SKF
Cylindrical Roller Bearings
SKF cylindrical roller bearings feature cylindrical rolling elements that make line contact with the raceways, delivering high radial load capacity, high stiffness, and excellent speed capability in a separable design. The rollers are guided by integral flanges on one of the bearing rings, while the separable inner and outer rings can be mounted independently — a significant advantage during installation and maintenance. SKF offers cylindrical roller bearings in single row (NU, NJ, NUP, N, NF designs), double row (NNU, NN designs), and multi-row configurations (including four-row bearings for rolling mill work rolls). Variants include high-capacity designs with increased roller counts, full complement bearings without cages (maximum load capacity), sealed bearings for contamination protection, and hybrid ceramic cylindrical roller bearings for high-speed applications requiring electrical insulation. For design engineers specifying machine tool spindles, electric motor rotor shafts, industrial gearboxes, and steel mill equipment, SKF cylindrical roller bearings provide the rigidity and precision essential for accurate, reliable operation.
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Separable Rings Enable Independent Mounting
Each bearing ring can be mounted separately — the inner ring with roller and cage assembly fits on the shaft, while the outer ring installs in the housing — simplifying assembly and inspection procedures.
High Radial Load Capacity with Line Contact
Cylindrical rollers distribute loads across a line rather than a point, enabling SKF cylindrical roller bearings to support substantially heavier radial loads than comparably sized ball bearings.
Axial Displacement Capability (Non-Locating Bearings)
NU and N design bearings permit axial displacement of the shaft relative to the housing, accommodating thermal expansion and contraction in long shaft arrangements.
High-Capacity & Full Complement Designs
SKF high-capacity cylindrical roller bearings combine the load capacity of full complement bearings with the speed capability of caged bearings, while true full complement versions maximize roller count for extreme load applications.
Hybrid Ceramic Variants for Electrical Insulation
Cylindrical roller bearings with silicon nitride rolling elements eliminate the risk of electrical erosion from stray currents, a critical requirement in variable-speed motor and generator applications.
Super-Precision Grades for Machine Tool Spindles
SKF super-precision cylindrical roller bearings, manufactured to P4A and SP tolerance classes, deliver the running accuracy and rigidity required for high-speed machining centers and grinding spindles.
Understanding Single Row vs. Double Row Cylindrical Roller Bearings
The choice between single row and double row cylindrical roller bearings depends primarily on the load magnitude and stiffness requirements of the application. Single row bearings (NU, NJ, NUP designs) are the most common configuration, providing excellent radial load capacity and high-speed capability in a compact package. They are often paired with an angular contact ball bearing or four-point contact ball bearing at the locating position to handle axial loads. Double row cylindrical roller bearings (NNU, NN designs) offer significantly higher radial load capacity and greater rigidity, making them the preferred choice for machine tool main spindles, where minimizing deflection under cutting forces is critical. Both configurations benefit from SKF's advanced cage designs, optimized roller profiles that reduce edge stresses, and the option of tapered bores for precise radial internal clearance adjustment.
Key Applications: From Machine Tools to Steel Mills
Cylindrical roller bearings are essential components in applications demanding high radial stiffness and precision. In CNC machine tool spindles, super-precision NN and NNU series double row cylindrical roller bearings maintain the tight tolerances required for accurate metal cutting at high speeds. Large industrial electric motors use single row cylindrical roller bearings at the drive end to accommodate the heavy radial loads and thermal expansion of the rotor shaft. Steel rolling mills depend on four-row cylindrical roller bearings to withstand the extreme loads, high temperatures, and water contamination present in work roll and backup roll positions. Wind turbine gearboxes employ cylindrical roller bearings to support planet gears and intermediate shafts under varying load conditions. Railway traction motors, marine propulsion shafts, and large industrial fans all benefit from the robustness and reliability of SKF cylindrical roller bearing technology.