In many applications, it is frequently the case that one of the main dimensions of the rolling bearing is fixed by the overall design of the machine or piece of equipment. Due to the strength specifications of the shaft, this is generally the bore diameter of FAG or INA bearing.

For small shaft diameters, suitable bearings are ball bearings – especially FAG deep groove ball bearings – and INA needle roller bearings. Where large diameters are present, the bearings available are cylindrical, tapered, spherical and toroidal roller bearings, as well as deep groove ball bearings, but not excluding needle roller bearings.

A load carrying capacity of approximately the same magnitude can be achieved both with bearings that are narrow and have a large outside diameter and also with bearings that are wide and have a smaller outside diameter.

Cylindrical roller bearings with approximately comparable basic load rating C₀

INA bearings with small cross-sectional height

If the design envelope is restricted in a radial direction – for example in high performance gearboxes for vehicles – bearings with a small crosssectional height such as roller and needle roller and cage assemblies, INA drawn cup needle roller bearings with or without an inner ring, are particularly suitable. These bearings have high radial load carrying capacity due to the line contact with low section height.

INA Bearings with small crosssectional height – comparison of radial section height

1. Needle roller and cage assembly
2. INA Drawn cup needle roller bearing with open ends
3. INA Needle roller bearing without inner ring
4. INA Needle roller bearing with inner ring

Bearings with small axial design envelope and combined load

If the design envelope is small in an axial direction, the bearings suitable for bearing positions subjected to radial and axial load are certain series of cylindrical roller bearings – e.g. semi-locating bearings NJ in conjunction with deep groove ball bearings or combined needle roller bearings.

Semi-locating bearing for supporting axial forces in one direction in conjunction with a deep groove ball bearing

1. FAG Cylindrical roller bearing NJ (semi-locating bearing)
2. FAG Deep groove ball bearing (locating bearing, functioning here as a semi-locating bearing)

Combined needle roller bearings for supporting high radial forces and axial forces in one or both directions

1. INA Needle roller/axial deep groove ball bearing, without inner ring, without end cap for axial forces in one direction
2. INA Needle roller/angular contact ball bearing with inner ring, for axial forces in both directions

Bearings with pure axial load carrying capacity

If the bearing arrangement is under axial load only, suitable bearings are axial needle roller and axial cylindrical roller and cage assemblies, axial needle roller and axial cylindrical roller bearings and axial deep groove ball bearings with a small axial section height.

Axial bearings – comparison of cross-sections

1. INA Axial needle roller and cage assembly
2. INA Axial needle roller bearing
3. FAG Axial deep groove ball bearing
4. INA Axial cylindrical roller bearing