Thin Section four point contact Ball Bearings

Extreme Compactness: By replacing a pair of bearings with a single, thinner unit, they save significant axial space, weight, and parts count.

Combined Load Capacity: Their standout feature is the ability to support radial, axial, and moment loads simultaneously in a single bearing.

High Stiffness and Precision: They offer high rigidity against tilting, making them excellent for applications requiring precise positioning.

Simplified Design and Assembly: Using one bearing instead of two simplifies housing design, shaft design, and the mounting process.

Primary Applications

1. Robotics 

Robotic Rotating Joints: This is a classic use case. In the "shoulder," "waist," or "wrist" joints of articulated robots, the bearing must support the weight of the entire arm and payload (radial load), the force from lifting (axial load), and the moment created by the arm's leverage.

Cobots (Collaborative Robots): Their compactness is vital for creating the slim, lightweight joints of collaborative robots.

Gripper Rotation Units: In end-of-arm tooling that requires precise rotation under load.

2. Rotary Tables and Indexing Heads

Vertical Machining Center (VMC) Rotary Tables: The bearing supports the weight of the workpiece (axial load), cutting forces (radial and moment loads), and provides the stiffness needed for accurate machining.

CNC 4th and 5th Axis Tables: Their compact design allows for a slimmer table profile, while their moment load capacity ensures the table doesn't tilt under side loads from the cutting tool.

Precision Indexing Drives: Used in automated assembly and inspection stations where precise angular positioning is required under load.

3. Aerospace & Defense

Radar and Satellite Antenna Pedestals: The bearing allows the antenna to rotate smoothly while resisting wind loads (moment) and its own weight (axial load).

Gimbal Systems: In missile guidance systems and camera stabilization platforms, where compact size and multi-directional load capacity are critical.

Turret Systems: In military vehicles, where the turret ring must handle the weight of the weapon system and the massive moment loads generated during firing and movement.

4. Medical and Semiconductor Equipment

CT/MRI Gantries: While larger bearings are used for the main rotation, four-point contact bearings are often used in auxiliary rotating assemblies within the machine.

Semiconductor Wafer Handling Robots: In the "shoulder" and "elbow" joints of robots that transport wafers in a vacuum, where compactness and reliability are paramount.

5. Other Industrial Machinery

Large-Diameter, Low-Profile Slewing Rings: This is a very common application. You find them in:

Excavators and Cranes: In the "slew ring" between the undercarriage and the upper structure.

Wind Turbine Yaw and Pitch Drives: To orient the nacelle and adjust the blade angle.

Stacker Cranes: In warehouse automation.