Bearings deliver major savings at snack food plant
November 2023
Motion Control & Drives
Production uptime is vital in process industries such as food and beverage. Many companies in this sector operate a business model based on high volume throughput and narrow profit margins in order to remain competitive in a fierce marketplace. Any line stoppages can therefore have a highly detrimental effect on the bottom line.
A case in point is a producer of snack foods that began experiencing frequent bearing failures on its process-critical cutter lines. To resolve the situation as quickly as possible, the plant turned to the expertise of NSK. As part of NSK’s Added Value Programme, AIP, a process map survey was conducted on site. This involved an investigation into the failed bearings by NSK’s experienced engineering team. This identified the problem as grease expulsion to line washdown procedures. The issue was prompting bearing replacement every six weeks during routine planned maintenance to help prevent unplanned stoppages. However, failures sometimes occurred before scheduled maintenance, resulting in the loss of valuable production time, the cost of which ran into six figures a year.
NSK proposed replacing the incumbent bearings with the company’s Life-Lube housed bearing units. The Life-Lube series combines the corrosion-resistant properties of NSK’s Silver-Lube thermoplastic (paint-free) housings with the excellent sealing and lubricating properties of the company’s Molded-Oil inserts, which feature solid lubricant. This proprietary material consists of lubricant and a polyolefin resin with an affinity for oil. Grease is released steadily and continuously over a long period. The operating environment stays clean, as there is no need for replenishment and no lubricant can escape.
Life-Lube units are specifically for use in applications where contact with water and process fluids is unavoidable, and where long lubricant life is necessary. NSK therefore identified Life-Lube as the optimal solution for the snack food plant and its detergent-based washdown procedures. NSK proposed a trial of Life-Lube housed bearing units on one of three cutter lines at the plant, the monitoring of which would determine suitability. After one year, the bearings were still performing well with no failures, eliminating production downtime entirely. In addition to substantially lower costs for parts and maintenance labour, the plant is seeing impressive annual savings of €134 478.
Further reading:
World’s largest production capacity mine hoist
Motion Control & Drives
BB has been selected by global mining company BHP to deliver, install and commission three friction hoists and a further electrical system for a Blair service hoist to its Jansen Potash project in Canada.
Read more...
Innomotics showcases efficient motors and drives at Hannover Messe
Motion Control & Drives
Innomotics recently presented its innovations and solutions for a sustainable industry at Hannover Messe 2025. Highlights included a novel Active Vibration Control System, IE6 energy efficiency class motors, and new product partnerships.
Read more...
New torque sensors for fastening applications
Spero Sensors & Instrumentation
Motion Control & Drives
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.
Read more...
Versatile variable speed drive for efficient motor control
iTek Drives
Motion Control & Drives
The Invertek Optidrive is a versatile variable speed drive designed for efficient motor control in various applications.
Read more...
Servo motor for demanding and dynamic applications
Festo South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
The EMMT-AS servo motor is ideal for demanding and dynamic applications, and is known for its excellent controllability and path accuracy for precise positioning tasks.
Read more...
The future of motion control
SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
MOVI-C from SEW-EURODRIVE is a cutting-edge modular automation system integrating controllers, drives and software for seamless motion control.
Read more...
Affordable robotics and automation
igus
Motion Control & Drives
Visitors should prioritise a visit to the igus South Africa stand, where some exciting and affordable innovations in robotics and automation will be on display.
Read more...
Hazardous area solutions
Extech Safety Systems
Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE is revolutionising industrial automation with advanced gear units, decentralised drives and the energy-efficient MOVIGEAR system.
Read more...
Advancing industrial automation with cutting-edge drive technology
SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE is revolutionising industrial automation with advanced gear units, decentralised drives and the energy-efficient MOVIGEAR system.
Read more...
Actuator with integral controller
SMC Corporation South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
The new EQ series of slide-type and rod-type electric actuators from SMC feature a fully integrated controller, providing a simpler to set up, easier to use, space-saving solution that simultaneously helps users to save energy and reduce CO
2 emissions.
Read more...