Posted to News on 3rd Apr 2008, 00:00
Sweet maker reduces machine downtime with change in bearing inserts
NSK's ability to provide cost saving solutions to bearing problems across all types of industries was demonstrated recently by an application in the confectionery industry. NSK deployed its Asset Improvement Programme (AIP) on behalf of a manufacturer of sugar coated sweets. The result has been a savings on annual bearings and maintenance costs of £130,000 per annum, and the consequent benefits of improved reliability and increased productivity.
The nature of the bearing problem experienced by the confectionery manufacturer was water ingress into the bearings on a conveyor carrying sweets. This was causing crystallisation of sugar on the equipment, and subsequent costly machine breakdowns, resulting in lost production, which was costing the company over £254,000 per year.
The NSK engineers identified the sugar crystallisation problem and suggested a solution using NSK's 'Molded Oil' bearings. These units employ a special solid lubricant to transform the performance of machinery, in terms of reliability, maintenance free intervals and operation, in environments exposed to high humidity, corrosion and contamination.
