After a full assessment of the process line , Andy put together a report documenting the issues with the current setup , along with suggested improvements to increase uptime on the production line .
The first improvement that Andy was able to suggest was to upgrade the bearings to stainless steel . This would help to reduce failures caused by corrosion , extending the lifespan of the bearings by up to 75 %.
The sealing on the bearings could also be improved to guard against water and particle contamination . For this , Andy suggested several solutions and the possible outcomes for each . Presented with this data , the customer was able to clearly see the benefits of changing to an improved solution , eventually choosing NSK ’ s deep groove ball bearings , fitted with a DDU sealing solution . Upgrading to these contact sealed bearings could increase the bearing lifespan by up to 50 %.
The life expectancy of the bearings could be further increased by opting to add Nilos
rings to the bearings . These rings would help to deflect the initial washdown and the majority of particle contaminants , with the DDU seal acting as a second-line defence .
Andy estimated that making the suggested changes had the potential to increase the bearings ’ service life by over 300 %, extending the lifespan from just 10 weeks to up to 34 weeks . By providing a detailed report to the customer , Andy was able to demonstrate Total Cost of Ownership ( TCO ). The savings in maintenance and repair , along with the reduction in downtime and loss of production would more than negate the cost of upgrading the bearings .
The ACORN : EXTRA service prioritises Total Cost of Ownership , working hand-in-hand with businesses to solve their application challenges . This unique service is available to all businesses across every industry , from food and beverage to processing and packaging . Businesses are able to gain insider access to some of the industry ’ s leading experts . These experts will work to understand the unique challenges of the business , and then work closely with site staff to identify the right solutions .
From production line mapping and application reviews to failure analysis and product training , the ACORN : EXTRA service will appeal to every business .
For more information , contact Andy Fletcher , Bearing & Maintenance Product Manager , Acorn Industrial Services Ltd . enquiries @ acorn-ind . co . uk . Visit : www . acorn-ind . co . uk / nsk
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