Looking for top crossed roller bearings manufacturers in the world? In this post, you will get enough informaiton.
A crossed roller bearing is a type of high-precision rolling-element bearing. it uses cylindrical rollers or tapered rollers arranged alternately at right angles (in a “cross” pattern) between an inner and outer ring. This unique design enables the bearing to support radial loads, axial loads in both directions, and overturning (moment) loads — all with a single, compact bearing.
Before start the blog, we want to introduce us as a professional supplier of crossed roller bearings in China. If you need high quality from Chinese manufacturers, do not hesitate to contact us.
1. THK
Founded: 1971
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
History: THK Co., Ltd. pioneered the development of Linear Motion (LM) Guides, introducing the world’s first linear motion system in 1972. The company’s name stands for “Toughness, High Quality, and Know-how.” THK has grown into a global leader in linear motion technology, with subsidiaries in the USA, Europe, and Asia (e.g., THK India, established 2003).
Products: LM Guides (HSR, SR series), ball screws, cross roller rings, linear actuators, seismic isolation systems.
Best Known For: The RB, RE, and RU series. The RU series is particularly famous because it features integrated mounting holes, allowing it to be bolted directly to the machine without a special housing.
2. IKO (Nippon Thompson, Japan)
Founded: 1950
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Overview: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd. (IKO) was established in 1950, becoming a pioneer in needle roller bearings. It introduced linear motion rolling guides in the 1980s, expanding its portfolio to compete with THK. IKO operates globally, with strong markets in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Best Known For: The CRB, CRBC, and CRBF series. Their high-rigidity CRBF series (with mounting holes) is heavily used in heavy-duty industrial robotic arms.
3. INA (Schaeffler Group, Germany)
Founded: 1946 (Schaeffler Group), 1883 (FAG), 1949 (INA)
Headquarters: Herzogenaurach, Germany
History: Schaeffler Group unites FAG (founded 1883 by Friedrich Fischer, inventor of the ball grinding machine) and INA (founded 1949 by Wilhelm Schaeffler). It acquired FAG in 2001, becoming a global leader in bearings and linear systems.
Best Known For: The SX and XSU series. INA bearings are the top choice for high-end 5-axis CNC machining centers and rotary index tables.
4. KAYDON (USA, a division of SKF)
Founded: 1941
Headquarters: Muskegon, Michigan, USA
Overview: While highly famous for their Reali-Slim® thin section ball bearings, Kaydon also manufactures world-class Thin Section Crossed Roller Bearings. They are designed to fit into the exact same ultra-compact space as their ball bearings but offer significantly higher stiffness due to the line-contact of rollers. They also dominate the heavy-duty sector with their XR Series crossed roller slewing rings.
Best For: Upgrading existing thin-section ball bearing setups that require extra rigidity, as well as aerospace applications, radar mounts, and military turrets.
KAYDON crossed roller bearing series: Reali-Slim® crossed roller bearings.
5. TIMKEN (USA)
Founded: 1899
Headquarters: North Canton, Ohio, USA
History: The Timken Company was founded by Henry Timken, who patented the tapered roller bearing in 1898, revolutionizing load-bearing technology for carriages and later automotive and industrial applications. Timken grew into a global leader in bearings and power transmission products, acquiring brands like Torrington (2003) and Fafnir (1985) to expand its portfolio. With over 125 years of history, Timken operates in 42 countries, with manufacturing facilities in the USA, China, India, and Europe, and serves industries like automotive, aerospace, rail, and heavy machinery.
Best Known For: Custom-engineered crossed roller bearings for aerospace, defense, radar mounts, and heavy mining equipment.
6. HIWIN (Taiwan)
Founded: 1989
Headquarters: Taichung, Taiwan
Overview: Hiwin Technologies Corp. was founded by Eric Y.T. Chuo in 1989, focusing on linear motion and control systems. The name “Hiwin” stands for “High Win,” reflecting its aim for high-quality precision engineering. Starting with ball screws, Hiwin expanded into linear guideways and actuators, becoming a major player in automation and robotics. It established global subsidiaries, including Hiwin USA (1993) and Hiwin Japan (1997), and has manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, Germany, Japan, and the USA.
Best Known For: Their CRB series, which serves as a highly reliable, widely available alternative for standard robotic and automation applications.
7. SKF (Sweden)
Founded: 1907
Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
Overview: SKF (Svenska Kullagerfabriken) was founded by Sven Wingquist, who invented the self-aligning ball bearing in 1907. SKF grew into the world’s largest bearing manufacturer, with over 20,000 bearing types. It acquired Kaydon Corporation in 2013, expanding its thin-section and slewing bearing portfolio. SKF operates in 130 countries, with manufacturing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Best For: Precision slewing bearings and crossed roller bearings heavily relied upon in wind energy, marine applications, and heavy industrial automation.
8. NSK
Founded: 1916
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Overview: As Japan’s first bearing manufacturer, NSK brings something very specific to the crossed roller bearing market: a total mastery of tribology (the science of friction) and ultra-pure material science. Because NSK produces some of the cleanest bearing steel in the world, their crossed roller bearings offer exceptionally smooth rotation and ultra-low friction.
Best For:Direct Drive (DD) motors, precision rotary actuators, and cleanroom semiconductor equipment where microscopic friction spikes or vibrations cannot be tolerated.
9. NTN
Founded: 1918
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Overview: NTN is a global leader in advanced rotational technology. Their crossed roller bearings are engineered to handle heavy loads and provide stable, continuous rotation in highly demanding industrial environments.
Best For: Heavy-duty automation applications, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and construction machinery index drives that require continuous, rugged reliability.
Looking for a highly reliable, cost-effective alternative?
At ZMS Bearings Co.,Ltd, we don’t just sell components—we partner with mechanical engineers to solve complex rotational challenges.
Through years of supplying global industries, we deeply understand the critical pain points in your specific applications:
1. Industrial Robots & Cobots (Joints & Base Axes)
When a 6-axis robot arm is fully extended with a heavy payload, the moment (tilting) loads on the base joint are immense. If there is even a micron of play in the bearing, the tip of the robot arm will vibrate or sag. We understand the critical importance of negative clearance (preload). We customize the preload of our crossed roller bearings to ensure absolute zero-backlash, giving your robots the extreme stiffness required for precise, repeatable positioning.
2. CNC Rotary Tables & 5-Axis Machining Centers
In the machine tool industry, deflection is the enemy. When a milling machine is cutting heavy metal, the rotary table must withstand massive axial and radial cutting forces without yielding. We know that runout accuracy is everything. Our crossed roller bearings are precision-ground to achieve micron-level rotational accuracy, providing the ultra-high rigidity needed to ensure your CNC machines deliver flawless surface finishes.
3. Medical Scanners & Radar Systems
For CT scanner gantries and military radar tracking systems, the bearing must handle heavy loads while maintaining incredibly smooth, vibration-free rotation. We understand that fluctuating friction torque can ruin an image or a signal. That is why we focus on ultra-precision micro-finishing of our cylindrical rollers and raceways, ensuring whisper-quiet and perfectly consistent rotation.
4. The “Assembly & Space” Challenge (Why We use the RU/XSU Series)
We also understand the headaches of the assembly line. Designing a complex press-fit housing for a standard bearing takes up valuable space and adds weight. This is why we heavily support applications using the Mounting-Hole Type CRBs (like the THK RU or INA XSU series). By allowing you to bolt the bearing directly to your machine frame, we help you eliminate bulky housings, reduce overall weight, and drastically speed up your assembly process.
Contact us withno hesitation sales@zmsbearing.com when you have any inquiry related to crossed roller bearings.
