DW Bearing vs SKF, NSK, INA Schaeffler: Needle Roller Bearing Cross-Reference Chart [HK, BK, NK, K, AXK Series]

Figure 1. Same RNA4905 boundary dimension, four brands — DW Bearing, SKF, NSK, INA Schaeffler. Needle roller bearings to ISO 3030 / DIN 618-2 are dimensionally interchangeable across compliant manufacturers.

1. Why a Cross-Reference Chart Matters

In B2B bearing procurement, OEM engineers often inherit a Bill of Materials (BOM) listing specific SKF, NSK, or INA part numbers — yet the original supplier may have 12-week lead time, 20-40% higher pricing, discontinued the line (legacy automotive programs), or MOQ that does not fit your run rate.

A reliable cross-reference chart lets procurement teams evaluate alternative suppliers without re-engineering the design, because the bearing is dimensionally interchangeable on the shaft and housing.

2. ISO 3030 / DIN 618 — The Standards Behind Interchangeability

Drawn cup needle bearings follow these international dimensional standards:

⦁ ISO 3030:2011— Rolling bearings, drawn cup needle roller bearings with open ends and with closed end

⦁ DIN 618-2 — Drawn cup needle roller bearings (German equivalent)

⦁ ABMA Std. 18.2 — Needle roller bearings (US equivalent)

⦁ GB/T 290-2017 — China national standard, equivalent to ISO 3030

These standards define boundary dimensions (Fw bore, D outside diameter, C width) and basic dynamic load rating Cr consistently enough that compliant manufacturers bearings are physically interchangeable.

What is not standardized: internal radial clearance grades (C0/C3/C4), material grade (DW uses GCr15 / 100Cr6 equivalent), surface finish, and cage material.

3. HK Series — Drawn Cup Needle Bearings (Open Ends)

Figure 2. HK1010 dimensional standard: Fw 10mm × D 14mm × C 10mm. The same boundary dimensions are used by DW Bearing, SKF, NSK, INA Schaeffler, and Koyo — enabling direct cross-reference per ISO 3030.

Boundary dimensions: bore Fw × outside diameter D × width C, in millimeters. Sample 10 of 100+ standard sizes:

Full chart with all 100+ HK part numbers available — request the PDF via email.

4. BK Series — Drawn Cup Needle Bearings (Closed End)

Use BK when one end must be sealed/closed (transmission output shafts, motor shaft ends). Same boundary dimensions as HK series, but with one closed end.

5. NK Series — Machined Needle Bearings (No Inner Ring)

NK uses a machined outer ring (not drawn) for higher radial load capacity and tighter tolerance. Use when shaft is hardened and ground (HRC 58-65, surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.4 μm).

6. NA / NAV Series — Machined with Inner Ring

NA series adds an inner ring for shafts that cannot serve as bearing raceway (soft shaft, not hardened, or already worn). NAV is the variant with locating ring. Common parts: NA4900, NA4910, NA4920, NAV4900, NAV4910.

7. K Series — Needle Roller and Cage Assemblies

Caged needle roller assemblies (K, KZK, KBK) for use where both shaft and housing serve as raceways. Highest radial load capacity per unit space. Used in automotive transmissions, planetary gear stages, and high-RPM applications.

8. AXK / NTA Series — Thrust Needle Bearings

Axial load capacity needle bearings, used with AS series washers (one side) or LS series (both sides). Common in EPB actuators, A/C compressors, gearbox planetary stages, and brake calipers.

9. Interchange Notes & Caveats

Direct drop-in (same shaft, same housing, equivalent dynamic load):

⦁ HK to HK, BK to BK, NK to NK (matching boundary dimensions)

⦁ AXK to AXK (matching shaft size)

Verify before substituting:

1. Sealed variants (-2RS suffix): sealing rubber compound and contact force vary by manufacturer. For grease retention applications, request DW sealed equivalent and validate at running temperature.

2. Reinforced cages (e.g., INA HN suffix): for high-impact applications (cam followers, automotive valve trains), specify reinforced version explicitly.

3. Tight clearance variants (C3, C4): non-standard clearance specifications need to be matched. DW default is C0 (radial play 5-20 μm for HK10xx-class).

4. Shaft tolerance (h6, k6, m6): for press-fit applications, the shaft tolerance must match what the bearing supplier specifies. DW defaults to k5 for HK series shaft fits.

10. How to Request a Cross-Reference Quote

Send your current BOM (Excel or PDF) to [email protected]. Include for each line:

⦁ Original part number (SKF / NSK / INA / Schaeffler / Koyo / IKO / NTN)

⦁ Annual quantity

⦁ Application (so we can recommend the right material grade and clearance)

⦁ Critical performance requirements (RPM, load, operating temperature, lubrication type)

⦁ Standard quote turnaround: 24 hours. Free samples for evaluation on quantities ≥ 1,000 pcs/year.

11. FAQ

Q1: Are DW Bearings ISO certified?
Yes. DW Bearing holds ISO/TS 16949 (automotive) and ISO 9001 certifications. Material is GCr15 (100Cr6 equivalent) per GB/T 18254 / DIN EN ISO 683-17.

Q2: What is the lead time for HK series bearings?
Stock items (common boundaries like HK1010, HK1512, HK2516) ship in 5-7 days. Custom dimensions: 4-6 weeks for tooling + first article + sampling, then 2-3 weeks for production.

Q3: Can you match SKF HK-2RS sealed variant in performance?
Yes. DW offers equivalent sealed series (HK-2RS pattern) with NBR seals rated for -25°C to +120°C. Higher-temperature applications use Viton seals on request.

Q4: Do you supply directly or through distributors?
DW supplies directly to OEMs (>10,000 pcs/year) and through authorized distributors for smaller quantities. Both channels source identical product from the same Suzhou plant.

Q5: How do I verify dimensional equivalence before placing an order?
Request a free sample (5-10 pcs). We provide an inspection report with CMM-measured dimensions, hardness (HRC 60-65), and surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.2 μm) for comparison against your incumbent bearing.

12. References

⦁ ISO 3030:2011 — Rolling bearings — Drawn cup needle roller bearings with open ends

⦁ DIN 618-2 — Drawn cup needle roller bearings, dimension series

⦁ ABMA Std. 18.2 — Needle roller bearings

⦁ GB/T 290-2017 — Drawn cup needle roller bearings (China national standard)

⦁ SKF Rolling Bearings catalog, 17000 EN

⦁ INA Schaeffler Needle Roller Bearings catalog, MB1

About the Author: The DW Bearing Engineering Team consists of senior application engineers with combined 200+ years of needle roller bearing manufacturing experience at Suzhou Dongwu Needle Bearing Co., Ltd. We design, test, and validate every cross-reference recommendation against our customers actual operating conditions.

Related products: Drawn Cup Needle Roller Bearings | Thrust Needle Roller Bearings | Machined Needle Roller Bearings | Needle Roller and Cage Assemblies

Need a custom quote? Email [email protected] or call +86-512-69361538.