Success Story
Industry: Food and Beverage
Application: Mecatherm Dough Mixer
Cost Savings: $51,236
Introduction
A major UK bakery was experiencing regular bearing failures on their Mecatherm Dough Mixer. Bearings needed to be replaced every 2 to 3 months resulting in high maintenance cost and loss of production.
NSK reviewed the bearing application and recommended NSKHPS Spherical Roller Bearings. This improved bearing life significantly by 3 to 4 times and therefore reduced unplanned downtime.
Key Facts
- 2 Mecatherm Dough Mixers in use
- Dough Mixer application requires heavy load capacity together with bearings that can accomodate swashing caused by shaft deflection
- Original bearings only lasted between 2-3 months due to application conditions
- NSK Solution: NSKHPS (High Performance Standard) Spherical Roller Bearings ideal for heavy loads
- Bearing life extended by 3 to 4 times
- Reduced maintenance requirements resulting in a significant cost savings
- Dough Mixer
- NSKHPS Spherical Roller Bearings
Value Proposals
- NSK Engineers reviewed bearing application including an analysis of the failed bearings
- Recommended NSKHPS Spherical Roller Bearings
- A trial of NSKHPS bearings resulted in increased bearing life by 3 to 4 times
Product Features
- Highest load rating SRB's
- Optimum raceway design & surface finishing
- Brass cage design (CAM) or strengthened steel cage (EA)
- High cleanliness Z-steel
- Temperature stability: up to 200° C
- 40 mm to 260 mm bore size
- Up to twice the operating life
- Up to 20% higher limiting speed
- Dynamic load rating: 25% higher
- Lower maintenance cost and improved productivity
- High load rating enables downsizing
Cost Saving Breakdown
| Before | Cost p.a. | NSK Solution | Cost p.a. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost production: 12hrs x $640/hr x 8/year | $61,440 | Lost production: 12hrs x $640/hr x 2/year | $15,360 | |
| Labor cost: $24/hr x 24hrs x 8/year | $4,608 | Labor cost: $24x 24 hrs x 4/year | $2,304 | |
| Bearings costs | $921 | Bearings costs | $460 | |
| Engineering support | $2,391 | Engineering support | $0 | |
| Total Costs | $69,360 | $18,124 | ||
Reference:SS-E-2047
