About Heim Bearings
About Heim BearingsRod Ends & Spherical Bearings
Heim Bearings traces its history to Lewis Heim, who entered the then-nascent business of precision-made rolling type bearings in 1910 by forming the Ball and Roller Bearing Company in Danbury, Connecticut. Heim went on to invent the Spherical Rod End Bearing, a design that became so closely identified with him that it is still widely known today as the Heim Joint or Heim Rod End, and he formally founded Heim Bearings in 1932.
Heim developed a four-piece spherical bearing for installation in fighter aircraft control systems to improve maneuverability, and in 1942 the U.S. Army Air Force awarded the Heim Company of Fairfield, Connecticut the sole contract to produce spherical rod end bearings for that application. Building on that innovation, Heim later developed spherical plain bearings that eliminated the long rod used in earlier rod end designs, expanding their use into textile looms, levers, and general machinery.
In 1993, Heim was purchased by RBC Bearings, a leading manufacturer of highly engineered bearing products, and today Heim Bearings operates as part of RBC Bearings, continuing to manufacture rod ends, spherical bearings, and rolling element bearings under the Heim name. ChatMRO helps engineering and maintenance teams source Heim Bearings rod ends and spherical bearings by matching exact bore size and thread specification against verified stock.
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Frequently asked questions
Who invented the Heim Joint?
The Heim Joint, also known as the Heim Rod End, was invented by Lewis Heim, who founded Heim Bearings in 1932. Heim had entered the precision bearing business in 1910 by forming the Ball and Roller Bearing Company in Danbury, Connecticut.
What was the original application for Heim's spherical rod end bearing?
Heim originally developed a four-piece spherical bearing for installation in fighter aircraft control systems to improve maneuverability. In 1942, the U.S. Army Air Force awarded Heim the sole contract to produce spherical rod end bearings for this purpose.
What is the difference between a rod end and a spherical plain bearing?
A rod end, or Heim Joint, includes a long rod or shank attached to the spherical bearing housing, typically threaded for mounting. Heim later developed spherical plain bearings that omit that rod, making them suitable for textile looms, levers, and general machinery applications.
Who owns Heim Bearings today?
Heim Bearings has been part of RBC Bearings since 1993, when RBC acquired the company. RBC Bearings is a leading manufacturer of highly engineered bearing products, and Heim continues to operate under its own name within that organization.
What products does Heim Bearings manufacture today?
Heim Bearings manufactures rod ends, spherical plain bearings, and rolling element bearings. These products remain widely used across aerospace, industrial, and off-highway equipment applications where the original Heim Joint design first proved its value.