The AXW series is a specific type of thrust needle roller and cage assembly. Unlike the standard AXK series which is a complete unit including a thrust washer, the AXW typically consists only of the needle rollers and their retaining cage. This assembly is not a standalone bearing; it is designed to be installed between two hardened and ground thrust washers (or between suitably hardened surfaces of the mating components), which then act as the raceways. The primary advantage of this design is the extremely low axial cross-section it achieves, making it the ideal choice for applications where axial space is critically limited and the highest possible thrust load capacity is required within that minimal space.
