic reducer. Through controlled elastic deformation, it enables highly precise, low-friction torque transmission—making it indispensable in robotic joint mechanisms.
Details
- Crossed Roller Bearings: these bearings contain cylindrical rollers arranged orthogonally at 90°, enabling a single bearing to support axial, radial, and moment loads simultaneously. Depending on working conditions, they are available in full-roller or spacer block designs. Structurally, they come in three configurations: integrated inner and outer ring, split inner ring, or split outer ring—meeting diverse installation needs.
- Flex Spline Bearings: these ultra-thin angular contact bearings feature flexible outer rings and highly precise raceways. Typically made of high-carbon chromium steel with integrated nylon cages, the design allows for elliptical deformation when coupled with a cam, enabling accurate torque transmission through the steel balls and outer ring. This unique structure is critical to harmonic reducer performance.
- RV Reducer Bearings: although structurally similar to standard bearings, RV bearings undergo enhanced design and process optimization to improve durability, load capacity, and noise reduction in robotic applications.
Features
Crossed Roller Bearings: composed of an inner ring, a flanged outer ring, and crossed cylindrical rollers separated by spacers, these bearings are arranged at a 90° angle to alternately support radial, axial, and overturning loads. They offer high rigidity and rotational accuracy (up to P4 or P2 grade) and are compact in structure, with available cross-sections as thin as 5mm, 8mm, or 13mm. Factory preloading ensures immediate installation and performance.
Flex Spline Bearings: designed as ultra-thin angular contact ball bearings with a deformable outer ring, these bearings feature low friction, low energy loss, and ultra-precise components. The raceways and rolling elements are finely ground to reduce vibration and noise, achieving V4 level performance. They are critical for smooth, high-precision harmonic motion.
Tapered Roller Bearings: used in RV reducers, these bearings are compact and lightweight while offering high load capacity for combined axial and radial loads. They feature low friction, low noise, and long service life—making them ideal for repetitive, high-performance robotic movement.
Thin-walled Angular Contact Ball Bearings: these compact bearings have thin outer ring walls and are typically integrated with the RV reducer housing. They support high radial and axial loads while maintaining high rotational precision, low friction torque, and low noise.
Needle Roller Bearings: available as full complement or caged assemblies, these bearings offer a compact structure with high load capacity and are well-suited for space-constrained, high-speed robotic applications.
Deep Groove Ball Bearings: used for low-friction applications within RV reducers, these bearings provide low start-up torque, quiet operation, and the ability to carry radial loads with limited axial load-bearing capability.
Applications
Harmonic and RV reducer bearings are primarily used in core components of robotic systems, including:
- Robot joints and arms
- Base and rotating modules of industrial robots
- Direct drive (DD) motors in CNC rotary tables
- Laser chucks
- Vertical machining centers
These bearings ensure high-precision motion, load stability, and long-term durability in high-performance robotic environments.
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