Servomotor bearing with low particle emissions
September 2024
Motion Control & Drives
NSK is introducing a high-performance bearing for servomotors that reduces the emission of particles such as grease and oil. This breakthrough will contribute to the stable operation of vital industry machines such as robots.
To find a way of overcoming the issue of particle emissions from bearings, NSK undertook research into the mechanism behind this longstanding industry problem. Alongside the implementation of a more precise evaluation and test machine with a configuration and environment similar to an actual servomotor, the company was able to design an entirely new bearing structure featuring advanced design elements.
Using its extensive experience in tribology, which controls friction and wear via lubricants and material surfaces, NSK developed a bearing with new grease and seal technology and half the particle emissions of conventional products. The grease also provides double the conventional lifespan, while the rubber seal delivers lower torque.
With many countries enduring a shrinking labour pool, the market for industrial robots continues to grow. However, robot users require high levels of reliability, and this depends on the robot’s components. A typical articulated arm robot, for example, might feature up to six servomotors to facilitate robot positioning and speed in its various axes. Each servomotor houses two bearings: a load-side bearing supporting the shaft where it exits the servomotor and a counter load-side bearing located between the brake disc and encoder disc.
In high-temperature environments such as servomotors, bearings tend to scatter tiny particles of grease and oil as they rotate. These emissions stick to the discs and cause issues such as encoder read errors and brake slippage. The need for low particle emission in bearings is clear in applications of this type, which is why NSK set about developing anti-scatter grease and seals that provide a high level of hermeticity.
The new NSK grease restrains evaporation in high-temperature environments such as servomotors and uses superior thermally resistant components to ensure low particle emissions and better resistance to seizing. NSK’s new rubber seal features a redesigned lip shape that again supports low particle emissions, while also facilitating 10% lower torque. Aside from servomotors, NSK’s new bearing is also suitable for other products that require low particle emissions, contributing to stable operation in a wide range of industrial machinery.
Further reading:
Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions
Festo South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.
Read more...
Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Motion Control & Drives
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.
Read more...
Filtration as a reliability driver in motion control systems
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
This article highlights the importance of filtration in motion control systems, how contamination affects performance, and what fleet managers, operators and maintenance teams in southern Africa can do to reduce downtime, avoidable wear and costly repairs, aided by Baldwin Filters.
Read more...
Supporting construction of next-gen floating offshore wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
While windy locations naturally make ideal spots for offshore wind farms, they bring challenges when it comes to assembling wind turbines, particularly in ports. Mammoet was approached by Euroports to support with the marshalling and assembly of the components that make up the three turbines at Port-la-Nouvelle in France.
Read more...
Rollers excel where profits balance on a knife edge
igus
Motion Control & Drives
Polymer component specialist manufacturer, igus has developed a range of lubrication-free long-life knife edge rollers designed to improve the transfer of products between conveyor belts in high-speed production environments.
Read more...
Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations
Siemens South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.
Read more...
Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
WEG Africa
Motion Control & Drives
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.
Read more...
Rising demand for advanced coolant technology
Motion Control & Drives
As modern engines become smaller, more powerful and increasingly complex, coolant technology has undergone a fundamental transformation.
Read more...
Addressing cost, supply and disease pressures in Africa’s feed industry
Motion Control & Drives
Feed producers across Africa are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile environment. The pressures are forcing producers to rethink how they operate, balancing cost control, production efficiency and the need for greater flexibility in an unpredictable market.
Read more...
Rapid headframe replacement for Canada’s biggest potash mine
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet has supported Ledcor with the construction of BHP’s new Jansen potash mine.
Read more...
printer friendly version