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Cement Fan - Bearings inspection

Fans and blowers are extremely important plant components for a number of industry segments, including cement, steel, petrochemical, mining and quarrying, waste removal, and the food and beverage industries. 

Depending on the direction in which the air or gas flows, there are two major types of fans, centrifugal and axial.
Axial fans, the flow goes through the fan, parallel to the fan’s axis. 
By contrast, the air or gas enters a centrifugal fan parallel to the drive system's axis (i.e. axially) and is forced out radially by the rotating impeller. There are also various different drive systems: direct drives, belt drives and clutch drives.

NSK bearings run extremely quiet, have a long service life and are very reliable – even in the most demanding ambient conditions characterised by high speeds, contamination, moisture and high temperatures.

NSK can offer a product solution for these tough conditions in various industries.

Operating conditions: difficult environment with factors such as high speeds, high temperatures, contamination from dust and voltage fluctuations


Direct drives are often used for compact fans. The impeller is mounted  directly onto the electric motor’s driven shaft, putting a great deal of strain on the bearings in the fan’s electric motors. In these operating conditions, bearings can wear prematurely, leading to downtime and unwanted maintenance costs.
Single-row deep-groove ball bearings are the most common type of bearing used for direct drive systems.

Ceramic Ball Bearings for Fan Motors



Shaft voltage induced predominantly by operation of electric motors on variable frequency drives (adjustable speed drives) creates an environment where electrical discharge current can flow through the bearing. This intermittent current flow can create arc pits that damage the bearing’s internal surfaces and lubrication, causing electrical erosion. A solution to this phenomenon is NSK deep-groove ball bearings with ceramic balls, called ceramic hybrid bearings.  These specialty bearings offer protection from current flow through the bearing by using the exceptionally high electrical insulating properties of ceramic balls to create a high resistance barrier between the bearing’s steel rings.  

Our innovations:
High-temperature sealed deep-groove ball bearings 
Deep-groove ball bearings in different sizes and designs

Operating conditions: high and unevenly distributed loads, high speeds and temperatures, contamination


The electric motor is mounted parallel to the fan’s impeller. In this case, power is transferred via one or more V-belts and pulleys. This design is usually used for medium to large fans. High volume flows and a build-up of heat can cause the bearings to wear out prematurely, resulting in production downtime and high maintenance costs.

Plummer blocks – the SNN series


The SNN series of plummer blocks from NSK features five different sealing arrangements to meet a range of requirements. The individual components are easy to fit, remove and maintain. Together with advantages such as high rigidity and good heat transfer, the split housings in the SNN series help to reduce costs.
 
Our innovations: 
NSKHPS Spherical Roller Bearings 
Self-Lube® Units 
Self-Lube® HLT Inserts 
Self-Lube® Inserts with Flinger Seals

Operating conditions: axial displacement, high and unevenly distributed loads, high speeds, extreme temperatures, contamination

The electric motor is mounted on the same axis as the fan’s impeller. The shafts of the electric motor and the fan are connected by a torsionally flexible coupling. This method of connecting the impeller with the electric drive is mainly used for medium and large fans.

The tough conditions can cause the bearings to wear out prematurely, reducing productivity and driving up maintenance costs.

NSKHPS spherical roller bearings


NSK’s compact HPS spherical roller bearings last twice as long as conventional products, even in extreme operating conditions. Their long service life and high performance reduce maintenance costs and boost productivity.

Our innovation:
SNN series of Plummer blocks 

SNN Series Plummer Blocks

  >>

Self-Lube® Units

A versatile range of housings and inserts, suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.  >>

Self-Lube® Inserts with Flinger Seals

Specially designed to provide the insert with additional protection from external contaminants.  >>

Self-Lube® HLT Inserts

These inserts provide opportunities to reduce maintenance, downtime and replacement costs in operation at extreme temperatures.  >>

NSKHPS Series Roller Bearings

Advanced material technology offering higher speeds and higher load ratings.  >>

High Temperature Sealed Deep Groove Ball Bearings

Specially created to run in a contaminated environment, and under high temperatures, up to 150°C.  >>

Ceramic Ball Bearings for Fan Motors

Prevention of bearing damage with ceramic, anti-electrical corrosion ball bearings.  >>
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SNN Series Plummer Blocks

High Performance Modular Bearing Housing

Ball Bearing Unit
Deep Groove Ball Bearings

Deep Groove Ball Bearings

SAF Pillow Blocks

SAF Pillow Blocks