Mood, Industries, 1600x230

Introduction

A premium vegetable processing company was experiencing frequent bearing failure on a vegetable wash application causing significant downtime and reduced production. NSK carried out a bearing failure analysis revealing ingress of contamination leading to significant reduction in life time. NSK recommended NSK Life-Lube with Molded-Oil inserts. A trial was conducted demonstrating improved bearing life which reduced downtime, maintenance costs and increased productivity generating a significant cost saving to the customer.

Food - Beverage, carrot washer
  • Carrot wascher
RHP Life-Lube Molded-Oil, Bearing Unit, cut, 874x555
  • NSK Molded-Oil insert

Key Facts

  • High volume vegetable cleaning line
  • Frequent bearing failure causing significant production down time and high costs
  • Water and hard particle ingress
  • NSK Solution: Life-Lube with Molded-Oil inserts
  • Bearing life increased from 1 1/2 months to over 12 months
  • Productivity improvement
  • Cost saving generated

Value Proposals

  • NSK engineering conducted a Bearing Failure Analysis showing ingress of contamination into the bearing causing washout of lubricant from the bearing and subsequent failure
  • NSK engineering conducted a Process Mapping exercise of the application identifying problematic bearing areas
  • NSK engineering conducted an Application Analysis of the washer application and proposed NSK Life-Lube units with Molded-Oil inserts
  • A trial was agreed which resulted in an increase of bearing life from 1 1/2 months to over 12 months
  • The customer benefited from increased productivity and reduced maintenance costs

Product Features

  • PBT thermoplastic resin housing
  • Molded-Oil inserts (with solid lubricant)
  • Martensitic stainless steel
  • Nitrile rubber seals
  • Available in Pillow Block, 2 and 4 bolt flanges and take-up unit housings
  • Bore size 20mm - 40mm
  • Corrosion resistance
  • Paint free housings, preventing chipping & flaking
  • Resistant to contamination increasing operating life
  • Ideal for operations where fluid process is unavoidable
  • No need for re-lubrication
Cost Saving Breakdown
Before Cost p.a. NSK Solution Cost p.a.
Costs of lost production: Loss of production due to unplanned  stoppages €11.491 Costs of lost production: Continuous operation without failure. No down time costs in 12 months €0
Engineering Costs: Cost of maintenance: 2 persons €18/hr for 2 hrs x 9 stoppages per year €648 Engineering Costs: No breakdowns and no maintenance costs €0
Total Costs € 12 139 € 0

Reference:SS-E-2048