Success Story
Industry: Food & Beverage
Application: Milk Processing Plant
Cost Savings: € 13 304
Introduction
The customer was experiencing regular bearing failure on their conveyor at a Milk Processing Plant. The bearings were in an inaccessible area and were difficult to lubricate. The customer had to change the bearings every 10 weeks, resulting in down-time of 3 hours at least twice a year. NSK reviewed the bearing application and suggested that Stainless steel bearing inserts fitted with Molded-Oil would give a better service life. They combined these with the additional benefits of Silver-Lube® polymer housings to provide the Life-Lube® combination. Trials showed that bearing life was extended from 10 weeks to over 1 year.
- Milk processing
- Life-Lube® housing with Molded-Oil bearing insert
Key Facts
- Milk processing plant
- Customer had to change the bearings every 10 weeks
- NSK solution: Life-Lube® Housings with Molded-Oil Bearing insert
- Reduced downtime
- Productivity improvement
- Cost saving and zero maintenance
Value Proposals
- NSK application review highlighted poor bearing life and difficult maintenance
- NSK recommended Molded-Oil inserts and Silver-Lube® plastic housings
- Increased corrosion resistance and Molded-Oil Lubrication resulted in over 12 months lifetime
- Additional benefit gained due to not having to replace shaft after bearing failure
- Technical support provided for fitting new Life-Lube® units
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 process fluid is unavoidable
- No need for re-lubrication
Cost Saving Breakdown
| Before | Cost p.a. | NSK Solution | Cost p.a. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing Costs: Old bearing design: | €140 | Bearing Costs: New bearing design: | €136 | |
| Engineering Costs: Labour: 2 fitters × 3 hours @ €25/h, 5 × year |
€750 | Engineering Costs: No maintenance | €0 | |
| Costs of lost production: Downtime: 3 hours @ €2.055, 2 × year | €12.330 | Costs of lost production: No downtime | €0 | |
| Engineering Costs: 2 x shafts replaced @ €110 each | €220 | Engineering Costs: No replacement shafts | €0 | |
| Total Costs | € 13 440 | € 136 | ||
Reference:SS-E-2006
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