Success Story
Industry: Food & Beverage
Application: Germination Vessel - Stirrer Units
Cost Savings: $57,373
Introduction
A supplier for a major UK Brewery was experiencing regular bearing failures in their grain stirrer application. Bearings needed to be replaced regularly resulting in high replacement costs and loss of production. NSK reviewed the application and advised that a Spherical Roller Bearing would be better suited to the application. This bearing recommendation resulted in longer bearing life and reduced unplanned downtime.
- Germination Vessel - Stirrer Unit
- SWR series Spherical Roller Bearing
Key Facts
- 4 Germination Vessels
- 22 Stirrer Units per Vessel
- Vertical Application
- Competitors Self Aligning Ball Bearing failed regularly due to the application conditions
- NSK solution: Self Aligning Ball Bearing with SWR series Spherical Roller Bearing
- Bearing life extended by 3 to 4 times
Value Proposals
- NSK Engineers performed an Application Review together with a Failed Bearing Analysis
- A recommendation of NSK Spherical Roller Bearings with large load capacity was made
- A trial of NSK SWR series Spherical Roller Bearings resulted in 3 to 4 times longer bearing life
Product Features
- Improved material strength of outer ring.
- Ability to use with or without seals.
- Improved wear resistance – three times compared to AISI 52100 bearing steel.
- Minimized outer-ring friction to extend flaking life.
- Improved flaking life property – five times compared to AISI 52100 bearing steel.
- Material strength improved to prevent breakage of the outer ring after the occurrence of flaking - five times compared to AISI 52100 bearing steel.
- SWR can replace standard SRB without modifying the axle boxes.
Cost Saving Breakdown
| Before | Cost p.a. | NSK Solution | Cost p.a. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing Costs: Bearing costs on 4 vessels | $16,281 | Bearing Costs: Bearing costs on 4 vessels | $15,594 | |
| Engineering Costs: Labor costs 50/hr x 13hr x 4 vessels | $53,065 | Engineering Costs: Labor costs 50/hr x 22 Units x 8hr x 4 vessels | $53,065 | |
| Costs of lost production: Downtime costs: 50/hr x 13hr x 4 vessels | $7,839 | Costs of lost production: Downtime cost: none | $0 | |
| Engineering Costs: Bearing Replacement x 4 vessels | $48,847 | Engineering Costs: Bearing Replacement: none | $0 | |
| Total Costs | $126,032 | $68,659 | ||
Reference:SS-E-2066
Share