Crossed roller bearings are characterized by cylindrical rollers arranged in an orthogonal pattern, with each roller positioned at a right angle to its adjacent counterpart. The roller guide method can be displayed as a cage, separators or a full complement. This unique configuration allows the bearing to support a variety of radial, axial and tilting moment loads simultaneously.
Because of their unique advantages and impressive versatility, crossed roller bearings are widely employed across more complex applications—such as the humanoid robot—to ensure smooth, precise and reliable movement. They are most commonly used in rotary actuators to facilitate the movement of larger joints such as shoulders, elbows and wrists.
BENEFITS OF CROSSED ROLLER BEARINGS
Whether employed in humanoid robots, industrial arms or machine tools, crossed roller bearings share a common thread of unique advantages that make them crucial for an optimal design:
- Precise Movement: Crossed roller bearings offer exceptional rotational accuracy with minimal friction torque. This ensures smooth and precise movement for tasks requiring fine motor skills, such as manipulating fragile objects or performing intricate maneuvers.
- High Load Capacity & Rigidity: Designed with a unique configuration that supports loads in multiple directions, crossed roller bearings offer a high level of rigidity and stability. This reduces deflection under load, enabling precise and consistent movement.
- Compact Design: Crossed roller bearings feature a compact design, making them ideal for applications where space is limited. Combined with a high load-carrying capacity and rigidity, this yields agile, space-efficient designs without sacrificing performance.
- Enhanced Durability: Constructed from materials like high-grade steel and stainless steel, crossed roller bearings offer excellent wear and corrosion resistance. By facilitating a longer lifespan and reliable performance, they reduce maintenance and downtime.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: Because crossed roller bearings minimize friction torque, this ensures that complex applications like humanoid robots can operate with optimal energy consumption—thus enhancing robotic performance and extending battery life.
DELIVERING A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH
Crossed roller bearings offer significant versatility, as they can be tailored beyond standard sizes and designs to meet specific application requirements. Customization options include extended inner and outer rings, custom-threaded holes, and precise torque and clearance specifications.
To further enhance their performance and reliability, our crossed roller bearings are available with or without seals. The use of seals play an important role in protecting articulating joints from contaminants like dirt, dust and water, which ultimately ensures a longer lifespan.
We also recognize the tight timeframes that robotic engineers face. That’s why CCTY delivers customized samples within just 30 days when provided detailed prints and design requirements.
