Designed to cope with thrust loads when operating at high speeds, NSK thrust ball bearings have a 'washer-like' bearing ring for the balls. Bearings are classified as plain bearing or alignment bearing depending on the shape of the outer ring bearing. While these bearings can carry axial loads at high speeds, they cannot carry radial loads. NSK features thrust ball bearings in two designs, one-way and two-way. Bearings designed in one direction consist of a shaft, housing washers, a single ball and two rings as a cage group. The bidirectional design consists of three washers, two balls and cage groups. The ball and cage groups of the bidirectional type are separated by a shaft washer.