Types of Bearings Used in Logistics Drones

Logistics drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for transporting goods as part of the supply chain. Unlike hobby drones or purely military UAVs, logistics drones focus on carrying payloads efficiently and reliably, making them invaluable in modern supply chain operations. They play a growing role in automating deliveries and material handling, often tackling tasks faster or more cost-effectively than traditional ground transport. Key applications of logistics drones include:

Last-mile delivery. Autonomous aerial delivery of packages to homes and businesses. Companies are using drones to drop e-commerce orders, food, and retail goods directly to customers, reducing delivery times and bypassing road traffic.

Warehouse automation. Indoor drones are patrolling warehouses for inventory management and stock movement. Small drones can scan barcodes on high shelves or shuttle lightweight items between storage zones, enhancing warehouse efficiency without reconfiguring infrastructure.

Medical supply transport: Urgent delivery of medical supplies, blood units, or vaccines to remote clinics and hospitals. Drones can quickly fly critical medications over impassable roads or congested city traffic, a life-saving innovation in healthcare logistics.

Maritime logistics: Ship-to-shore and offshore deliveries using drones. In ports and offshore industries, drones carry essential parts, documents, or samples between land and vessels or oil rigs, eliminating the need to dispatch manned boats for small deliveries.

The future outlook for logistics drones is extremely promising. Industry forecasts predict rapid growth in the deployment of delivery and cargo drones worldwide. As regulations catch up and technology matures, annual double-digit growth is expected in the drone delivery sector. By 2030, the drone logistics market could reach tens of billions of dollars globally, with fleets of autonomous drones performing routine deliveries. Major logistics and e-commerce companies are already piloting drone delivery networks, signaling that aerial supply chain solutions will soon move from experimental to mainstream. In summary, logistics drones are set to revolutionize modern supply chains by enabling faster, more flexible deliveries and expanding the reach of transportation networks.

Pacific International Bearing Sales (PIB Sales) provides high-performance precision bearings to drone manufacturers and operators. As a specialized bearing supplier with decades of experience, PIB Sales supports drone Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) at every stage – from prototype development to mass production – ensuring that each UAV is equipped with the right bearings for optimum performance. The company offers an extensive catalog of aerospace-grade bearings, including miniature ball bearings, thin-section bearings, angular contact bearings, and custom designs tailored for UAV applications. By partnering with top-tier bearing brands (such as NMB, SKF, TPI, and others), PIB Sales ensures that drone manufacturers and hobbyists alike have access to the best quality components for critical moving parts.

Some key reasons why the right bearing choice matters in logistics drones:

• Reliability –  Drones operate with minimal human intervention, so every component must be dependable. A failed bearing in flight could cause a motor to seize or a rotor to destabilize, potentially leading to a crash. By using proven precision bearings (often ABEC-5/7 grade or higher), drone OEMs ensure long service life and reduce the risk of mid-air failures.
  
• Load handling – Logistics drones often carry heavier payloads than recreational drones, which puts significant stress on their rotating parts. Bearings must support both the radial loads (spinning rotors, wheels, or pulleys) and axial loads (thrust from lift or weight of a payload) without deforming or wearing out. Proper bearing selection – for instance, using angular contact bearings or tapered roller bearings in high-thrust areas – allows the drone to handle these loads safely. PIB Sales assists engineers in selecting bearings with the right load ratings and designs (e.g., choosing a thrust bearing to take up vertical forces).
  
• Energy efficiency –  Every watt of power and every gram of weight is critical in an electric drone, since battery capacity is limited. Low-friction bearings minimize the energy lost to friction in motors and propellers, directly extending flight time. Likewise, lightweight bearing options (such as hybrid ceramic ball bearings or thin-section bearings) can reduce the overall weight of the drone. By optimizing bearing choices, PIB Sales helps drones convert more of their battery power into useful lift and range. For example, replacing a standard steel bearing with a hybrid ceramic bearing can reduce drag and heat at high RPM, improving motor efficiency and possibly yielding a few extra minutes of flight. Over a fleet of delivery drones, those efficiency gains are extremely valuable.
  

Types of Bearings Used in Logistics Drones

A variety of bearing types are used throughout a logistics drone’s design, each tailored to specific functions and load conditions. Drones combine multiple bearing solutions to achieve stable flight and long service life. For example, a single delivery drone might use miniature ball bearings in its motors, an angular contact bearing pair in the main rotor hub, thrust bearings to support vertical loads, and perhaps even roller bearings in heavy-load joints or landing gear. Bearing selection depends on the drone’s size, payload, and mission profile. 

Below is a comparison of common bearing types found in logistics drones, highlighting their advantages, typical part number examples, and how they are used in the drone’s subsystems:

Bearing Type	Advantages & Features	Example Part Numbers	Typical Drone Usage
Ball Bearings (Deep Groove)	Low friction, high-speed rotation; handles radial and mild axial loads; compact and lightweight; most widely used general-purpose bearing type in drones.	SMR115 (5×11×4 mm miniature), 608-2RS (8×22×7 mm), 6202 series	Ceramic ball + steel race construction reduces weight by ~60%; extremely smooth, low-friction rolling for cooler operation; higher RPM limits than all-steel bearings; resistant to corrosion and electrically insulating.
Roller Bearings (Tapered or Cylindrical)	Very high load capacity for both radial (cylindrical) and combined radial/axial (tapered) loads; provides robust support for heavy-duty applications; however, larger and heavier than ball bearings, with higher friction.	30302 (tapered roller), N204 (cylindrical roller)	Large drone main rotor bearings, heavy payload support joints, drone gearboxes or drive trains, delivery drone hubs and axles requiring extra durability.
Ceramic Bearings (Hybrid Ball)	High-performance drone motors (racing or long-endurance UAVs), alternators/generators in advanced drones, any application where maximizing efficiency and lifespan justifies a higher cost.	SMR115C (hybrid ceramic version of 5×11×4 mm), 608 hybrid (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> balls)	Large drone main rotor bearings, heavy payload support joints, drone gearboxes or drive trains, delivery drone hubs, and axles requiring extra durability.
Angular Contact Bearings (Single-Row)	Engineered for significant axial (thrust) loads along with radial loads; high stiffness and thrust capacity, especially when mounted as back-to-back pairs; maintain precise alignment under heavy axial stress.	7204B (20×47×14 mm single angular contact), pairs of 7000-series bearings matched for preload	Motor shafts (brushless motors), propeller hubs, small gimbal pivots, and rotor shafts are used in most UAVs.
Thrust Bearings (Axial Ball or Roller)	Motor shafts (brushless motors), propeller hubs, small gimbal pivots, and rotor shafts are used in most UAVs.	51104 (thrust ball bearing), AXK series (needle thrust washer assemblies)	Vertical shaft supports (e.g., supporting upward thrust in multi-rotors or lift fans), propeller thrust stacks (to keep props from shifting under lift), and camera gimbal rotation axes carrying camera weight.

Ball Bearings (Deep Groove)

Ball bearings are the workhorse of drone mechanisms. In particular, deep groove ball bearings are used extensively in logistics drones due to their versatility and compact design. A deep groove ball bearing consists of an inner and outer ring with a row of precision steel balls running in deep raceway grooves. This simple construction can support high radial loads (forces perpendicular to the shaft) and moderate axial loads (along the shaft) in either direction, making them ideal for most rotating parts on a drone.

In practice, nearly all drone motors and propellers rely on deep groove ball bearings. For instance, the brushless motors that spin a drone’s rotors at high speeds use pairs of miniature ball bearings to support the rotor shaft. These bearings minimize friction so the motor can convert battery power into thrust efficiently. A well-made small ball bearing can handle astonishing rotational speeds – for example, a common mini bearing like SMR115 (5 mm bore × 11 mm OD × 4 mm width) is often rated for 50,000+ RPM. Such bearings enable drone propellers to spin smoothly at tens of thousands of revolutions per minute without overheating or wearing out. In propeller hubs, two deep groove ball bearings hold the prop shaft centered and stable, reducing vibration and ensuring balanced, wobble-free rotation. Ball bearings are also found in drone camera gimbals (for pan and tilt joints) and in folding arm hinges of some drones. Their low friction and small form factor help maximize flight time and keep drone mechanisms responsive. Because of their broad capabilities – high speed, adequate load support, and light weight – ball bearings are the most common bearing type in logistics drones, from small quadcopters to larger cargo drones.

Roller Bearings

Roller bearings are used in logistics drones when exceptionally high load capacity or stiffness is required. Unlike ball bearings, which have point contact, roller bearings use cylindrical or tapered rolling elements that have line contact with the races. This design spreads loads over a larger area, allowing roller bearings to support heavier loads. In drones, two main sub-types are relevant: cylindrical roller bearings (which handle high radial loads) and tapered roller bearings (which handle combined radial and axial loads).

Tapered roller bearings are particularly valuable for heavy-lift drones or drone systems that experience significant thrust along with radial loads. A tapered roller bearing has cone-shaped rollers and raceways, designed so it can support axial thrust in one direction as well as radial forces. Large logistics drones or eVTOL platforms (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles) might use tapered rollers in their main rotor shafts or in critical joints that carry the weight of cargo. For example, the hub supporting a large propeller on a delivery drone may incorporate a pair of small automotive-style tapered roller bearings to ensure the shaft can handle the weight of a payload and the dynamic forces of flight without excessive wear. Cylindrical roller bearings, on the other hand, could appear in high-load gearboxes or pulley systems within a drone (for instance, a winch mechanism on a drone that lowers cargo, or the transmission of a drone with a hybrid engine drive).

The advantage of roller bearings is their robustness under load – they excel in drones that carry heavy payloads or must endure continuous operation. A delivery drone designed to carry several kilograms of cargo over long distances might use roller bearings in places where ordinary ball bearings would wear out too quickly. However, roller bearings are generally larger and heavier than ball bearings, and they have higher friction due to the sliding contact of the rollers’ ends. This means they can slightly reduce flight efficiency and add weight, so engineers use them only where necessary. In summary, roller bearings ensure durability and load-bearing safety in logistics drones built for heavy-duty tasks, at the cost of some extra weight and friction. Properly implemented, they greatly extend the service life of drones performing demanding jobs like package delivery or offshore supply, where component failure is not an option.

Ceramic Bearings (Hybrid Ball Bearings)

Ceramic bearings in drones typically refer to hybrid ceramic ball bearings, which combine metal races (usually 52100 chrome or 440C stainless steel) with ceramic balls. These advanced bearings are used in logistics drones to push the performance envelope for efficiency and longevity. The ceramic balls are extremely hard and polished to ultra-smooth surfaces, and they are also much lighter than steel balls – roughly 60% lighter. By swapping steel balls for ceramic, the bearing’s rotating mass is reduced significantly. This yields several key benefits for drone applications:

• Higher RPM and efficiency: With lower mass and almost frictionless rolling contact, hybrid ceramic bearings generate less friction and heat at high speeds. Drone motors equipped with ceramic ball bearings can run at higher RPMs or run cooler at normal speeds. This is crucial for high-performance delivery drones that need maximum motor efficiency to extend flight time. Many racing drone enthusiasts report improved throttle response and a slight gain in flight duration after upgrading to ceramic-hybrid motor bearings.
  
• Weight reduction: Every gram saved is valuable for a drone. Although bearings are small, using lighter ceramic balls trims a bit of weight from each motor. In a multi-rotor drone with multiple motors and numerous bearings, the weight savings add up, contributing to longer flights and higher payload capacity.
  
• Durability and reliability: Ceramic materials do not rust and are not prone to pitting from moisture or poor lubrication. Hybrid ceramic bearings, therefore, have superior corrosion resistance — a drone flying in humid, rainy, or maritime environments benefits from bearings that won’t corrode. Additionally, ceramic balls are extremely hard and wear-resistant, so these bearings maintain their precision for a long time. They also act as electrical insulators, which can protect sensitive motor components from electrical currents passing through the bearing (useful in high-power electric propulsion systems).
  

Hybrid ceramic bearings are often used selectively in logistics drones due to their higher cost. Typically, critical components that demand top performance get the upgrade: for instance, the primary lift motors on a long-range delivery drone or the generator bearings in a solar-powered high-endurance UAV. PIB Sales offers hybrid ceramic versions of many standard drone bearings (denoted by a “C” in the part number, e.g., SMR115C) for customers looking to reduce friction or solve issues like bearing overheating. Fully ceramic bearings (with ceramic races and balls) also exist and provide even more weight savings and zero magnetic signature, but they are very expensive and somewhat brittle. Those are rarely seen in logistics drones, except possibly in specialized aerospace or research UAVs. In summary, the use of ceramic bearing technology in drones is a prime example of how materials engineering can enhance UAV performance – yielding longer-lasting, more efficient bearings that help logistics drones fly farther and require less maintenance.

Angular Contact Bearings

Angular contact ball bearings are a specialized type of ball bearing designed to support significant axial loads in one direction, in addition to radial loads. The raceways of an angular contact bearing are tilted relative to the bearing axis, which means the balls contact the races at an angle (the “contact angle”). This construction allows one side of the bearing to take on thrust (axial force) very effectively. However, an angular contact bearing can typically only handle heavy axial load in one direction. For this reason, they are often used in opposing pairs (installed back-to-back or face-to-face) so that thrust in either direction is supported by one of the bearings in the pair.

In logistics drones, angular contact bearings are used in positions where substantial thrust forces occur along with radial loads. A prime example is the main rotor shaft of a heavy-lift drone or delivery drone. The weight of payload and the force of lift generate axial thrust down through the rotor shaft; an angular contact bearing (or a pair of them) can be placed to absorb that upward or downward force while still allowing smooth rotation. By comparison, a standard deep groove ball bearing in that position might wear out quickly or allow the shaft to flex under heavy load, since deep groove bearings aren’t optimized for large thrust loads. Another application is in multirotor drones that use coaxial rotors or stacked propulsion systems – the lower rotor in a coaxial pair may be supported by an angular contact bearing to carry the thrust from the rotor above it. Angular contact bearings also appear in some drone wheel assemblies or hinged joints (for instance, on delivery drones that have small landing wheels or on tilting rotor mechanisms in VTOL drones). Wherever a drone design calls for high axial stiffness and precise alignment under load, these bearings are considered.

The advantage of angular contact bearings is their stiffness and stability under combined loads. When mounted correctly (often as a preloaded pair with the contact angles opposite each other), they virtually eliminate axial play (end-to-end movement of the shaft) and can handle shock loads from hard maneuvers or heavy payloads without losing alignment. This ensures critical components like rotors remain true and do not wobble as the drone carries out dynamic movements. For maintenance professionals, it’s important to note that angular contact bearings must be installed in the correct orientation and often replaced as matched sets to maintain performance. PIB Sales supplies high-precision angular contact bearings, including miniature versions made by aerospace manufacturers, to drone OEMs who need extra thrust capacity. By using angular contacts in the right spots, designers of logistics drones achieve greater reliability and structural integrity when lifting heavy loads or executing aggressive flight patterns, all without excessively increasing bearing size.

Thrust Bearings

Thrust bearings are bearings specifically intended to support axial loads – that is, forces that act along the axis of a shaft. In a thrust bearing, the rolling elements (which can be balls or rollers like needles) are arranged to take load in the direction of the shaft rather than perpendicular to it. Thrust bearings generally come in two styles relevant to drones: thrust ball bearings, which use balls sandwiched between two washer-like race plates, and thrust roller bearings (often needle-type), which use cylindrical rollers in a similar sandwich arrangement. Both types serve the same purpose of handling axial forces.

In logistics drones, thrust bearings are deployed to reinforce areas where components would otherwise be pushed apart by axial loads. A common use case is in a drone’s propeller or rotor stack: as the propeller generates lift, it wants to “pull” upward on its shaft. A small thrust bearing can be placed either above or below the prop hub to take this upward thrust, preventing the propeller from shifting along the shaft. Without a thrust bearing, a standard radial ball bearing might end up taking that axial force on its sides, leading to increased wear or even failure. By adding a dedicated thrust bearing, the axial force is safely transferred through the robust thrust bearing and into the drone frame, sparing the radial bearings from undue stress. Another application is in coaxial rotors or vertical lift fans, where one rotor pushes against the frame – a thrust bearing can support the rotor’s base.

Thrust bearings are also found in drone gimbals and payload release mechanisms. For example, the pivot of a heavy camera gimbal that supports the camera’s weight might include a thrust bearing to carry the downward force of the camera, ensuring the motion remains smooth without axial slop. Similarly, a winch on a drone used for lowering packages could use a thrust bearing to support the drum’s vertical load.

One characteristic of thrust bearings is that they are often used in combination with radial bearings. In practice, a thrust bearing might be paired right next to a deep groove ball bearing on a shaft: the ball bearing guides rotation and handles radial loads, while the thrust bearing handles the axial component. This combination provides a more robust support in all directions. The maintenance of thrust bearings in drones involves ensuring they remain clean and free of excessive axial play; if a thrust bearing wears out, the drone may develop noticeable play or vibration in that axis. PIB Sales provides axial bearing solutions such as miniature ball bearings (e.g., the 51100 series) and needle thrust washers for UAV designs. By integrating thrust bearings into logistics drones where needed, engineers prevent components from drifting or separating under load, thereby improving stability and safety during critical operations like lifting off with a heavy package or stabilizing a high-value sensor.

Conclusion 

As we have seen, different bearing types — ball, roller, ceramic hybrid, angular contact, and thrust bearings — each contribute unique strengths to a drone’s design. By carefully selecting and sourcing these components, drone manufacturers can build UAVs that fly longer, carry more, and require minimal maintenance even under tough conditions. This is where PIB Sales delivers exceptional value: with our wide inventory of high-quality bearings and deep engineering expertise, we help drone OEMs and maintenance professionals choose optimal bearing solutions for every application. Whether it’s a tiny gimbal pivot or a massive cargo drone rotor, PIB Sales has the products and knowledge to keep it running reliably.

As the era of drone logistics takes flight, having a trusted bearing partner is more important than ever. PIB Sales’ value proposition lies in our commitment to customer success — we offer personalized technical assistance, custom bearing modifications (such as special coatings or lubricants for drone use), and efficient supply chain services to ensure you get the right parts exactly when you need them. Our team has experience working with UAV designers across aerospace, delivery, and industrial sectors, making us uniquely qualified to support the next generation of drone innovation.

For technical assistance or bearing selection for your UAV systems, please contact us at [email protected]. We are ready to help you elevate your drone projects with the highest performance bearings available.

FAQ

Q: What types of bearings are best for delivery drones?
A: Delivery drones typically use a combination of bearing types. High-quality deep groove ball bearings are used in the drone’s motors and propeller hubs for their low friction and high-speed capabilities. For drones carrying heavier packages, angular contact bearings or tapered roller bearings may be used in the main rotor shafts or frame joints to support the extra axial loads and ensure stability under weight. In essence, the best bearings for delivery drones are those that can handle the drone’s specific load profile: lightweight ball bearings for general use, supplemented by higher-load bearings (angular contact or roller) in critical high-stress areas. Using corrosion-resistant materials (like stainless or hybrid ceramic bearings) is also beneficial since delivery drones often operate outdoors in varying weather.

Q: How do ceramic bearings improve drone performance?
A: Ceramic bearings (specifically hybrid ceramic ball bearings) improve drone performance in several ways. First, the ceramic balls are much lighter than steel, which means the motors encounter less rotating mass – this reduces energy loss and allows motors to spin up faster. Second, ceramic balls have an ultra-smooth surface and generate lower friction, so the bearings run cooler and more efficiently. This translates to reduced power draw and can extend flight times marginally. Third, ceramic bearings are corrosion-resistant and can handle high temperatures without degradation, making them very durable even in harsh conditions or long flights. All these factors (less friction, less weight, greater durability) help a drone’s motors and other moving parts operate at peak efficiency, which overall improves the drone’s performance and longevity.