Needle roller bearings use needles instead of balls as their rolling elements. The simpler term roller bearing or needle roller bearing is sometimes used. The term "needle" usually means that the length is several times larger than the diameter.

Compared with ball bearing, needle bearing has the advantage of stronger bearing capacity. The theoretical contact is the comparison of a line (needle bearing) and a point (ball bearing).

The key components are cage (also known as separator or retainer) and needle roller. Other components (if any) basically act as inner or outer rings.

Hartford Technologies produces a variety of needle roller designs. The combination of plastic molded retainer and bearing grade steel roller is an option. Alternative needle roller bearing designs include metal stamped cages and chrome steel needle rollers. In addition, sometimes the cage/retainer is machined.

In other cases, there is no cage. "Full" needle roller bearings use the maximum number of rollers. Before assembling the needle roller bearing on the shaft, the roller is sometimes fixed in place with grease. In other cases, temporary "plugs" hold the bearings together until assembly. In other cases, the needles are fixed together with each other by virtue of their close proximity and geometric shape, similar to the working mode of trapezoidal stone in the masonry arch.

Hartford Technologies manufactures needle roller bearings for radial loads requiring low profile. These are very easy to install.

Needle roller bearings can reduce friction and effectively transmit torque in applications such as off-highway and oilfield equipment, drive shafts, outboard engines and air compressors. High-load needle roller bearings are specified for applications involving static loads, low speeds or vibrations.

Hartford Technologies is a multinational supplier of needle roller bearings, whose applications include automotive steering and seat systems, agricultural equipment, electronic products and medical equipment.

Hartford Technologies bearing design engineer is one of the most knowledgeable engineers in the industry. Our ability to manufacture on both sides of the world provides Hartford customers with great advantages in cost and flexibility. Our prototype laboratory and manufacturing facilities are suitable for rapid turnover, and can meet major projects with strict delivery requirements. Hartford Technologies has passed ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001 and WBENC (female owned) certification.