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Industry Innovation: New "Ball Roller" Technology Bridges the Gap

2026-08-21

The engineering world is not static, and the division between ball and roller bearings is beginning to blur with new, innovative designs. A recent breakthrough from Schaeffler introduces a new product family that aims to combine the best of both worlds: the "ball roller" bearing .

According to the company, the development began when engineers discovered that in a standard ball bearing, only about 70% of the ball's width is actually under load during operation . The outer 15% on each side of the ball diameter is essentially redundant. By removing these "unloaded" areas, Schaeffler created a rolling element that retains the axial load capabilities of a spherical ball but allows for a 20% reduction in the bearing's mass and width .

This dramatic reduction in size offers significant advantages. It means engineers can design more compact and lightweight machinery without sacrificing performance. The new design also allows for a higher filling capacity; by fitting up to 50% more rolling elements into the same space, the bearing can withstand extreme loads . Schaeffler has already developed different versions of the ball roller, including designs for industrial gearboxes, electric motors, and even automotive wheel bearings, where the reduced friction can contribute to lower fuel consumption

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Industry Innovation: New "Ball Roller" Technology Bridges the Gap