NSK, Motion & Control
Bearing News
12/08/2009
NSK at the EMO: new spindle bearing designs
Rolling bearings for machine tools
The global machine tool industry is constantly demanding improved performance from ball and roller bearings used in the main spindles and auxiliary drives of machine tools. As a main supplier to many leading machine tool manufacturers, NSK offers a comprehensive range of high precision bearings. At EMO, NSK as one of the top international bearing suppliers, will present innovations for this demanding application area.
Among the innovations which NSK will present in Milan are special angular contact ball bearings from the Robust series, "Robust Slim". They are specifically designed for the support of machine tables and swivel head main spindles. The bearings are distinguished by their rotational accuracy and their size is significantly more compact than that of comparable cross-roller bearings. They offer outstanding running performance and allow high angular accelerations.
A further innovation is the "Oil Lubrication System" spindle bearing for oil-air lubrication directly through the bearing outer ring. The bearing is designed to eliminate the need for costly lubrication systems and result in savings in both system cost and space and allows the highest possible speeds with a long service life for the rolling bearings. The design is principally for oil lubrication requirements but can be adopted also for Grease Replenishing Systems, where the grease is cyclically introduced in very small amounts through the outer ring of the bearing.
The innovative "Robust Wide" spindle bearings also ensure optimum lubrication. The bearings, in ISO Series 20 & 29, are wider than standard series and thus have a larger bearing interior. In combination with the TYN cage design, the increase internal space significantly improves grease distribution and therefore drastically improves grease life and the service life of the bearings.
Using the example of a high-speed spindle, which is used in the production of the machining centre of a major German machine tool manufacturer, NSK will demonstrate the advantages of innovative material technology – an area in which the Japanese roller bearing manufacturer has a leading position. The bearings used in the spindle have rings manufactured from patented, heavy-duty steel. These types of spindle bearings made from SHX steel can be used up to an n x dm value of 2.5 million. The balls in these bearings are made from wear-resistant, heavy-duty ceramic, and the seals are optimised specifically for high-speed applications. In summary, this produces a spindle bearing that permits extreme speeds with extended service life lubrication and a significant contribution for the economical implementation of precise high efficiency milling & cutting spindles.
The Industrial Bearing Division of NSK will be exhibiting together with the Linear Products division, which also has a strong position in the machine-tool industry. In the product line up the Linear Division will be exhibiting at EMO are ballscrews and linear guides especially developed for machine tools, and new ballscrews, which are used primarily in presses and pipe bending machines.
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EMO Milan: October 5th. - 10th
NSK at the EMO: Hall 3, Booth F 21