Services - 30/10/2024
NSK Eases the Grind
When it comes to manufacturing, efficiency is everything. NSK knows full well how catastrophic unplanned downtime can be, and that’s why we go above and beyond to help all of our customers operate as productively as possible. For instance, when one manufacturing plant experienced problems with its centreless grinding machine, NSK’s team of highly-trained engineers stepped in to help.
The machine itself was producing parts which were out of tolerance, which in turned led to large amounts of time being wated on unnecessary investigations and maintenance. The manufacturer desperately needed a reliable, high-performance solution which would enable them to maximise their productivity and therefore meet their production schedule whilst maintaining the highest quality standards.
NSK’s solution was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the company’s processes, the environment the machine was operating in and the bearings themselves. This is called a Condition Monitoring Service, it is carried out whilst the machine is still in a running condition and it is intended to help identify the root cause of any issues. This in turn will help to save time being wasted on unnecessary investigative maintenance and stripping down good components.
The tests indicated that there were no actual issues around the spindle bearings being used in the grinding machine. Our expert engineers therefore turned their focus to other areas, saving the two days which ordinarily might have been spent on stripping the spindle to search for a problem which didn’t exist.
Instead, the live CMS assessment allowed NSK to accurately predict the lifespan of the critical components inside the grinding machine, in turn letting the customer more precisely plan their maintenance procedures. Conducting this sort of Condition Monitoring also provides early warnings of potential, being the most sensitive and far-reaching method of detecting signs of machine wear. With NSK being able to supply a full range of critical bearing and linear motion parts, the customer also had peace of mind about the availability of spare parts.
Joerg Wagner, NSK Europe’s Sector Manager for Machine Tools, stresses that it is this willingness to work collaboratively that makes NSK the best partner for the sector. ‘We’re the only manufacturer to offer a complete development and supply service for the essential parts required for machine tools,’ he says. ‘And we’re second to none when it comes to the quality of our products.
‘However, our service is every bit as important when it comes to setting ourselves apart from the competition. We work closely with all our customers to help them operate in the most efficient and productive way possible. The needs of the machine tool sector are increasingly sophisticated, but our truly comprehensive service ensures that our partners can rest assured they will have optimal operation when it comes to their machinery.
In conclusion, the work with this particular manufacturer didn’t just demonstrate NSK’s ability to work collaboratively, but also saved the customer more than €32,000 per annum in lost production costs. In an industry where any unplanned downtime can have a huge impact, NSK is always willing to help find ways to improve efficiency.
Image Caption) An NSK engineer performing a CMS assessment
To find out more about NSK's products and services for the Machine Tools sector, CLICK HERE.
Share