Bearing NU 4918 DKF

Be the first who will post an article to this item!

DKF (Deutsche Kugellagerfabrik) is a renowned German manufacturer of industrial ball bearings. The company was established in 1904 by Friedrich Wilhelm Witte in Leipzig, and initially produced radial and axial deep groove ball bearings up to 150mm in diameter. Ten years later, DKF expanded its portfolio and started producing needle rollers and complete assembled needle roller bearings.

In 1930, DKF developed a new type of precision ball bearing known as the separating ball bearing, which could absorb both radial and axial forces simultaneously, making it a patent and later a DIN standard. In 1932, UKF Universal-Kugellager-Fabrik GmbH was founded in Berlin-Charlottenburg to offer the new designed separating ball bearing as a universal bearing to replace seven different types of angular contact ball bearings.

Over the years, DKF has continued to innovate and expand its product line, producing needle and deep groove ball bearings, radial and axial bearings, and four point contact ball bearings with split outer rings. During World War II, DKF also produced special bearings for aircraft and tank engines.

In 1945, all DKF plants were confiscated by the Soviet Union for reparation payment purposes. However, by 1947, urgently needed bearings were again made available for the German market.

In the 1960s, DKF used a fully automatic assembly line in Berlin, and in the 1980s, new NC machines were installed. In 1989, the Steyr bearing factory was sold to SKF, and former employees founded the STC-Steyr cooperation in Steyr, Austria. With the end of the GDR in 1990, DKF was sold to FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schäfer KGaA, which later sold all eight bearing plants to the Schaeffler Group in 1990.

Today, DKF Deutsche Kugellagerfabriken GmbH (DKF Group) continues the tradition of manufacturing ball bearings at its Berlin location. The group members STC-Steyr and UKF develop and produce various types and sizes of bearings. With over 80 years of experience, DKF is a trusted and reputable brand in the bearing industry, and customers can rely on their products for precision, durability, and reliability.