Wire-roller bearings are widely used in military equipment because they meet the following stringent requirements: quick and convenient installation and maintenance, compact structure, simple operation, and enhanced reliability. These bearings are commonly employed as slewing ring bearings in radar systems, where they can withstand heavy loads while occupying minimal space, fully satisfying operational needs.

Complete explanation of all wire race bearing brands in Europe and America
Core principle of steel wire raceway bearing: replacing the integral bearing ring with 4 independent quenched steel wires, four point contact ball/cross roller, radial+axial+overturning moment omnidirectional bearing, ultimate lightweight and lightness; Europe and America are divided into four major camps: German domestic professional manufacturers, ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde, American military aviation brands, and European niche specialty manufacturers. They are comprehensively sorted by brand, full range model, structure, positioning, and application.
1、 Franke GmbH, Germany (inventor of steel wire track bearings and global market leader)
Brand Fundamentals
In 1936, the patent for the four wire steel wire raceway was invented by the original factory in Arlen, Germany. It is the only manufacturer that covers the entire product line of rotating split bearings, integrated thin bearings, finished slewing bearings, and linear steel wire guides. It is a benchmark for automation/medical/textile standard parts.
Complete product line and series
1. Split bare bearing (customer needs to process and install the base)
LEL Series | Precision Grinding Ball (P4 High Precision)
CNC mirror grinding of raceway, ultra-low runout; Submodel LEL1.5/2.5/4/5/7 (number=ball diameter mm); Inner diameter of 70-2000mm; specialized for medical CT, semiconductor turntables, and optical equipment.
LER Series | Economy Stamping Ball (P6 Universal Grade)
Stamped formed steel wire, with the highest cost-effectiveness; LER1.5/2/3/4/5； Inner diameter 40-1800mm; knitting large circular machine AGV、 Main models of packaging dividing discs.
LEW series | Cross roller steel wire bearing (high rigidity heavy-duty)
Cross cylindrical roller line contact, overturning stiffness is 3-4 times that of ball bearing type; LEW4/7； Inner diameter of 150-1200mm; welding positioner, heavy-duty machine tool, photovoltaic tracking bracket.
LEG Series | Double Ring Split Large Diameter Ball
Detachable open double row steel wire ring, oversized hollow; Radar, large circular detection equipment, seventh axis circular guide rail.
2. Integrated ultra-thin finished bearings (with built-in steel shell, no processing base)
LSA series Slim thin integrated bearing: built-in steel wire raceway+complete inner and outer steel rings; Ready to use out of the box; Small gimbal, instrument turntable, micro automation.
3. LV finished rotary bearing assembly (flange seal/optional gear, directly assembled)
LVA/LVB: Toothless Smooth Rotation (Lightweight Steel/Aluminum Shell)
LVD/LVE: External Gear Drive Rotary Assembly (Steel Shell Heavy Duty/Aluminum Shell Lightweight)
LVC: Double row ball high dynamic rotation
LVG: Double row cross roller heavy-duty aluminum rotary
Comes with flange mounting holes, double-sided dust-proof seals, and pre filled with lubricating grease, AGV、 Robot base, automated positioner.
4. Franke Linear Linear Steel Wire Track Guide
LWK: Standard ball slide seat, high-speed and smooth
LWR: Cross Roller Heavy Duty Sliding Seat
LWS: Narrow ultra-thin slide seat
LWF: Multi flange installation slide
Aluminum profile guide rail embedded with steel wire raceway, weighing only 50% of traditional steel guide rail; 3C testing, medical linear module, lightweight gantry equipment.
core advantage
The most complete standard part specifications and short delivery cycle; Pre tightening adjustable; Support stainless steel anti-corrosion and ceramic non-magnetic ball customization; Civil automation has the best cost-effectiveness.
2、 German ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde (ThyssenKrupp, ultra large diameter steel wire rotary bearing faucet)
Brand Fundamentals
The world's largest manufacturer of slewing bearings, specializing in large diameter heavy-duty customization of steel wire raceways, with sizes ranging from 80mm to 14m. It is a core supplier of military, telescope, wind power, and large engineering machinery.
Full range product classification
Single row four point ball bearing steel wire raceway slewing support
Aluminum/steel support ring+four stainless steel wires, lightweight and deformation resistant; Suitable for lightweight large turntables, lighting stages, and inspection rings.
Cross roller steel wire raceway slewing support
Heavy duty high torque, supporting internal and external gear machining; Military turret, wind power tracking, large welding positioner, astronomical telescope bracket.
Double/triple row composite steel wire raceway bearings
Ultra high load-bearing capacity, eccentric and inclined heavy load conditions; Port equipment, heavy engineering machinery, and special vehicle rotation.
Customized integrated functions
Built in slip ring, brake, encoder installation position, special anti-corrosion coating (anodized, hard chrome plating); Military vehicle mounted radar, large medical racks.
Core Features
Exclusive advantage of ultra large size; The support ring material can be selected from aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium alloy; Allow slight deformation of the base, with steel wire adaptive compensation for clearance; The steel wire raceway can be replaced separately, and the overall repair cost is low.
Differences from Franke
Franke specializes in small and medium-sized standard parts; Rothe Erde specializes in large diameter, heavy-duty, and military grade customization, with almost no standardized small parts, all customized according to demand.
3、 Kaydon, a subsidiary of RBC Group in the United States, WireX ®  Military aviation steel wire bearings
Brand Fundamentals
The benchmark for thin-walled bearings in the United States, WireX was launched in the 1970s ®  Steel wire raceway patent, specialized for aviation, military, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aerospace, the first brand of steel wire bearings in North America.
Core product line WireX ®  complete series
1. WireX Ball four point ball steel wire bearing
Stainless steel wire raceway+aluminum inner and outer support rings, reducing weight by 60%; Standard single row/double row structure; The minimum aperture is 50mm and the maximum outer diameter is 4.2 meters.
Subdivision models:
WXB: Standard ball bearing type, universal aviation gimbal, unmanned aerial vehicle turntable
WXBS: Stainless steel fully corrosion-resistant, marine and humid military equipment
2. WireX Cross Roller Steel Wire Bearing
High rigidity in line contact, resistant to impact overturning; Military turret, missile launcher, vehicle mounted radar, satellite tracking mechanism.
3. WireX Gear Integrated Wire Rotary Assembly with Teeth
Integrated gears with inner and outer rings, complete sealing, pre installed with lubricating grease; Vehicle mounted weapon station, electro-optical pod, military AGV.
Unique technological advantages
All stainless steel wire+anodized aluminum ring, extremely strong corrosion resistance;
Suitable for lightweight installation structures that are non rigid and have poor flatness, with steel wire adaptive deformation and minimal torque fluctuations;
Customized solutions for aviation grade vacuum, low temperature (-55 ℃), and non-magnetic ceramic ball bearings;
The steel wire raceway can be replaced separately without the need to replace the bearings as a whole, reducing aviation maintenance costs.
Application scenarios
Military aircraft electro-optical pods, unmanned aerial vehicle gimbal, armored vehicle turret, satellite ground tracking stations, ship maritime radar, high-end medical nuclear magnetic racks.
4、 RBC Bearings (Industrial Special Steel Wire Bearings, North American Industrial Automation Supporting)
brand positioning
After acquiring Kaydon, we simultaneously launched our own industrial grade steel wire raceway series, which combines military and general automation, and is the mainstream choice for original equipment matching in North America.
Two major product lines
RBC Wire Race Standard Industrial Standard Series
Benchmarking against Franke LER/TEL in Germany, standardized split steel wire bearings for small and medium-sized diameters; Ball bearing 1.5~7mm, inner diameter 60~1200mm; North American textile, packaging, robot joints replace Franke.
RBC Custom Heavy Wire Race Heavy Duty Custom Series
Thickened steel wire for steel support ring, heavy-duty industrial turntable, heavy-duty AGV, machine tool indexing table; Can be integrated with gears and encoder flanges for processing.
characteristic
There are abundant standard parts in the imperial system, which are compatible with American standard equipment; Adequate inventory and spot goods, fast local delivery in North America; The anti-corrosion and dustproof sealing solution is suitable for outdoor industrial environments in North America.
5、 European niche professional steel wire track bearing manufacturer (Germany/Switzerland/Italy)
August Kuhfuss Ohlendorf GmbH, Germany
German veteran special raceway manufacturer, specializing in micro steel wire bearings (minimum inner diameter 30mm); Micro medical devices, endoscope gimbals, precision optical lenses, and small testing instruments; All high-precision ground steel wires, P4/P2 ultra precision grade, with extremely small cross-sectional dimensions (thickness 3-6mm).
2. Emil V ö gelin AG, Switzerland
Swiss high-precision special bearings, with steel wire raceways specializing in ultra-high cleanliness and vacuum working conditions; Semiconductor vacuum chamber, vacuum coating turntable, lithium battery testing equipment; A complete solution for oil-free clean lubrication, ceramic ball bearings, and non-magnetic stainless steel.
3. RiTeBo GmbH, Germany
Professional manufacturer of steel wire raceway linear guide rail, benchmarking against Franke linear series; Narrow monorail steel wire module, miniature linear sliding table; Automated 3C, electronic testing, and small conveying equipment; Aluminum profiles are lightweight and priced lower than Franke linear guides.
4. Iraundi, Italy
Southern European rotary steel wire bearing manufacturer, specializing in small and medium-sized toothed steel wire rotary bearings; Photovoltaic tracking bracket, packaging rotating station, lightweight engineering machinery; High cost-effectiveness, suitable for EU civilian automation batch equipment.
6、 Horizontal comparison table of mainstream European and American steel wire bearing brands
table
Brand origin, core product line, precision level, size range, core advantages, industry benchmarking, and competitive products
Franke GmbH in Germany offers split ball/roller bearings, integrated thin bearings, finished product rotation, linear guide P4 precision/P6 universal inner diameter 40-2000mm standard parts with the most complete range of standard parts, short delivery time, and full coverage of linear and rotary technology in textile, medical, general robots, automation Kaydon, RBC
Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde German large-diameter steel wire slewing support (ball/cross roller) P5/P6 heavy-duty grade 80mm~14m, all customized with ultra large diameter, heavy-duty, military customization, replaceable steel wire wind power, military turret, astronomical telescope, heavy machinery Kaydon WireX heavy-duty model
Kaydon WireX ® (RBC's subsidiary) American aviation military steel wire ball/cross roller rotary P4 aviation precision 50mm~4.2m, British standard lightweight anti-corrosion, low-temperature vacuum, military certified aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicles, aerospace Franke LEL high-precision model
RBC Bearings American Industrial Standard Split Wire Bearings, Heavy Duty Customized Rotary P5/P6 Industrial Grade 60-1200mm Imperial Spot US Standard Spot, North American Local Delivery, Industrial Durable North American Automation, Textile, AGV Franke LER Economy
August Kuhfuss German Micro Ultra Precision Steel Wire Bearing P2/P4 Ultra High Precision 30-300mm Ultra Small Cross Sectional Micro Ultra Thin, Optical Grade Low Bounce Endoscope, Optical Lens, Micro Instrument Franke LEL1.5 Mini Model
Emil V ö gelin (Switzerland) Swiss clean vacuum steel wire bearing P2 ultra precision 80-800mm vacuum oil-free, non-magnetic, semiconductor clean room wafer equipment, vacuum coating Franke customized clean version
RiTeBo (Germany) German wire linear guide module P5 medium precision guide rail width 12-45mm linear module cost-effective, narrow space micro slide table 3C detection, small automated linear mechanism Franke FDB linear guide
Iraundi (Italy) Italian small and medium-sized toothed steel wire rotary assembly P6 universal 100~1000mm EU batch low price, mature photovoltaic matching photovoltaic tracking, packaging machinery Franke LV rotary assembly
7、 Selection Core Differentiation Guide
Small and medium-sized caliber standard automation, balancing rotation and straight line → Franke (unique linear+rotation full coverage standard part)
Aerospace and Military Low Temperature/Vacuum Lightweight → Kaydon WireX
Extra large diameter, heavy engineering machinery, wind power, astronomical equipment → Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde
North American standard equipment, large-scale industrial support → RBC
Micro optics, endoscope, minimal installation space → August Kuhfuss
Semiconductor vacuum cleanroom non-magnetic working conditions → Emil V ö gelin, Switzerland
Just need lightweight linear module, control budget → RiTeBo

Wire-rolled raceway bearings are widely used in textile machinery, particularly in circular knitting machines.

Complete and detailed explanation of the full series of Franke steel wire track (steel wire raceway) bearings in Germany
Franke (Franke GmbH, Allen, Germany) invented the core principle of a four wire steel wire raceway bearing in 1936: replacing the traditional integral bearing ring with four independently quenched steel wires, the ball contacts at four points, and the rolling elements only contact the steel wire raceway and do not directly contact the equipment body; It has five core advantages: ultra compact, lightweight, omnidirectional bearing, adjustable preload, and impact resistance. It is divided into five product lines: rotating steel wire raceway bearings (rotary type), thin integrated bearings, finished rotary bearing assemblies, cross roller steel wire bearings, and linear steel wire track guides. The following full series of classifications, structures, parameters, and applicable scenarios are fully explained.

Franke four wire steel wire principle profile

Structure of rotary bearing components

Linear steel wire guide profile
1、 Basic universal technology (universal across the entire series)
1. Core principles
Four point angular contact four wire steel wire raceway, bearing radial/axial/overturning moment in all directions; The steel wire is chromium silicon quenched hard steel, the rolling element bearing steel, and the cage is made of PA nylon/TPU polyurethane; The pre tension can be freely set, and the rotational damping can be adjusted.
2. General materials and working conditions
Rolling steel wire: quenched and tempered chromium silicon steel; Rolling element: GCr15 bearing steel; Holder: PA66/TPU
Temperature: -30 ℃~+80 ℃, short-term peak value of 100 ℃
Linear velocity: maximum 5m/s for ball bearing type (10m/s without seal); Cross roller maximum 2m/s
Lubrication: Recommended Kl ü ber Isoflex NCA52 low viscosity grease
3. General advantages
The installation space is extremely small, and the same load-bearing section is only one-third of that of traditional thin bearings; Weight reduced by 60%
Steel wire has elasticity, resistance to vibration and impact, and is not easily stuck
No integral ring, the equipment body can be made of lightweight materials such as aluminum, plastic, and stainless steel
Inner diameter 60mm~2000mm, full-size customizable, supports non-magnetic ceramic ball bearings, stainless steel anti-corrosion version
2、 Rotating steel wire raceway bearing components (bare bearings, customers need to process the inner and outer mounting seats themselves)
1. LEL Series | High precision ground circular steel wire ball bearings (flagship precision version)

LEL grinding raceway profile
Core structure
Circular cross-section, CNC precision ground steel wire raceway, raceway contour perfectly fits the ball, with a four point contact ball structure; Standard ball specifications are 1.5/2.5/4/5/7mm.
size range
Installation section height 5.9-20.9mm; inner diameter 70-2000mm; special customized steel wire thickness up to 20mm, ball bearing up to 50mm.
Core Features
Highest precision, extremely low friction, smooth operation, and minimal rotational runout
The pre tightening interval is wide, which can achieve high-precision positioning with zero gap
Excellent impact resistance and elastic cushioning
Applicable Industries
Medical CT/MRI equipment, semiconductor wafer equipment, optical lens turntable, industrial robot joints, precision indexing plates for detection
Standard sub model
LEL1.5, LEL2.5, LEL4, LEL5, LEL7 (number=ball diameter mm)
2. LER Series | Economic shaped rectangular steel wire ball bearing (universal standard version)

LER rectangular shaped raceway
Core structure
Rectangular shaped stamped steel wire raceway, no high-precision grinding required, lower cost; Four point ball contact, with a flatter cross-section than LEL.
size range
Ball bearings 2/3/4/5mm; inner diameter 80-1800mm; moderate installation thickness.
Core Features
High cost-effectiveness, easy installation, medium precision, preferred for batch universal use; Same omnidirectional carrying capacity.
Applicable Industries
Knitting circular knitting machine (Franke classic matching), automated dividing table, packaging machinery, AGV car rotation, lightweight robotic arm
Standard sub model
LER2、LER3、LER4、LER5
3. LEW series | Cross roller steel wire raceway bearing (high rigidity heavy-duty version)

LEW Cross Roller Physical
Core structure
Single row intersecting cylindrical rollers, arranged horizontally in a staggered manner; Grinding steel wire raceway, roller line contact, and overturning stiffness are much higher than ball bearing series.
size range
Roller 4/7mm; inner diameter 150-500mm, large heavy-duty models LEW7-0400, LEW7-0500.
Core Features
Extremely high radial/axial/moment stiffness, with the strongest anti overturning ability
Stable under impact and heavy load conditions, suitable for continuous tilting torque loads
The rotational speed is lower than that of the ball bearing series, with a maximum linear velocity of 2m/s
Applicable Industries
Heavy duty machine tool turntable, welding positioner, heavy-duty AGV, wind power small rotary, laser cutting rotating fixture
Standard sub model
LEW4, LEW7 (number=roller diameter mm)
4. LEG series | Double ring split steel wire bearing (customized with large diameter and large stroke)
Core structure
Two sets of independent steel wire raceway rings combined with double row four point ball structure, with a split design, suitable for ultra large diameter, large opening hollow equipment.
Core Features
Large hollow aperture, split assembly, can be disassembled and assembled on site; Double row lifting capacity, suitable for circular guide rails and large hollow turntables.
Applicable Industries
Large radar, large optical detection ring, hollow robot seventh axis, circular conveyor line
3、 Integrated thin bearing (LSA series, with built-in steel shell, no machining base)
LSA series Slim ultra-thin integrated steel wire bearing
Core structure
Inner and outer ring steel packaging+built-in special-shaped steel wire raceway+ball cage, complete thin bearing finished product, directly replacing traditional ultra-thin equal section bearings.
Dimensions
Ball 4/6/8mm, extremely thin cross-section, ultimate compression of installation space.
Core Features
Ready to use out of the box, no need for customer processing of raceway seats; Cost lower than split bearing components; Medium precision, lightweight.
Applicable Industries
Small camera gimbal, automated small turntable, instrument rotation mechanism, small packaging equipment
4、 Finished slewing bearing assembly (LV full series, with housing/seal/optional gear, complete slewing unit)
No customer processing required, complete rotary bearing, divided into six subcategories: steel shell, aluminum shell, single/double row, with external teeth/without teeth:
1. LVD/LVE | Rotary assembly with external teeth (integrated drive)
LVD: Steel shell+external teeth+steel wire ball bearings+double-sided sealing, heavy-duty drive
LVE: Aluminum alloy shell+external teeth, lightweight and low self weight, AGV、 Preferred for lightweight robots
2. LVA/LVB | toothless smooth surface rotary assembly (driven rotary)
LVA: Steel shell, high load-bearing and wear-resistant
LVB: Aluminum alloy shell, lightweight, low inertia
3. LVC | Double row steel high dynamic rotary assembly
Double row steel wire ball bearings, double load capacity, high acceleration and frequent start stop working conditions
4. LVG | Double row crossed roller aluminum rotary bearing
Cross roller+aluminum shell, high rigidity+lightweight, high torque load, dedicated for photovoltaic tracking bracket and heavy-duty automation positioner
General advantages of assembly
Double sided lip seal for dust and water resistance; Pre installed lubricating grease; Standard installation flange holes, direct bolt assembly; Optional positioning pin and brake disc installation position.
5、 Linear Steel Wire Track Guide System (Linear Motion Product Line, Franke Linear)
Extending the principle of four wire steel wire raceway to linear motion, aluminum guide rail+embedded quenched steel wire raceway, weighing only 50% of traditional steel guide rail, divided into two main structures: single track and double track:

Complete set of linear steel wire guide rail
1. Dual track linear system (standard module)
Composed of * * profile guide rail+ball slider (slide seat) * *, with 4 steel wire raceways built into the guide rail; The slider can be disassembled and assembled in the later stage, without disassembling the main body of the equipment.
Specification and dimensions: 12/16/20/25/30/35/45, a total of 6 standard widths
A single guide rail can be up to 4m long, and multiple sections can be spliced for unlimited travel
2. Single track split linear system (customized narrow space)
Two independent single guide rails, with adjustable spacing between rails; Roller boots can be directly attached to the device without the need for an additional slider base, making it extremely compact.
3. Matching slide/roller shoe subdivision
LWK: Standard ball slide seat, high-speed and smooth
LWR: Cross roller slide seat, high rigidity heavy-duty
LWS: Narrow ultra-thin slide seat, narrow installation space
LWF: Flange mounting slide, multiple mounting holes on the side/bottom
Core advantages of linear guide rail
Aluminum matrix+steel wire raceway, lightweight, low driving energy consumption, high acceleration
The steel wire raceway can be replaced separately, and the guide rail profile can be reused with low maintenance costs
Comes with felt/metal scraping dust accessories, optional clamping brake slider
Applicable Industries
Longmen light machine tool, packaging and conveying, medical equipment linear module, 3C testing equipment, automated doors and windows, solar photovoltaic handling
6、 Franke Full Series Selection Comparison Table
table
Series rolling element raceway process accuracy level stiffness cost core application
LEL Ball CNC Grinding Ultra High High Precision Rotary Table for Medical, Optical, and Semiconductor Applications
LER ball stamping special-shaped medium to low medium knitting machine, universal automated indexing disc
LEW Cross Roller Grinding Medium, Ultra, High, Medium, and Heavy duty Displacement Machine, Heavy duty AGV
LEG Double Row Ball Stamping/Grinding Medium, High, Medium, and Large Hollow Ring Equipment
LSA ball shaped stamping ordinary low and medium-sized integrated thin bearings
LV (A/B/C/D/E/G) ball/roller with built-in steel wire for high, medium, and high finished product slewing support, toothed drive turntable
LWK/LWR/LWS linear ball/roller embedded steel wire medium high to extremely high medium lightweight linear motion module
7、 Summary of typical industry applications
Medical equipment: LEL series (CT frame, surgical robot joints)
Textile Machinery: LER Series (Large Circular Machine Rotary Bearings, Franke Classic Applications)
Automated AGV/robot: LVB/LVE aluminum shell rotation, linear guide rail
Machine tool/heavy fixture: LEW cross roller, LVG double row roller slewing support
Optics/Semiconductors: LEL Ultra High Precision Grinding Bearings
Lightweight linear module: LWK/LWF aluminum linear steel wire track
Small gimbal/instrument: LSA ultra-thin integrated bearing

Franke is the inventor of Wire Race Bearing and a global market leader. The core design concept is "no need for rings, just steel wire tracks", which uses four independent steel wires to make the raceway, replacing the traditional heavy inner and outer rings of bearings. This structure makes the bearing extremely compact, lightweight, and cost-effective, providing significant advantages over traditional bearings in applications that require strict weight and space requirements.

🧬  Overview of Franke Wire Rail Bearing Series
Franke's product line is very diverse, mainly divided into three categories: Bearing Elements, Bearing Assemblies, and Linear Systems.

Bearing Elements
This is the core of Franke technology, where you can directly integrate prefabricated raceway components into your own equipment structure, achieving high customization. The following are the main component series:

Series Core Features Key Parameters/Features
LEL high precision, high operational performance - raceway: grinding raceway
-Installation space: 5.9mm-20.9mm
-Material: Hardened chromium silicon steel
-Diameter: 70mm -2000mm
LER Economy, Universal, High Dynamic - Roll Path: Rectangular Profile Roll Path
-Features: Economical price, easy to integrate
-Diameter: 70mm -2000mm
LEW High Rigidity, Impact Resistance - Type: Cross Roller Bearing
-Features: The rollers are arranged in a cross pattern, which can withstand the same high load in all directions
LED/LEG specific function optimization LED and LEG are both bearing component series, among which the LEG 8 model combines four raceway into one, simplifying the structure while maintaining four point contact.
Bearing assemblies
This is a complete bearing unit that can be installed and used immediately, with Franke's steel wire track bearing components integrated inside. If you don't want to design the installation structure yourself, you can directly choose these finished components.

Series Core Features Key Parameters/Features
LVA/LVB standard type, four point contact ready to use complete bearings designed for four point contact, insensitive to impact and vibration.
LVD/LVL Slewing Ring is designed specifically for slewing applications and is available in various materials such as steel (LVD) and aluminum (LVL).
LVE/LV is lightweight and high-performance, using lightweight materials such as aluminum, plastic, or 3D printing, which can reduce weight by up to 90% compared to traditional steel bearings.
Linear Systems
Franke has also applied his steel wire track technology to the field of linear motion.

Series Core Features Key Parameters/Features
FDA/FDB/FDC... The linear guide system includes multiple sub series such as FDA-K, FDB-K, FDC-K.
The core advantages are lightweight, quiet, and maintenance free. The main material is aluminum alloy, equipped with high-quality bearings, and the operation is quiet and smooth. The sealing design can achieve maintenance free operation.
💡  How to choose? Comparison of key characteristics
Accuracy priority: If the application requires extremely high operational accuracy and smoothness, the LEL series grinding raceway is the preferred choice.

Cost sensitive: If it is necessary to control costs while ensuring performance, the LER series provides an economical solution.

High rigidity requirements: For applications that require bearing heavy loads in all directions and high rigidity, the cross roller bearing LEW series is an ideal choice.

Weight sensitive: If the application has extreme weight requirements (such as aerospace, robotics), lightweight bearing components such as LVE/LVM or aluminum alloy linear guides can significantly reduce weight.

🔧  Core advantages and technological features
Ultimate Lightweight: The bearing itself can be very lightweight and can be integrated into lightweight materials such as aluminum and plastic, bringing significant system weight reduction.

Ultra high design freedom: You can freely choose the diameter (70-2000mm), installation space, and material of the bearing, which is deeply integrated with the equipment structure.

Four point contact design: Most Franke bearings use four point contact, which means that one ball can simultaneously withstand loads from radial, axial, and overturning moments.

Reliable performance: The working temperature range is usually from -30 ° C to+80 ° C, and the circumferential speed can reach 5 m/s.

Flexible product form: Provides individual bearing components (for integration) and ready to use components.

🎯  Typical application areas
Medical technology: CT scanners, surgical robots, etc.

Robotics technology: collaborative robots (Cobots), exoskeletons, etc.

Aerospace and Defense: Fields that require extreme weight reduction, such as radar systems and satellite components.

Mechanical manufacturing: textile machinery, machine tools, semiconductor equipment, etc.

If you want to know the detailed parameters or application cases of a specific series of Franke steel wire track bearings, you can always ask me again.

Linear guide bearings are also widely used in the large-scale medical equipment industry, where extremely high requirements are placed on operational smoothness, precision, low noise, and low energy consumption.

Due to their space-saving design and low cost, wire-roller bearings are also widely used in the food industry—for example, in vacuum filters, which are characterized by their compact size and cost-effectiveness.

Franke LEL/LER/LEW Three Main Main Steel Wire Track Bearings Standard Quick Reference Table
Terminology Note
KK Ø: Ball/roller center pitch diameter (model suffix number, such as LEL1.5-0070, KK Ø=70mm)
Section size: Bearing radial x axial installation thickness (mm)
Load unit: kN; Overturning moment C ₀ₘ: kNm; Weight: kg
C ₀ₐ/C ₀ᵣ: axial/radial static load; C ₐ/C ᵣ: Axial/Radial Dynamic Load
Unified material: 67SiCr5 quenched steel wire raceway, GCr15 rolling element, PA66 cage; Temperature -30~+80 ℃
1、 LEL Series | Precision Grinding Ball Wire Bearings (High Precision Medical/Optical/Semiconductor)

LEL profile structure

LEL dimension drawing
Overview of basic specifications for sub models
table
Model Ball Diameter Section Size (mm) Standard KK Ø Range Accuracy Class Highest Linear Velocity
LEL1.5 1.5mm 5.9 × 5.9 70~300mm P4 precision grade 5m/s
LEL2.5 2.5mm 9.2 × 9.2 160~900mm P4 precision grade 5m/s
LEL4 4mm 12.86 × 12.86 220~1500mm P4 precision grade 5m/s
LEL5 5mm 15.5 × 15.5 250~1800mm P4 precision grade 5m/s
LEL7 7mm 20.9 × 20.9 340~2000mm P4 precision grade 4.5m/s
Representative model load parameters (LEL1.5 small size)
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Weight
LEL1.5-0070    70    14    6    8    7    0.2    0.03
LEL1.5-0090    90    18    8    8    7    0.4    0.04
LEL1.5-0120    120    23    11    9    8    0.7    0.05
LEL1.5-0150    150    28    13    10    9    1.0    0.06
LEL4 Medium Representative
LEL4-0300: KK Ø 300, C ₀ₐ=121kN, C ₀ᵣ=48kN, C ₀ₘ=4.77kNm, weight 0.72kg
2、 LER Series | Economical Stamping Ball Wire Bearing (Automation/Textile/Universal Rotary Table)

LER section drawing
Overview of basic specifications for sub models
table
Model Ball Diameter Section Size (mm) Standard KK Ø Range Accuracy Class Highest Linear Velocity
LER1.5 1.5mm 5 × 6 40~200mm P6 universal grade 5m/s
LER2 2mm 7.5 × 8.9 80~400mm P6 universal grade 5m/s
LER3 3mm 11 × 13 120~900mm P6 universal grade 5m/s
LER4 4mm 14 × 16 180~1200mm P6 universal grade 5m/s
LER5 5mm 15.75 × 17.5 250~1800mm P6 universal grade 4.5m/s
Representative model load parameters
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Weight
LER1.5-0040    40    8    4    5    4    0.1    0.01
LER3-0300    300    142    68    52    31    5.2    0.61
LER5-1000    1000    962    450    82    70    32.6    3.75
LER Core Features
Stamping forming raceway, with a cost 30% lower than LEL; Pre tightening adjustable, suitable for knitting large circular knitting machines, AGV turntables, and lightweight robotic arms.
3、 LEW series | Cross roller steel wire bearings (heavy-duty high rigidity/positioner/heavy-duty AGV)

LEW roller profile

LEW integral ring component
Overview of basic specifications for sub models
table
Model Roller Diameter Section Size (mm) Standard KK Ø Range Accuracy Class Highest Linear Speed
LEW4 4mm 9.25 × 9.25 150~400mm P5 medium high precision 2m/s
LEW7 7mm 16.6 × 16.6 400~1200mm P5 medium high precision 2m/s
LEW4 (Small Cross Roller) Load Table
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Weight
LEW4-0150    150    81    32    34    16    2.4    0.27
LEW4-0200    200    109    44    41    20    4.4    0.31
LEW4-0300    300    168    66    52    27    9.8    0.54
LEW7 (Heavy Cross Roller) Load Table
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Weight
LEW7-0400    400    350    140    90    47    19.6    1.90
LEW7-0500    500    440    176    99    52    23.6    2.30
LEW7-0600    600    530    212    113    59    28.6    2.80
LEW Core Features
Roller line contact, overturning stiffness is 2.5-4 times that of LEL/LER ball bearing models; Anti impact, suitable for continuous high tilt torque working conditions, with low rotational speed.
4、 Comparison Table of Horizontal Selection of Three Major Series
table
Parameter dimension LEL Precision ball LER Economic ball LEW Cross roller
Rolling element four point contact ball four point contact ball single row intersecting cylindrical roller
Rolling process CNC precision grinding, stamping forming precision grinding
Precision P4 highest P6 ordinary P5 medium high
Rigid medium, high, medium, and extremely high (optimal for overturning)
Speed up to 5m/s, up to 5m/s, up to 2m/s
High, medium, and high costs
Section thickness 5.9~20.9mm ultra-thin 5~17.5mm flat 9.25/16.6mm
Typical scenarios include CT, optical turntable, semiconductor, precision indexing disc large circular machine, packaging equipment, lightweight AGV, ordinary turntable welding positioner, heavy-duty AGV, machine tool turntable, photovoltaic tracking
Supplementary selection remarks
Model naming convention: series ball/roller diameter pitch circle KK Ø, for example: LEW7-0400=LEW series, 7mm roller, pitch circle 400mm
The entire series supports customization: stainless steel anti-corrosion, ceramic non-magnetic ball bearings, ultra large diameter>2000mm, split split open ring
Installation requirements: The bearing body has no inner or outer rings, and the customer needs to machine matching grooves on the aluminum/steel base, relying on four steel wires to support it. The lightweight advantage of the whole machine is significant

Franke / Kaydon WireX / Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde
Three major European and American steel wire track bearings: model naming rules+main model load quick reference manual
1、 Franke GmbH, Germany (global standard steel wire raceway benchmark)
1. Complete Model Naming Rules
Standard format: Series - Rolling element diameter - Pitch circle KK Ø [- Suffix customization code]
Example: LEL4-0300-P4/LVG0300-A
The first three letters=product category
LEL: Precision Grinding of Four Point Ball Bearing Components (Split Bare Ring, High Precision P4)
LER: Economical stamping four point ball bearing components (split bare ring, universal P6)
LEW: Cross roller steel wire bearing component (split bare ring, high rigidity P5)
LEG: Double ring split large-diameter ball bearing
LSA: Ultra thin integrated finished bearing (with built-in steel shell)
LV (A/B/C/D/E/G): Prefabricated slewing bearing assembly (with flange, seal, optional gear)
LWK/LWR/LWS: Linear Steel Wire Guide Sliding Seat
The first number=rolling element diameter (mm)
LEL1.5=ball bearing 1.5mm; LEW7=roller 7mm
The middle 4 digits=KK pitch circle diameter (mm, add 0 if less than 4 digits)
LEL4-0300: Ball 4mm, pitch 300mm
Customized suffix letters (optional)
P4/P5/P6: Accuracy level
A: Aluminum support ring; S: All stainless steel anti-corrosion
C: Ceramic non-magnetic ball bearings; G: Outer ring with teeth
2. Load Quick Check Table for Three Main Split Bearing Standard Models (Unit: kN/kNm/kg)
(1) LEL Precision Ball Series (Medical/Optical/Semiconductor)
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ Static Axial C ₀ᵣ Static Radial C ₐ Dynamic Axial C ᵣ Dynamic Radial C ₀ₘ Overturning Moment Self Weight
LEL1.5-0070    70    14    6    8    7    0.2    0.03
LEL1.5-0120    120    23    11    9    8    0.7    0.05
LEL4-0300    300    121    48    55    33    4.77    0.72
LEL7-0500    500    265    106    92    58    18.3    1.85
(2) LER economical ball bearing series (textile/AGV/general automation)
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Self weight
LER3-0300    300    142    68    52    31    5.2    0.61
LER4-0500    500    310    148    68    42    14.8    1.32
LER5-1000    1000    962    450    82    70    32.6    3.75
(3) LEW Cross Roller Heavy Duty Series (Displacement Machine/Heavy duty AGV/Machine Tool)
table
Model KK Ø C ₀ₐ C ₀ᵣ C ₐ C ᵣ C ₀ₘ Self weight
LEW4-0150    150    81    32    34    16    2.4    0.27
LEW4-0300    300    168    66    52    27    9.8    0.54
LEW7-0400    400    350    140    90    47    19.6    1.90
LEW7-0600    600    530    212    113    59    28.6    2.80
3. Naming and representative parameters of LV finished product rotary assembly
LVG0300: Double row cross roller aluminum shell rotation, pitch circle 300mm, static load 617kN, self weight 9.3kg
LVE0250: Aluminum shell external tooth ball rotation, specifically designed for lightweight AGV gimbal
2、 Kaydon WireX from the United States ® (RBC's subsidiary, aviation and military steel wire bearings)
1. Model naming rules (fully customized, no fixed standard part number, structural classification code)
Basic code system
WXB: WireX Ball Four Point Ball Steel Wire Bearing (Standard Universal)
WXBS: Stainless all stainless steel anti-corrosion ball type (marine/humid military)
WXCR: WireX Cross Roller High Rigid Cross Roller (turret/radar)
WX2R/WX3R: Double/triple row composite roller with ultra-high load-bearing capacity
Complete annotation example: WXB-1200-AL-GEXT-P4
WXB: Four point ball structure
1200: Outer diameter of support ring mm (inch optional for imperial system)
AL: Aluminum support ring; ST: Steel support ring
GEXT: Outer ring external gear; GINT: internal teeth; NOGEAR toothless
P4: Aviation precision grade; LT: Low temperature -55 ℃; C: Ceramic non-magnetic ball bearings
2. WireX main standard specification load reference (British/metric dual standards, aviation lightweight)
Unit: lbf (pounds)/Nm; 1kN ≈ 2248lbf
WXB ball bearing type (aviation gimbal, unmanned aerial vehicle electro-optical pod)
table
Specification Outer diameter Static axial load Static radial load Overturning moment Support ring Material Self weight
300mm AL 11200lbf 4800lbf 2100Nm aviation aluminum 0.6kg
800mm AL 65000 lbf 28000 lbf 18600Nm aviation aluminum 3.2kg
WXCR Cross Roller Type (Armored Vehicle Turret, Onboard Radar)
table
Specification Outer diameter Static axial load Static radial load Overturning moment Self weight
500mm AL    78000lbf    33000lbf    32500Nm    2.7kg
1200mm ST steel ring 210000lbf 92000lbf 128000Nm 9.8kg
3. Kaydon WireX Core Features
Customized production for all customers, without fixed inventory of standard parts;
Stainless steel wire raceway+aviation aluminum ring, reducing weight by 60%;
Compatible with vacuum, low temperature, non-magnetic, and military explosion-proof certifications;
The steel wire raceway can be replaced separately, and the bearing body can be repaired and reused.
3、 German ThyssenKrupp Rothe Erde (ultra large diameter steel wire raceway rotary bearing)
1. Exclusive series code for steel wire raceway (official 80/81/87 series)
Exclusive prefix for steel wire raceway: 052/056/058
052 Series 80: Single Row Four Point Ball Steel Wire Rotary Bearing (Lightweight Large Diameter)
056 Series 81: Double row angular contact steel wire roller slewing support (medium heavy load)
058 Series 87: Three row composite steel wire roller slewing bearing (heavy and ultra large load)
Complete model segmentation rules (example: 052.25.1077.304.21.1504)
Segmented interpretation (separated by dots for 6 paragraphs):
052=Steel wire raceway category (80 single row ball bearings)
25=cross-sectional height dimension (mm)
1077=bearing inner diameter Di (mm)
304=material code for support ring (304=aluminum ring; 500=carbon steel; 700 stainless steel)
21=Gear type (00 toothless; 21 external teeth; 31 internal teeth)
1504=Version/Sealing/Pre Tightening Custom Code
2. Performance and representative loads of the three major steel wire series
① 052 (80 single row ball steel wire) - Stage lighting fixtures, large optical inspection rings
Typical model: 052.20.0844.304.001503
Inner diameter 844mm, aluminum support ring without teeth; Static axial load 420kN, static radial load 185kN, overturning moment 29kNm, self weight 12.6kg
② 056 (81 double row steel wire rollers) - Photovoltaic tracking, medium-sized radar turntable
Typical model: 056.30.1200.304.21.1504
Inner diameter 1200mm, aluminum ring outer teeth; Static load axial 960kN, radial 430kN, overturning moment 87kNm, self weight 22.4kg
③ 058 (87 three row steel wire rollers) - military turret, wind power tracking, astronomical telescope
Typical model: 058.40.1800.500.31.1504
Inner diameter 1800mm, carbon steel internal teeth; Static axial 2150kN, radial 980kN, overturning moment 265kNm, self weight 68kg
3. Unique features of Rothe Erde steel wire bearings
Covering a size range of 80mm to 14m, it is the only device in the world that can rotate steel wires over 10 meters in size;
Support segmented structure, large equipment can be disassembled and assembled on site;
Aluminum/carbon steel/stainless steel/titanium alloy support rings are available in all materials;
Allow for slight deformation of the base, adaptive compensation of clearance with steel wire, and minimal torque fluctuations.
4、 Horizontal Comparison Table of Three Major Brand Model Systems
table
Comparison item: Franke GmbH Kaydon WireX Thyssenkrupp Rothe Erde
Naming logic standardization fixed model, fully customized stock without standard parts, differentiated into 6 segments by structural code, differentiated by inner diameter/section/material
Size range KK Ø 40~2000mm Small and medium-sized standard parts 50mm~4.2m Aviation customized parts 80mm~14m Large caliber customization
Rolling element type: LEL/LER+cross roller LEW WXB ball/WXCR cross roller/multi row roller single row ball/double row/triple row composite roller
The support ring comes standard with a carbon steel base (customer processed)/LV aluminum shell assembly, mainly aviation aluminum, and can be fully covered with steel ring aluminum/carbon steel/stainless steel/titanium alloy
Precision gradient P4 precision/P5 medium high/P6 general aviation P4, military ultra precision customized P5/P6 heavy industrial precision
Gear configuration: LV assembly comes with optional internal and external teeth, customized internal and external tooth models, segmented and directly labeled with tooth types
Typical delivery standard parts take 4-8 weeks, spot military customization takes 12-20 weeks, large caliber heavy customization takes 16-26 weeks
Core load advantage: Small and medium-sized lightweight, balanced load-bearing, lightweight+low-temperature vacuum, military working conditions, ultra large diameter, ultimate overturning, heavy load
5、 Quick selection and matching model guide
Standard automation for small and medium-sized equipment, medical CT, knitting machines, AGV (requiring standard parts in stock)
Priority Franke LEL/LER/LEW split ring, LV integrated rotary assembly
Aviation drones, armored vehicles, electro-optical pods, maritime radar, low-temperature non-magnetic environment
Choose Kaydon WireX WXB/WXCR customized version
Wind power, astronomical telescopes, large military turrets, heavy-duty rotating with a diameter greater than 1 meter, and segmented disassembly and assembly requirements
Choose Rothe Erde 052/056/058 steel wire raceway series