IKO cam followers are specialized roller followers designed for translating cam profiles into precise linear or rotational motion. Engineered for heavy-duty cyclic loading, these components combine needle roller bearings with hardened outer rings to achieve superior wear resistance in cam mechanisms. IKO Cam Followers are a special type of bearing primarily used in cam mechanisms and linear motion. They have high rigidity and high precision, and are widely used in fields such as machine tools, industrial robots, electronic equipment, and office automation equipment
- Core Design Architectureof IKO cam followers
1.1 Structural Components
Outer Ring:
Material: Case-hardened chromium steel (SCr420H)
Surface hardness: 58-62 HRC
Grinding accuracy: ≤2μm roundness error
Surface treatments:
Black oxide coating (Fe₃O₄, 2-5μm)
DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating (μ=0.08-0.12)
Needle Roller Assembly:
Roller count: 15-40 pieces (diameter Φ2-Φ6mm)
Length/diameter ratio: 3:1 to 8:1
Crowning profile: Logarithmic curve (α=0.1-0.3mm⁻¹)
Stud Shaft:
Material: Carburized steel (SNCM220)
Thread standards: Metric (M6-M24), UNC (1/4″-1″)
Shaft straightness: ≤3μm/100mm
1.2 Bearing Types
| Type | Code Series | Key Feature | Load Capacity (Dynamic) |
| Eccentric | CF-E | ±0.3mm adjustable eccentricity | 5.8-98 kN |
| Concentric | CF-S | Zero radial play design | 7.2-120 kN |
| Heavy Duty | CF-HD | Reinforced stud (diameter +20%) | 12-180 kN |
| Sealed | CF-DDU | Triple-lip NBR seals | 4.5-85 kN |
- Performance Specificationsof IKO cam followers
2.1 Mechanical Parameters
Dynamic Load Rating (C): 4.5-180 kN
Static Load Rating (C₀): 7.2-290 kN
Fatigue Limit Load (P_u): 0.02C (ISO 281)
Maximum Speed:
Grease lubrication: 3,000-8,000 rpm
Oil lubrication: 5,000-12,000 rpm
Moment Load Capacity
M = 0.25 × C × d
(M: allowable moment [N·m], d: roller diameter [mm])
2.2 Tolerance Standards
| Parameter | Standard Tolerance | High-Precision Grade |
| Outer ring OD | h7 | h5 |
| Stud thread pitch | 6g | 4h |
| Radial runout | ≤15μm | ≤5μm |
| Axial play | ≤0.1mm | ≤0.02mm |
- Material Technologyof IKO cam followers
3.1 Advanced Metallurgy
Outer Ring:
Case depth: 0.8-1.5mm (HV700 minimum)
Residual austenite: ≤15%
Surface roughness: Ra ≤0.1μm (super-finished models)
Rollers:
Steel grade: SUJ2 (AISI 52100 equivalent)
Heat treatment: Through-hardened to 60-64 HRC
Ceramic option: Si₃N₄ (HV1500, λ=30 W/m·K)
Lubrication:
Standard grease: Alvania Grease RL-3 (NLGI 2)
High-temperature option: PFPE-based grease (-40°C to +250°C)
Solid lubricant: MoS₂ coating (3-8μm thickness)
- Specialized Variants
4.1 Corrosion-Resistant Series (CF-CR)
Outer ring: SUS440C (HRC 56-58)
Stud shaft: SUS630 precipitation hardening
Seals: FKM fluorocarbon rubber
Salt spray resistance: 1,000h (ASTM B117)
4.2 High-Temperature Series (CF-HT)
Operating range: -50°C to +300°C
Cage material: Polyimide (PI) with 30% graphite
Lubricant: Dry-film bonded MoS₂
4.3 Low-Noise Series (CF-LN)
Vibration level: ≤15 dB(A) at 3,000 rpm
Roller spacing accuracy: ±0.01mm
Damped polyamide cage (TV-92 material)
- Application Engineering
5.1 Automotive Valve Trains
Cycle life: ≥100 million cycles (SAE J1095)
Maximum acceleration: 3,000 m/s²
Temperature resistance: -40°C to +150°C
5.2 Packaging Machinery
Impact load capacity: 3× static rating (IEC 61373)
Anti-rotation design: Hexagonal stud base
CIP compatibility: IP69K washdown protection
5.3 Robotics Actuators
Backlash: ≤0.05mm
Angular misalignment compensation: ±2°
Weight reduction: 35% vs. standard bearings
- Mounting & Maintenance
6.1 Installation Guidelines
Stud Torque:
T = 0.2 × σ_y × A_s × d
(T: torque [N·m], σ_y: yield strength [MPa], A_s: stress area [mm²], d: nominal diameter [mm])
Example: M12 stud (10.9 grade) → 85-100 N·m
Housing Fit:
Interference fit: H7/p6 for dynamic loads
Transition fit: H7/k6 for moderate loads
6.2 Lubrication Management
Relubrication Interval:
L = (C/P)^p × 10⁶ / (60 × n)
(L: hours, C: dynamic load, P: actual load, p=3 for rollers, n: rpm)
Grease Volume:
Q = 0.03 × (D² – d²) × B
(Q: quantity [g], D: outer ring OD [mm], d: stud diameter [mm], B: width [mm])
- Failure Mode Analysis
| Failure Pattern | Cause | Countermeasure |
| Spalling | Fatigue stress >1.1× C | Reduce load or upgrade CF-HD |
| Galling | Insufficient EHD film | Increase viscosity by 1 ISO grade |
| Cage Deformation | Shock loads >3× C₀ | Install buffer springs |
| Stud Fracture | Bending moment >0.8M | Use shoulder-mounted design |
- Quality Assurance
Testing Protocols:
100% torque testing of stud threads (90-110% spec)
4-point contact load testing (120% C₀ for 30s)
Salt spray corrosion test (720h per ASTM B117)
Certifications:
IATF 16949 for automotive applications
ISO 14001 environmental management
RoHS 3/REACH SVHC compliance
- Technical Comparison
| Parameter | IKO CF Series | Competitor A | Competitor B |
| Load Density (C/d²) | 58 N/mm² | 42 N/mm² | 37 N/mm² |
| L10 Life @ 3000rpm | 12,000h | 8,500h | 7,200h |
| Weight Efficiency | 0.85 kg/kN | 1.2 kg/kN | 1.4 kg/kN |
- Customization Options
Geometry Modifications:
Flanged outer rings (DIN 5419)
Tapped axial holes (M3-M12)
Custom roller profiles (crowned/straight)
Special Features:
Embedded temperature sensors (PT100/PTC)
RFID tags for life-cycle tracking
Laser-etched QR codes (IEC 15415 Grade A)
