NKX17 -Z NKE needle roller bearing

NKE NKX17-Z Combined Needle Roller Bearing (Locating Unit with Cover)

The NKE NKX17-Z is a high-performance combined rolling bearing that integrates a radial needle roller bearing and a thrust ball bearing into a single, compact unit. The unique feature of the -Z version is the integrated steel cover over the thrust section. This design creates an effective gap seal that prevents lubricant loss due to centrifugal force and protects the thrust raceway from dust and debris. This makes the bearing ideal for tight-space applications requiring simultaneous handling of radial loads and unidirectional axial loads at high rotational speeds.

Application

• Precision Machine Tools: Guidance for auxiliary shafts and spindles requiring rigid axial locating.
• Automation & Robotics: Compact drives and joints where minimizing the bearing arrangement size is critical.
• Automotive Industry: Control mechanisms, pumps, and transmission components.
• Packaging & Textile Machinery: Actuators requiring high-frequency movements on 17 mm shafts.
• Vertical Spindles: The -Z cover prevents lubricant from leaking out of the thrust section due to gravity.

Technical Specification

• Manufacturer: NKE Bearings (Austria).
• Designation: NKX17-Z.
• Dimensions: 17 mm (ID under needles) × 26 mm (OD) × 25 mm (Total width).
• Type: Combined (radial needle + shielded thrust ball bearing).
• Protection: Integrated steel thrust cover (-Z).
• Cages: Precision-guided steel cages ensuring dynamic stability.

Features and Benefits

• Integrated Protection (-Z): The cover protects against contamination and allows for longer maintenance-free intervals.
• High-Speed Capability: The use of balls in the thrust section allows for higher RPMs compared to roller versions (NKXR).
• Space-Saving Design: Eliminates the need for separate radial and thrust bearings, shortening the equipment design.
• Austrian NKE Quality: Precision engineering results in low vibration and quiet operation.
• Shaft-as-Raceway: Enables the use of a stiffer shaft (requires a hardened and ground shaft surface).

Why Choose This Product

By choosing the NKE NKX17-Z, you are investing in a "Premium Locating Unit." In 170 mm shaft applications involving complex loads, standard needle bearings often fall short. The NKX17-Z with its additional thrust section cover provides security for your machinery – minimizing the risk of failure due to lubrication loss and ensuring maximum shaft guidance precision in an extremely small footprint.