Milestones for NSK Technology
NSK started its journey manufacturing the first bearings in Japan in 1916, and has since developed into a global organization researching, designing, and manufacturing Motion & Control™ solutions supporting essential mobility and industry applications. Today we have a broad portfolio of proprietary technology developed over a history of more than 100 years, and we engage in extensive R&D in the pursuit of leading edge technology.
A bearing pioneer in Japan


Year | Main technological milestones | Product firsts in Japan or the world |
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1916 |
![]() Ball bearings are developed ![]() |
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1926 |
![]() Cylindrical roller bearings for aircraft engines are developed |
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1929 |
![]() Cylindrical roller axle bearings for railroad cars developed and produced |
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1931 | Main bearings for aircraft engines are launched in the Japanese market | |
1932 | Tapered roller axle bearings are developed for gasoline vehicles of Japanese National Railways | |
1945 |
![]() Main bearings for jet engines (Ne-20) are developed ![]() |
Contributing to post-war reconstruction
1948 |
![]() Ultra-large self-aligning roller bearings are developed for thermal power plants (ball mill) |
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![]() Large four-row tapered roller bearings are developed for roll necks used in steel rolling mills |
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1949 |
![]() Miniature ball bearings are developed for use in cameras |
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1957 | Contributed to bearing noise reduction Established a method of measuring bearing noise |
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1958 |
![]() Ball screw is developed ![]() |
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1959 | Ball screw type steering is launched | |
1950s Late |
Export agreements and technical collaboration are carried out with manufacturers outside Japan Bearing quality and cost rivals those of non-Japanese manufacturers |
Supporting high economic growth
1961 | Technical Center is established |
![]() Stainless steel miniature ball bearings are developed for high-speed dental drills |
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1963 | Production of needle bearings is begun |
![]() Bearings are developed for the Shinkansen bullet train |
1964 | Production of automatic transmission (AT) parts is begun | |
1968 | Steering column is launched | |
1973 | Bearings (outer diameter 5 meters) for continuously casting steel are manufactured NSK's first original bearing grease (NS7) is developed |
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1975 |
![]() High-precision bearing is developed for VCRs ![]() |
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1979 | Bearings (outer diameter 5 meters) for continuously casting steel are manufactured |
Technology advancement and diversification
1980 | NSK enters mechatronics market | |
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1982 | Linear guides for machine tools developed | |
1984 |
![]() Direct drive and mega-torque motors are developed for factory automation ![]() |
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1985 | Tribology technical center is established Heat treatment (TF) technology is established |
![]() Jet engine bearings are developed for civil aircraft |
1986 |
![]() Electric power steering (EPS) is developed for battery-powered forklifts |
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1987 | Hub-unit bearing (3rd generation) is launched for automotive wheels | |
1989 | Electric power steering (EPS) is launched for automobiles | |
1990 | Highly purified (EP) steel is developed | |
1991 |
![]() Integrated single-axle actuator, monocarrier is developed |
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1996 | A bearing analytical program called BRAIN is developed | |
1997 | Bearings are launched for the Shinkansen bullet train (300 km/h) The ROBUST Series of ultra-high-speed angular contact ball bearings are launched for machine tools |
Meeting the challenge of producing world-leading technologies
1999 |
![]() Half- toroidal continuously variable transmission (CVT) is developed ![]() |
|
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2000 | Ball bearings are introduced to the market for 40-nm non-repeatable run-out (NRRO) hard disk drives | |
2002 | Fujisawa Technology Center is completed HMC-B02 Series of high-speed quiet-running ball screws is launched (now BSS Series) |
|
2004 | HPS Series of industrial machinery bearings is launched |
![]() Developed world's smallest deep groove ball bearing (inner diameter 0.6 mm; outer diameter 2 mm; width 0.8 mm). ![]() |
2005 | A full complement of cylindrical roller bearings for wind turbine gearboxes is developed | |
2006 | Mass production of the V1 Series of highly dust-resistant ball screws is begun | |
2007 | High-performance double-row angular contact ball bearing is developed for industrial pumps Ball-screw shift actuator is developed for an outboard engine with the world's highest output |
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2008 | Solid lubrication angular contact ball bearings are developed for vacuum robots Manipulation system is developed for fine processing operations |
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2009 | Low-torque ball bearings are developed for hybrid cars High-performance standard NSKHPS™ Series angular contact ball bearings for industrial machinery are commercialized China Technology Center is completed, and a global system of 14 R & D sites is created |
![]() Electro-mechanical integrated column-type electric power steering (EPS) is developed ![]() |
2010 | HMS Series of ball screws is commercialized for high-speed machine tools |
![]() High-performance flywheel bearings are developed for satellite attitude control |
2011 | Ultra-long-life ball bearings are developed for automobile transmissions Energy-saving bearings are developed for high efficiency motors |
![]() High-efficiency toroidal variator module is developed for front-wheel drive vehicles |
![]() Cold-formed hub-unit bearings are developed for tire wheels ![]() |
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![]() Low-friction ball screws are developed for cooperative regenerative braking systems used in electric and hybrid cars |
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![]() Ball screws are developed for seismic dampers used in buildings |
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2012 | Hub-unit bearings with high-reliability seals are developed for tire wheels High-reliability tapered roller bearings with an anti-creep design are developed for mining dump truck wheels |
![]() Axle sensor bearings are developed for passenger rail vehicles |
2013 |
![]() Lubricating grease is developed entirely from food products |
|
2014 |
![]() Developed world's fastest high-load drive ball screw. |
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2015 |
![]() Developed world's largest "ultra-large class" ball screw with world-top-class level load capacity. |
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![]() Developed thrust needle bearings with world's smallest rollers for automotive automatic transmission planetary gear mechanisms. |
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2016 |
![]() Developed world's lightest column-type electric power steering(EPS) with steering wheel tilt mechanism. |