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When your assembly demands maximum load capacity in the smallest possible footprint, standard ball bearings simply don't fit the bill. Engineers, machine builders, and repair technicians working on gearboxes, two-stroke engines, textile machinery, and industrial automation equipment need a bearing that packs radial strength into a drawn-cup shell — that's exactly what the HK series needle roller bearing delivers. Whether you're replacing a worn unit or specifying a new design, finding the right size from a single trusted source saves time and reduces downtime.
These HK series drawn-cup needle roller bearings feature a thin-walled, cold-drawn steel outer cup with a closed end on one side and an open end for shaft insertion. The rolling elements are precision needle rollers retained within the cup. Inner diameter (ID) ranges from 3 mm (≈ 0.118 in) to 60 mm (≈ 2.362 in), outer diameter (OD) from 6.5 mm to 68 mm, and height (H) from 6 mm to 46 mm across the full size range. Material is typically bearing-grade carbon steel with a hardened raceway surface; finish is typically bright or lightly oiled for corrosion inhibition during storage.
Typical use cases include: replacing HK-series bearings in motorcycle and small-engine crankshafts (long-tail keyword: HK needle bearing crankshaft replacement), fitting drawn-cup needle bearings into CNC router spindle housings (miniature needle roller bearing for CNC spindle), and sourcing metric needle bearings for industrial gearbox overhaul (metric drawn cup needle roller bearing gearbox repair).
| Bearing Type | Drawn-Cup Needle Roller Bearing (HK Series) |
|---|---|
| Standard | ISO 3245 / DIN 617 |
| Inner Diameter (ID) Range | 3 mm – 60 mm (≈ 0.118 in – 2.362 in) |
| Outer Diameter (OD) Range | 6.5 mm – 68 mm (≈ 0.256 in – 2.677 in) |
| Height (H) Range | 6 mm – 46 mm (≈ 0.236 in – 1.811 in) |
| Cup Material | Cold-drawn bearing-grade carbon steel |
| Raceway Hardness | See variant options |
| Roller Material | Bearing-grade steel |
| Cage / Retainer | Integrated drawn-cup shell (cageless needle pack) |
| Sealing | Open (no seals or shields); grease or oil lubrication required |
| Lubrication | Grease or circulating oil (application-dependent) |
| Operating Temperature | See variant options |
| Radial Load Capacity | See variant options |
| Unit Sold | 1 piece per order (multi-piece options available via Qty selector) |
The HK designation follows the format HK[ID][H] where the first two digits indicate the inner diameter in mm and the last two indicate the height in mm — for example, HK1512 has a 15 mm ID and 12 mm height. Measure your shaft diameter (= bearing ID) and your housing bore (= bearing OD) with a micrometer, then match to the size listed in the variant dropdown as "ID x OD x Height". When in doubt, cross-reference the original bearing's stamped designation.
HK bearings are drawn-cup type: the outer cup is the bearing's outer ring, so the shaft runs directly on the needle rollers inside the cup. NK bearings have a machined solid outer ring and require a separate inner ring or a hardened shaft. HK bearings are more compact and lighter; NK bearings are used where higher precision or a separate inner ring is needed. These listings are HK series drawn-cup type.
Yes. Because HK drawn-cup bearings have no inner ring, the shaft itself acts as the inner raceway. The shaft surface must be hardened to at least 58–62 HRC and ground to an appropriate surface finish (typically Ra 0.2–0.4 µm) to prevent premature wear of the needle rollers. Using a soft shaft will significantly reduce bearing life.
Standard HK series bearings are made from carbon steel and are not inherently corrosion-resistant. They are typically supplied with a light preservative oil coating for storage. For wet or corrosive environments, apply a compatible bearing grease immediately upon installation and consider stainless-steel alternatives if prolonged moisture exposure is expected. Avoid direct water ingress during operation.
For most applications, a lithium-based NLGI 2 grease is suitable. For high-speed applications, a low-viscosity circulating oil may be preferred. Pack the bearing cavity with grease before installation and re-lubricate at intervals appropriate to your operating speed and load. Avoid over-greasing, which can cause heat build-up at high RPM.
Press the bearing into the housing bore using a suitable press tool or bearing driver that contacts only the outer cup rim — never strike the needle rollers or the open end directly. Ensure the housing bore is clean, within tolerance (typically H7 fit), and lightly oiled. Insert the shaft carefully through the open end to avoid displacing the needle rollers. If the bearing is a tight press fit, chill the bearing or warm the housing slightly to ease installation.
No. HK drawn-cup needle roller bearings are designed exclusively for radial loads. They have no axial load capacity. If your application involves axial (thrust) forces, you must add a separate thrust bearing or washer in the assembly. Applying axial loads to an HK bearing will cause rapid failure of the needle rollers and cup.
The default quantity is 1 piece per order. If you need multiple pieces, select the appropriate quantity option from the Qty(pcs) dropdown before adding to cart. Bulk pricing may apply for larger quantities — contact us for volume orders.
