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New High Performance & High Speed Ball Bearings from GRW

IEC Ltd is the exclusive UK distributor of GRW’s latest high speed and high performance ball bearings. With a reputation built in aerospace, precision engineering, and demanding industrial applications, we supply specialist bearing solutions that go beyond standard off-the-shelf components.
Two high-speed angular contact ball bearings with gold-coloured brass cages and polished steel balls, shown in cross-section against a white background - one upright and one partially behind it.

High Performance Q21 Ball Bearings for High Speed Applications

Instruments like dental handpieces demand the highest standards from their ball bearings. These high speed ball bearings must endure extreme rotational speeds while remaining incredibly resilient. Additionally, they need to operate as quietly as possible to ensure a comfortable experience for patients. GRW’s new Q21 ball bearings, crafted with advanced materials and innovative designs, deliver exceptional performance even in challenging conditions. The range includes Q21irac®, Q21speed®, and Q21twin®.
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Q21IRAC : Advanced Deep Groove Ball Bearings for Extended Lifespan

Tilting conditions can cause standard deep groove ball bearings to face extreme forces, leading to early failure. GRW’s innovative Q21IRAC® features address this issue by maintaining optimal performance, even when the rotor shaft or rings are tilted. The Q21irac® deep groove ball bearings guide the ball set along a near-elliptical path, mimicking the movement of a perfectly aligned bearing. This design ensures quieter operation and significantly reduces early wear, resulting in a much longer lifespan compared to conventional radial deep groove ball bearings.

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Cross-section diagram and outer ring component of the GRW Q21 IRAC® bearing, showing the gold-coloured roller element with blue-highlighted contact zones and labelled radius measurements R1 and R2, against a white background.

GRW XTRA Material: High Temperature Bearings for Extreme Conditions

In demanding environments such as the human body, desert sands, Mars, or the freezing vacuum of space, GRW ball bearings and units perform flawlessly under extreme conditions. Whether operating as high temperature bearings in jet engines or aggressive processing applications, GRW’s specially developed XTRA materials equip these bearings to withstand even the toughest challenges.
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Cross-section of a GRW Q21 SPEED® angular contact ball bearing, showing the gold-coloured brass cage, polished steel ball and inner and outer rings, against a white background.

Q21SPEED: High Speed Ball Bearing Design for Enhanced Performance

GRW has developed the Q21speed® feature specifically for deep groove ball bearings used in high-speed applications. This new retaining cage design significantly improves running friction and dynamic performance. 

Additionally, the patented ball-bag design increases lifespan and ensures quiet operation. The innovative Q21speed® feature can be applied to both snap cages in radial deep groove ball bearings and window cages in angular contact ball bearings, delivering superior performance across various applications.

The result is a high speed ball bearing system that maximises bearing life while reducing noise and energy losses.

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Q21TWIN: Patented Cage Design for Reduced Wear and Extended Lifespan

The Q21twin® by GRW introduces a new cage design that merges the benefits of both window cages and two-part steel tab cages. This innovative solution unites both halves into a single window cage within a radial deep groove ball bearing, resulting in enhanced performance. The unique design allows for axial compensation, even when the bearing is tilted, and helps the cage absorb external forces. These features significantly reduce wear and extend the lifespan of the application, making Q21twin® a durable and reliable choice.
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GRW Q21 TWIN® bearing cage in gold-coloured brass, showing the twin-row design with evenly spaced ball pockets, against a white background.
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XTRALUBE: Advanced Lubrication for High-Speed Applications

In high-speed applications, such as dental devices, lubrication is often lost as the turbine’s outgoing air flows through the ball bearings, causing grease to escape. This rapid loss of lubrication can lead to damage and bearing failure. GRW’s durable XTRALUBE ensures that lubrication remains securely within the bearing, providing long-lasting protection and preventing premature wear, even in demanding environments.
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XTRAIon – Patented Cage Material

Designed for high-performance applications, GRW’s XTRAIon is a premium material developed using unique manufacturing methods. This innovative XTRA-material features a dry lubrication chemically bonded to the base polymer polyamidimide (PAI), creating a homogeneous structure with minimal surface contact during autoclaving. The result is a range of key benefits:

  • Exceptional tolerance to high temperatures
  • Reduced friction and wear
  • Extended lifespan of the application
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GRW Future Innovations: A Glimpse Ahead

GRW’s research and development team is continually focused on the future, advancing their material portfolio for bearing rings, cages, lubricants, and coatings. They are also exploring innovative production technologies to enhance these components. The XTRA series remains a key focus, with plans to expand and refine this cutting-edge range as part of GRW’s ongoing commitment to innovation and performance.

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GRW's Goal: Continuously Raising the Bar for Performance

The focus of GRW’s future projects is on achieving the highest possible performance across applications. GRW is constantly pushing the performance limit upwards, driven by truly innovative ideas and new technologies.

New design concepts and bearing innovations are a priority, ensuring that GRW’s roller bearings and bearing units are perfectly adapted to each individual application. This commitment allows GRW to provide significant advantages in system construction, offering unparalleled reliability and efficiency.

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Preparing GRW Products for the Future

GRW embraces the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0 to ensure that future projects and their product portfolio are prepared for the challenges ahead. By focusing on the entire life cycle and value chain of their bearings and specialised products, GRW aims to simplify integration into your applications at every stage:
  • System design
  • Logistics
  • Testing
  • Simulation
  • Field application

This approach ensures that GRW solutions seamlessly align with your digital world and workflows, providing optimal performance and efficiency.

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Exploded 3D render of a GRW ball bearing, showing the inner and outer rings, cage and ball elements separated to illustrate the individual components, against a light grey background.
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