SKF
Thin Section Bearings
SKF thin section bearings are precision ball and roller bearings with extremely thin, constant cross-sections relative to their bore diameter. They are designed to save space and weight in applications where large shaft diameters meet tight spatial constraints, such as robotics, medical scanners (CT), radar antennas, semiconductor manufacturing, and rotary index tables. The range includes Reali-Slim thin section bearings (imperial), Ultra-Slim bearings (even thinner cross-sections), and customised thin section solutions. They come in angular contact, radial contact, and four-point contact configurations. Despite their thin walls, they provide high running accuracy, stiffness, and load capacity through optimised internal geometry and precision manufacturing. SKF’s thin section bearings enable designers to create lighter, more compact machines without compromising performance or reliability.
Send an Enquiry
We'll get back to you on WhatsApp.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Space and Weight Savings
Consistent thin cross-section across large diameter range.
High Precision
ABEC 5, 7, and 9 tolerances for accurate rotation.
Multiple Contact Types
Angular, radial, and four-point contact for varied load mixes.
Corrosion-Resistant Options
Stainless steel and thin dense chrome coatings.
Standard and Custom Sizes
Reali-Slim stock programme plus custom diameters and configurations.
Integral Gearing Possible
Can incorporate gear teeth for direct drive rotary tables.
Thin Section Bearings in Medical CT Scanners
CT scanners require a large-diameter, lightweight bearing to smoothly rotate the X-ray source and detectors around the patient. SKF thin section bearings provide the necessary low-torque, silent rotation, and high roundness accuracy essential for artefact-free imaging.
Reali-Slim vs. Ultra-Slim: Choosing the Right Series
Reali-Slim bearings offer a proven standard in inch sizes with versatile configurations. Ultra-Slim bearings push the cross-section to weight ratios even further, ideal for the latest generation of compact robotic joints and aerospace gimbals where every gram counts.