Maintenance-free bearings cut downtime

27-Jan-2017 - Last updated on 06-Feb-2017 at 17:00 GMT

By switching to a maintenance-free type of bearing, an unnamed UK milk processing plant is claimed to have achieved annual savings of £10,000 caused by repeated bearing failures in an inaccessible area on one of its principal conveyors, where re-lubrication was difficult.

The Molded-Oil oil-impregnated solid material bearings from NSK release oil from the unit’s internal system on demand without the need for replenishment.

Their use has overcome the problem of bearings having to be changed every 10 weeks, leading to downtime of three hours.

NSK also recommended the use of Silver-Lube corrosion-resistant polymer housings, which are said to be ideal where frequent wash-down is required. Silver-Lube has nitrile rubber seals, is approved by the public health and safety body NSF and comes in four different geometries.

Suitable for working temperatures from -20°C to 90°C, the housings ensure long life and low cost of ownership.

Silver-Lube housings and Molded-Oil inserts are therefore claimed to deliver increased operating life in a single unit.

Contact: NSK UK