Miniature Bearings

Ultra-precision bearings engineered for space-critical applications

These compact powerhouses deliver exceptional performance where every millimeter counts, combining Swiss-level precision with Japanese reliability standards for the most demanding applications.

3-9mm
Bore Range
34,000
Max RPM
29
Models
0.75g
Min Weight
View All Models Technical Specifications
Deep Groove Ball Bearing - RHD Bearings

RHD PERFORMANCE GRADES

Engineered for power tool excellence & multi-industry solutions

7,000 RPM

RHD V2

Miniature Bearings

Multi-industry workhorse for standard applications. Reliable performance across automotive, appliances, and general industrial equipment.

Industrial Automotive Appliances
Most Popular
15,000 RPM

RHD V3 Ultra

Miniature Bearings

Premium power tool performance. Our bestselling grade engineered for professional power tools and high-performance equipment.

Power Tools Professional High-Performance
Elite Performance
24,000 RPM

RHD V4 Max

Miniature Bearings

Maximum performance for demanding applications. Elite-grade bearings for high-end power tools and precision equipment.

Power Tools Elite Precision

Power Tool Excellence

RHD's V3 Ultra and V4 Max miniature bearings are specifically engineered for the demanding power tool industry. Our advanced manufacturing processes and precision-grade materials deliver exceptional performance in high-speed, high-load applications. From professional drills and grinders to precision cutting tools, RHD bearings provide the reliability and durability that power tool manufacturers trust. With our V3 and V4 grades representing our primary revenue source in the power tool segment, we've invested heavily in optimizing these bearings for maximum performance, extended service life, and consistent quality that meets the rigorous demands of professional and industrial power tool applications.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Comprehensive engineering data for precision applications

Specification Range Standard
Bore Diameter 3mm - 9mm ISO 15:2011
Outer Diameter 7mm - 26mm ISO 15:2011
Width 2mm - 8mm ISO 15:2011
Load Capacity 0.311kN - 4.45kN ISO 281:2007
Speed Range 22,000 - 68,000 RPM Oil lubrication
Temperature Range -40°C to +150°C Standard materials

PRODUCT MODELS

Complete range of miniature bearings for every application

APPLICATIONS

Engineered for precision across industries

Automotive Applications

  • Electric motor cooling fans
  • Automotive sensors and actuators
  • Small electric vehicle components
  • Dashboard instrument motors
  • Seat adjustment mechanisms
  • Mirror adjustment motors
  • Window regulator motors
  • Engine management sensors

Key Requirements: Compact size, reliability, temperature resistance

Industrial Manufacturing

  • Precision spindle motors
  • Small conveyor rollers
  • Micro-pumps and actuators
  • Encoder and sensor assemblies
  • Small gear motors
  • Robotics joint mechanisms
  • Pneumatic valve actuators
  • Quality control equipment

Key Requirements: High precision, continuous operation, minimal maintenance

Home Appliances

  • Small appliance motors
  • Coffee machine pumps
  • Blender motor assemblies
  • Food processor mechanisms
  • Electric toothbrush motors
  • Hair dryer fan motors
  • Kitchen scale mechanisms
  • Timer and control motors

Key Requirements: Quiet operation, long life, cost effectiveness

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Expert guidance for miniature bearing applications

🔧 Bearing Selection & Replacement ▼

How do I know if I'm buying the right miniature bearing for my electronics application?

Match the bore size, check load capacity vs. your actual loads, and consider speed requirements. For electronics, prioritize low noise and precision grades.
Why This Matters
Electronics applications need bearings that won't interfere with sensitive components. Wrong size means poor fit, inadequate load capacity causes early failure, and poor precision creates noise that affects circuit performance. Many electronics failures trace back to bearing-induced vibration disrupting delicate connections or creating electromagnetic interference.
How To Handle It
Start with exact bore diameter match - never force fit. Calculate your actual loads including shock factors (vibration, drops). For electronics: specify P5 precision minimum, sealed bearings (2RS) for dust protection, and stainless steel if near batteries or corrosive components. When in doubt, go one size larger on load capacity.
Electronics gear often runs 24/7 - specify bearings for 3× your calculated load for reliable 5+ year service life.

Can I use a cheaper bearing as a replacement, or does it have to be exact specification?

For electronics and precision instruments, stick with exact specs. For general applications, you can often upgrade load capacity but never downgrade.
Why This Matters
Miniature bearings in electronics often have tight space constraints and precise mounting requirements. A cheaper bearing might have different dimensions, inferior sealing, or poor precision that creates noise and vibration. In precision instruments, small differences in runout or noise can affect measurement accuracy significantly.
How To Handle It
Safe upgrades: higher precision grade (ABEC-5 to ABEC-7), better sealing (open to sealed), ceramic hybrid for longer life. Never compromise on: bore/OD dimensions, load capacity, or precision requirements. Check if mounting hardware accommodates different bearing width. For cost savings, buy in quantity or consider repairable designs.
Upgrading to stainless steel adds 20% cost but eliminates corrosion issues in humid electronics environments.

What's the difference between sealed and open miniature bearings for my equipment?

Sealed bearings (2RS) provide protection from dust/moisture but run slower and create more friction. Open bearings offer higher speeds but need clean environments.
Why This Matters
Electronics equipment often operates in dusty environments where contamination kills bearings quickly. Sealed bearings prevent ingress but create higher friction and heat. Open bearings run cooler and faster but require pristine conditions. The wrong choice leads to either contamination failure or overheating issues.
How To Handle It
Choose sealed (2RS) for: consumer electronics, medical devices, outdoor equipment, and anything exposed to dust. Choose open for: high-speed spindles, clean room applications, or where maximum speed is critical. Consider light contact seals (LU) as compromise - some protection with less friction than full contact seals.
Most electronics applications benefit from sealed bearings - the small speed penalty is worth the contamination protection.
🔨 Installation & Maintenance ▼

Why do my miniature bearings keep failing early, and how can I prevent it?

Most miniature bearing failures come from contamination, improper installation, or exceeding speed limits. Focus on cleanliness and gentle installation techniques.
Why This Matters
Miniature bearings are precision components where small mistakes have big consequences. Contamination particles that wouldn't harm larger bearings can destroy miniature ones. Force during installation creates microscopic damage that leads to rapid failure. Electronics environments often have hidden contaminants like flux residue or metal particles that are bearing killers.
How To Handle It
Installation: Use bearing pullers, never hammer directly. Press on inner ring when installing on shaft, outer ring when installing in housing. Cleanliness: Work in clean environment, use lint-free wipes, avoid compressed air (pushes contamination deeper). Speed limits: Stay below 75% of catalog speed for long life. Check for electrical current passage in motor applications.
A drop of light oil during installation protects against corrosion and makes assembly easier - just don't over-lubricate.

What's the proper way to install miniature bearings without damaging them?

Use proper tools - bearing pullers for installation, presses for removal. Never hit bearings directly with hammers or use excessive force.
Why This Matters
Miniature bearings are delicate precision components where installation damage often appears as premature failure weeks later. Improper installation creates microscopic cracks, disturbs precision tolerances, and can damage seals. The small size makes them especially vulnerable to installation abuse.
How To Handle It
Tools needed: small bearing pullers, precision presses, or installation sleeves. Technique: Press evenly on the ring that's being fitted (inner ring to shaft, outer ring to housing). Keep hands clean, work in good lighting. If resistance increases suddenly, stop and check alignment. Never reuse damaged bearings even if they seem okay.
For electronics work, invest in proper miniature bearing installation tools - they pay for themselves in reduced bearing damage.

How often should I re-lubricate miniature bearings in electronics equipment?

Most miniature bearings in electronics are sealed and lubricated for life. For open bearings, light re-lubrication every 1-2 years or 8,000 hours operation.
Why This Matters
Electronics equipment often runs continuously but at light loads, creating different lubrication needs than industrial machinery. Over-lubrication is as harmful as under-lubrication in miniature bearings - excess grease increases friction, attracts contamination, and can interfere with electrical components. Most failures come from contamination, not lubricant depletion.
How To Handle It
Sealed bearings: No maintenance required - replace when they fail. Open bearings: Use precision oilers with synthetic light oil (viscosity 10-20 cSt). Apply 1-2 drops maximum, operate briefly to distribute, remove excess. Monitor temperature - properly lubricated bearings run cool. If bearing gets hot, you've over-lubricated.
For electronics applications, cleanliness matters more than lubrication frequency - keep dust away and bearings last years longer.
🔍 Troubleshooting & Problem Solving ▼

My miniature bearing is making noise - is it dangerous and what should I do?

Grinding or clicking sounds indicate bearing damage - replace immediately. Slight humming is normal. Sudden noise changes suggest contamination or lubrication issues.
Why This Matters
In electronics equipment, bearing noise often indicates problems that can damage expensive components. Failed miniature bearings can seize suddenly, damaging motors, circuit boards, or precision mechanisms. Noise also affects device performance - medical equipment, audio gear, and measuring instruments all suffer from bearing-induced vibration.
How To Handle It
Immediate replacement needed for: grinding, clicking, irregular noise, or sudden noise increase. Investigate further for: humming (may be normal), slight squeaking (lubrication issue), or intermittent noise (contamination). Stop equipment until diagnosis complete. Check for contamination sources, electrical current damage, or overloading before installing replacement.
In electronics, bearing noise often appears before visible damage - trust your ears and replace noisy bearings early to prevent collateral damage.

How do I identify what's causing premature miniature bearing failure in my equipment?

Look for patterns: contamination shows as dark residue, electrical damage creates pitting, overloading causes ball/race wear, and installation damage shows as cracks or deformation.
Why This Matters
Understanding failure modes prevents repeat failures and identifies design issues. Electronics environments have unique failure modes like electrical current damage from switching power supplies or contamination from manufacturing processes. Miniature bearings fail differently than larger ones - small particles cause disproportionate damage.
How To Handle It
Examine failed bearings under magnification. Look for: contamination (dark particles, residue), electrical damage (small pits, frosted appearance), wear patterns (polished areas, material loss), or physical damage (cracks, deformation). Check operating conditions: temperature, speed, loads, electrical environment. Document patterns to identify systematic issues.
Most electronics bearing failures are contamination-related - improve sealing or filtration rather than just replacing bearings.

What causes miniature bearings to overheat and how do I fix it?

Common causes: over-lubrication, excessive preload, contamination, or exceeding speed limits. Most can be fixed by proper lubrication and installation techniques.
Why This Matters
Overheating in miniature bearings quickly leads to lubricant breakdown, seal damage, and bearing seizure. Electronics equipment often has limited cooling, making thermal management critical. Hot bearings also create thermal expansion that affects precision mechanisms and can damage nearby electronic components.
How To Handle It
Immediate fixes: Reduce lubrication if over-greased, check for proper clearances, verify speed limits not exceeded. Long-term solutions: Improve ventilation around bearing area, use synthetic lubricants for high-temperature operation, consider ceramic hybrid bearings for better heat resistance. Monitor temperatures during operation to establish baselines.
Touch test: properly operating miniature bearings should feel barely warm to touch - if too hot to comfortably touch, investigate immediately.
💰 Cost & Performance Optimization ▼

Is it worth paying more for premium miniature bearings, or are standard ones fine for electronics?

For consumer electronics, standard bearings are often adequate. For medical devices, instruments, or long-life applications, premium bearings pay for themselves through reliability.
Why This Matters
Electronics equipment has widely varying requirements. Consumer goods need cost-effective solutions, while medical devices or measuring instruments require ultimate reliability. Premium bearings offer better materials, tighter tolerances, and longer life but cost 2-5× more. The wrong choice either wastes money or creates reliability problems.
How To Handle It
Use premium bearings for: medical devices, measuring instruments, 24/7 operation, or where bearing failure damages expensive components. Standard bearings work for: consumer electronics, short-duty cycles, or easily serviceable equipment. Consider factors: replacement cost, downtime impact, warranty requirements, and user safety.
In electronics, bearing failure often damages other components - paying 3× more for bearings can save 10× in system repair costs.

How can I extend miniature bearing life to reduce maintenance costs in electronics equipment?

Focus on contamination control, proper installation, and operating within rated limits. Sealed bearings and good design practices typically double service life.
Why This Matters
Electronics equipment often operates unattended for years, making bearing reliability critical. Maintenance access is usually difficult and expensive. Environmental factors like dust, humidity, and electrical interference create unique challenges for miniature bearings. Small improvements in bearing life have large impacts on overall equipment reliability.
How To Handle It
Design improvements: Use sealed bearings, provide good ventilation, isolate from electrical interference, design for easy bearing replacement. Operating practices: Stay within speed/load limits, maintain clean environment, monitor for early failure signs. Consider upgrades: stainless steel for corrosion resistance, ceramic hybrid for longer life, precision grades for better performance.
Design equipment so bearings can be replaced without major disassembly - it encourages proper maintenance and reduces lifecycle costs.

What's the real difference between cheap Chinese bearings and quality ones for electronics applications?

Quality bearings offer better steel, precision manufacturing, and consistent performance. Cheap bearings may work initially but fail unpredictably, often damaging expensive electronics.
Why This Matters
Electronics applications demand reliability because bearing failure often damages circuit boards, processors, or other expensive components. Cheap bearings may have poor steel quality, inconsistent dimensions, inadequate sealing, or contamination from manufacturing. The initial savings disappear quickly when they cause expensive system failures or frequent replacements.
How To Handle It
For critical applications, specify bearings from established manufacturers with quality certifications. Check for: consistent dimensions, proper sealing, clean packaging, and technical support. Consider total cost including: replacement frequency, system downtime, and potential collateral damage. Buy samples for testing before large orders.
In electronics, the bearing cost is usually <1% of total system cost - don't compromise reliability to save pennies on bearing costs.
BEARINGS