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Introduction

An internationally renowned Italian Food Company was experiencing problems with its fixed tail drum conveyor bearings. Operating in a very damp environment bearings life was only 6 months. The company asked NSK to analyze the application and propose technical solutions to increase the bearing life. A solution was necessary in order to reduce maintenance costs, which had become excessive due to multiple failures. NSK proposed a heavy duty Spherical Roller bearing with Molded-Oil lubrication system. Performance was increased improving machine reliability and reducing maintenance costs.

Key Facts

  • Food production with frequent wash downs
  • Conveyor Tail Drum application
  • Regular bearing failures due to water ingress
  • NSK analyzed the application to find the best solution
  • Spherical Roller bearings with Molded-Oil Lubrication were suggested
  • Improved reliability and reduced maintenance costs were realized
  • Tail Drum Conveyor
  • Molded-Oil Bearings

Value Proposals

  • Failed bearing analysis and application review
  • NSK proposed Spherical Roller Bearings with Molded-Oil to replace the existing greased double-row ball bearing
  • Change resulted in 15 months maintenance free operation
  • Improved machine reliability allowed maintenance intervals to be increased
  • Additional tests are on-going in order to verify the possibility of increasing the bearing life even more
  • Cost saving calculation based on reducing maintenance costs and reducing unplanned failures

Product Features

  • High Capacity Spherical Roller Bearings with Machined Brass Cage and Molded-Oil lubrication system provides a maintenance free bearing solution
  • Grease-free property with no oil refilling keeps operating environments clean
  • Operating life more than twice as long as grease lubrication, in water or dust-contaminated environment
  • Achieves extended maintenance-free performance as Molded-Oil provides a continuous supply of lubricant.
  • Available for high speed applications
  • Available in ball bearing, spherical roller bearing and tapered roller bearings types

Cost Saving Breakdown

Before Cost p.a. NSK Solution Cost p.a.
Bearing replacement: $2,302 Bearing Replacement: $1,918
Production loss: 
6 production lines × 3 maintenance stops × 3 hours × $3,731/h 
$201,474 Production loss: The bearings can be replaced during standard maintenance – bearings are still running after 15 months $281
Maintenance: 6 production lines
× 3 maintenance stops × 2 persons × 3 hours × $32/h 
$3,454 Maintenance: none $0
Total Costs $207,244 $2,199

Reference:SS-E-4004