Thin-section bearings for defense systems

Ground and airborne defense technologies require mechanical components capable of supporting high loads while minimizing space requirements. At the Eurosatory trade fair, scheduled from 15 to 19 June 2026 in Paris, the French branch of Rodriguez is showcasing its mechanical components, specifically thin-section bearings and ball slewing rings, designed for these restrictive operational environments, including robotics, drones, and armored vehicles.

Architecture and integration of thin-section bearings
Thin-section bearings are distinguished by a design that ensures mechanical performance comparable to conventional roller bearings while minimizing occupied volume. The architecture of these components features a large bore diameter coupled with a small cross-sectional area. This geometry creates significant internal free space at the center of the mechanism. This available space facilitates the integration of critical subsystems such as pneumatic or hydraulic lines, electrical wiring routes, or slip rings. The use of these bearings directly contributes to reducing the overall dimensions and weight of embedded mechatronic systems.

Slewing rings and customized mechanical assemblies
In addition to thin-section bearings, ball slewing rings are integrated to manage multidirectional mechanical stresses. These components are designed to support axial and radial loads either separately or simultaneously, ensuring the stability and precise rotation of elements such as turrets, optronics, or radar systems. Rodriguez’s in-house production capabilities enable the machining and assembly of customized system solutions identified as value-added products (VAP). These pre-assembled mechanical assemblies are developed and adapted according to the strict technical specifications defined by security and defense system integrators.

Additional context: This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement.
In the defense and robotics sector, thin-section bearings are evaluated according to dimensional standards historically established by industrial references such as the Kaydon range (SKF Group). Benchmark specifications include ABEC tolerance classes (generally ABEC 1 to ABEC 7 for high-precision applications), internal friction torque, and rigidity under dynamic load. Unlike standard ISO bearings, the cross-section of thin-section bearings remains constant regardless of bore diameter. In terms of weight optimization, these bearings can provide up to 85% weight savings and 83% space reduction compared to conventional radial ball bearings of the same diameter. Materials specified for these defense applications generally involve martensitic stainless steels or the application of technical anti-corrosion coatings to meet the environmental requirements of MIL-SPEC standards.

Edited by industrial journalist Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

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