NSK Silver-Lube ® bearings withstand wash-down fluids on bottling line conveyor
In operations where contact with process fluid is unavoidable , poorly specified bearings that fail prematurely can prove costly in maintenance labour and production downtime . For this reason , increasing numbers of food and beverage plants are turning to the beneficial attributes of NSK ’ s Silver-Lube ® bearing units . Silver- Lube ® provides optimal protection against the ingress of wash-down water and detergent while simultaneously ensuring corrosion resistance .
Among those testifying to the advantages of Silver-Lube ® is a market-leading milk processing and bottling plant . The facility was experiencing repeated bearing failures on five conveyor lines , where the company was changing bearings approximately every 16 weeks . With every replacement taking approximately one hour to complete , the plant invited NSK ’ s team of experts to recommend a solution .
As part of its AIP Added Value Programme , NSK ’ s specialist engineers analysed the failed bearings , concluding that the ingress of water during the wash-down process was causing internal corrosion and premature failures . Further review of the application and operating conditions led the NSK team to recommend its proven Silver-Lube ® housed bearing units .
The plant commenced a trial of Silver-Lube ® bearings featuring foodgrade grease on one of its bottling line conveyors , a solution that resulted in an immediate improvement and significant lifetime extension .
Silver-Lube ® features durable and heat-resistant silicon rubber seals that protect against fluid penetration and prevent washout of the lubricating grease . Complementing the seal is a
stainless steel flinger , which prevents the ingress of bacteria and helps the seal to resist impact damage . Silver-Lube ® bearings also comprise numerous corrosion-resistant components , including inserts with high-grade stainless steel rings and balls , cage , flingers , and set screws . Furthermore , the bearing insert sits within a high-strength PBT thermoplastic housing featuring a stainless steel grease nipple .
After the initial trial , the plant implemented Silver-Lube ® housed bearing units on all five of its milk bottle conveyor systems . The result : a reduction in machine downtime , maintenance labour and replacement bearings costs , leading to annual savings of € 7,625 . Indeed , no failures of Silver-Lube bearings occurred for more than five years .
Importantly , Silver-Lube ® bearings units can accommodate initial misalignment from mounting errors , making them ideal for bottling machines and conveyors used by the food and beverage industry . Additional attributes include : a paint-free resin housing to eliminate any risk of chipping or flaking ; a cavity-free design to avoid ‘ bug traps ’ that might harbour bacteria or mould ; a smooth finish to prevent dirt adhesion ; and suitability for working temperatures from -20 to + 90 ° C .
www . nskeurope . com
10