Thin Section Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Aircraft Actuation Systems: Used in flight control surfaces like flaps, ailerons, and rudders. Their lightweight and high-load capacity are critical here.

Helicopter Rotor Systems: In swashplates and rotor head assemblies, where they manage complex loads in a very confined space.

Jet Engine Components: In auxiliary systems, gearboxes, and other internal mechanisms where high temperatures and speeds are present.

Satellite & Spacecraft Mechanisms: In solar array drives, antenna pointing systems, and reaction wheels, where every gram counts and reliability is paramount.

Missile Guidance Systems: For gimbals that require precise, friction-free movement.

2. Robotics

Robotic Arms: Used in the joints of articulated robots. Their thin section allows for slimmer, more dexterous arm designs, while their rigidity ensures precise positioning without "play."

End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT): In grippers and tool changers that require high precision.

Cobots (Collaborative Robots): Essential for creating the lightweight and safe-to-operate-around structure of collaborative robots.

3. Machine Tool & Industrial Automation

High-Speed Machining Spindles: While often larger bearings are used for the main spindle, thin-section angular contacts are found in ancillary shafts, tool changers, and high-speed auxiliary heads.

Rotary Tables: On 4th and 5th axis rotary tables, they provide high axial stiffness to resist cutting forces and maintain positioning accuracy.

Precision Indexing Heads: Where accurate and repeatable angular positioning is required.

4. Medical & Semiconductor Equipment

CT & MRI Scanners: In the gantry that rotates around the patient. Their precision ensures clear imaging, and their compact design helps reduce the overall size of the machine.

Surgical Robots: In the arms and wrists of systems like the da Vinci Surgical System, where space is extremely limited and absolute precision is non-negotiable.

Semiconductor Wafer Handling Robots: Used in vacuum environments to transport wafers between process chambers. They offer low particle generation and high cleanliness.

5. Optical and Instrumentation

Pan-Tilt-Tilt (PTZ) Cameras: For professional filmmaking and surveillance, providing smooth and precise movement.

Laser Scanning Systems: In LIDAR and other scanning devices where a mirror or sensor needs to rotate at high speed with minimal inertia.

Telescope Mounts: Especially in large professional telescopes, where they support massive structures while allowing for incredibly smooth and precise tracking of celestial objects.