NSK bearings provide economical sheet rolling

Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha (NSK), which specializes in roller bearings and automotive products, said its bearings have helped a major steel plate manufacturer achieve € 46,000 ($ 50,819) savings. Recently, this plate mill does not require scheduled maintenance to ensure lubrication, it said in a statement. NSK analysis has shown that the installation of Sealed-Clean bearings, specially designed for use in highly contaminated environments, extended life 2.7 times longer than conventional bearings.

Bearings used in rolling mills operate under extreme operating conditions, including high temperature fluctuations, variations in rotational speed and heavy loads. In addition, they must resist moisture, corrosive impurities and harmful particles. Therefore, precious time was wasted in the lubrication process of bearings prior to the introduction of NSK's product - bearings with increased seal protection and improved material technology. They are made from the patented Super-TF bearing steel.

This innovation is the result of NSK research under the Value Added Program. NSK engineers have begun to address the problem of limiting bearing life under contaminated or inadequate lubrication conditions. These are the two main reasons for premature bearing wear in rolling mills. Studies have shown that bearing life under these conditions can be improved by modifying the microstructure of the bearing steel, thereby increasing the ability to reduce stress concentration at the edges of the recesses.

The specific microstructure of the steel is able to provide a longer service life, even where there is not a sufficient oil film to protect the surfaces from damage. This was achieved thanks to Super-TF steel, according to the statement. The main feature of NSK's latest sealed bearing design is the change in the bearing seal space, which allows the roller to last longer.