Rising to industry demands with reliable and robust bearings

An upsurge in food contamination cases has called for a higher demand for machine safety and reliability, while easier methods of maintenance are also high on the list of priorities. Cost-effective production must be facilitated, and outstanding performance and maintenance operation assured.

So, with such a need for continuous high-speed operation, and meeting the most stringent hygiene standards for years, what is it that’s really needed?

The answer: reliable and robust bearings.

Bearing applications in the food and beverage sector are vast and varied, from raw material cutting and mixing (primary) to conveying, inspection and packing solutions (secondary). But they all have one thing in common. They must be safe and sanitary.

Essentially, the food production process is divided into two main steps: pre-processing – washing, cutting and sorting; and post-processing – distribution, filling and packing. And NSK’s core technologies have responded to the demanding needs of the industry, contributing to improved performance in food processing machinery.

Hitting the sweet spot

Since the discovery to turn sugarcane into granulated crystals, sugar has become a daily commodity. We have it in our tea. We love it on our cereal. We even borrow it to and from our neighbours. But there’s so much to the process until it tingles our tastebuds - and NSK’s innovative technology has hit the sweet spot for many sugarcane mills across the globe.

Silver by name. Gold by nature.

Comprising high-grade Stainless Steel bearing rings, cage and balls with seal core and grubscrews, grease nipples and bolt-hole liners, the Silver-Lube® series’ thermoplastic polyester resin housing is not only non-corrodible, but has excellent resistance to cleaning agents and chemicals. And at a wide temperature range - from -20°C to +90°C.

In comparison, the Life-Lube® series combines the chemical properties of the Silver-Lube® with the excellent sealing and lubricating attributes of moulded oil inserts. Further to the design, they’re manufactured with paint-free housings to prevent chipping and flaking, meaning they’re ideal for environments where contact with water and process fluids is unavoidable.

A barrel load of savings

A European producer of machines for vegetable treatment was experiencing costly problems with its barrel washers. As the washer drum rotated, it placed the bearings under water once per spin. This continuous cycle left the bearings needing to be replaced every three months due to water washout, leading to severe corrosion.

The issue was investigated and a bearing arrangement with better sealing performance was proposed, and special Triple-Lip Sealed bearings were installed.

The new bearing arrangement contained nitrile rubber triple-lip units, which were bonded to the protective pressed steel shield to help withstand exposure to water and other contamination, and mounted on the shaft with a balled setscrew to provide a greater resistance to loosening.

The simple replacement and installation provided the customer with a cost saving of €56,600 through increased productivity, while extended re-lubrication intervals greatly reduced maintenance costs and increased the bearings lifecycles from three months to more than seven.

Looking to the future

As the industry continues to develop, eyes will get wider and wider, with standards becoming higher and higher. Only by investing in the right technology for your application, ideally at the opening phase, will you ensure that your production and efficiency KPIs are met and regulations adhered to.

Then, you will reap the benefits of higher productivity, reduced downtime, minimised maintenance, and a lower Total Cost of Ownership.