A small change with a big impact: Heat-resistant deep-groove ball bearings slash costs by approx. €115,000 p.a.
With its Asset Improvement Programme (AIP), NSK helps users of all kinds of machinery and equipment to find the ideal bearings for their application. Machine operators often seek NSK’s advice because they are experiencing specific problems – which is exactly what happened in the case of this particular food tin manufacturer. The producer used shielded deep-groove ball bearings in a continuous furnace and found that the bearings had an average service life of just 15 days.
Specialists from NSK assessed the bearings’ operating environment and established that the furnace had a maximum temperature of around 300°C. The bearings themselves reached a temperature of 120°C. This is much higher than the maximum temperature specified for conventional deep-groove ball bearings. The experts also discovered that the ambient air in the furnace was contaminated by particles of lacquer.
NSK then recommended the use of heat-stabilised bearings which are suitable for temperatures of up to 200°C. Thanks to NSK’s extensive materials expertise, the company has several materials in its portfolio which are compatible with high surrounding temperatures.
The seals on the new bearings are also designed to cope with the specific conditions. The furnace’s conveyor system is now fitted with deep-groove ball bearings featuring Viton seals, which means that the bearings can handle temperatures of up to 150°C. In addition to this, the seals keep ambient contamination out much more effectively than the shielded bearings previously used.
The user quickly acted on NSK’s recommendations, which proved highly effective. The bearings’ average service life was extended from 15 days to 3 months. On top of this, the whole conveyor’s operating life increased substantially – from 15 days to 6 months.
This simple replacement had impressive financial consequences. Before the AIP analysis, the cost of replacement bearings and changing the conveyor totalled €24,500. Labour costs for replacing the bearings came to almost €2,900 and production downtime set the manufacturer back €96,000. The total cost was therefore €123,400. Now, these expenses have fallen to just €8,400; purchasing the bearings themselves costs a mere €160. This is equivalent to annual savings of €115,000.
For more information contact: Mary Fletcher, Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: 0500 2327464 Fax: 01636 643075 Email: info-uk@nsk.com Web: www.nskeurope.com
NSK Europe Ltd
- 01636 605 123
- info-uk@nsk.com
- Belmont Place, Belmont Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 6TB GB
About us
Established over 100 years ago, NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) is a Japanese-listed company that has evolved from a regional ball bearing supplier to a roller bearing specialist and automotive supplier with a global market presence. Today, NSK employs more than 31,400 employees in 30 countries. As per March 2019, NSK achieved sales of 991,4 billion Yen. This result has been driven by ever-increasing investment in research & development, enabling the company to continuously improve the quality of its products and services. This investment supports NSK’s objective of “No. 1 in Total Quality”. In addition to a complete rolling bearing portfolio, NSK develops and manufactures precision components and mechatronic products, as well as systems and components for the automotive industry, including wheel bearing units and electric power-steering systems. In 1963, NSK’s first European subsidiary, Düsseldorf, Germany, was opened and in 1976, the first European production facility in Peterlee, England. Today, NSK Europe supports pan-European sales with production locations in England, Poland and Germany, logistics centres in the Netherlands, Germany and England and technology centres in Germany, England and Poland. In 1990, NSK purchased the UPI Group including the renowned European bearing manufacturer RHP, with its factory in Newark (UK). Additionally, NSK has developed a comprehensive network of authorised sales distributors. NSK Europe is divided into application-based business divisions: Industry rolling bearing technologies & linear and precision technology (EIBU) as well as bearing modules and steering systems for the automotive industry (EABU & ESBU). In this organisation, NSK Europe's 4,260 employees achieved a turnover of over 1,045 million Euros as per March 2019.
Where we supply to
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America
Industries we supply to
Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater
