10/04/2008 - Rolling Bearings Key To Energy Conservation Through Improved Machine Life
 Rolling bearings are indispensable to machinery and equipment; their function is crucial in the role of transferring rotational energy with minimal energy loss: i.e. energy conservation. At the same time bearings can play a major role in the preservation of natural resources by providing enhanced operating life, and also through downsizing as a result of the combination of improved materials and optimised designs.
The life of rolling bearings is usually determined by the severity of "flaking," a fatigue phenomenon where a part of the bearing surface peels off in small flakes as a result of repeated stress loads. Rolling bearing life can be determined by researching the causes of flaking and taking preventive measures accordingly. Flaking is a result of two types of bearing defects: internal defects (non-metallic inclusions in bearing material) and bearing raceway surface defects (dents caused by foreign particles in the bearing lubricant). Flaking caused by internal defects can be improved with extra-pure and cleaner steels, such as the Z steel and EP steels developed by NSK. These reduce non-metallic inclusions that cause defects, thus extending bearing life.
Flaking caused by raceway surface defects can be improved by optimising the retained austenite content in bearing raceway surfaces, as is the case with NSK's TF, HTF RTF, and STF steels. This results in reduced stress concentration from dents and, once again, improved life. The corollary of this is less demand on the environment, in terms of raw material usage and preservation of natural resources.
Like new materials technology, surface optimisation plays a key role in reducing demands on the environment through extended bearing life. However, surface optimisation goes further by reducing the energy-consuming friction that ultimately leads to wear and, possibly, premature failure. For a surface design to ensure reduced friction and longer bearing life, machining processes (barrelling and honing) as well as surface roughness play important roles.
A good surface geometry leads to optimum oil film formation, while the machining processes ensure good compressive stress levels and high resistance to abrasion and excessive wear.
Complementing the role of surface optimisation, improved bearing design contributes greatly to energy conservation. Reducing the frictional resistance of rolling bearings is an endless challenge. However, as part of its commitment to achieving this goal in automotive applications, NSK has developed a theory for frictional resistance for tapered roller bearings that run in rolling and sliding contact at their ribs and roller ends. This theory has been used to reduce frictional torque by as much as 40% in automotive power transmissions, without adversely affecting bearing life and rigidity.
Low torque designs that reduce friction have also been developed for more widely used ball bearings. These designs, which are complemented by new low torque contact seals and greases, are reducing torque by up to 50% in electric motors, a critical area of power consumption, accounting for 2/3 of all industrial usage.
Low torque ball bearings have also been developed to improve the efficiency of motors used in domestic appliances, such as air conditioners and vacuum cleaners, in order to reduce their power consumption. These types of bearings have the same outside diameters and width as the global standard 608 ball bearings, but have improved internal specifications, including ball diameter and PCD. Although the dynamic load of the new bearings is lower, this is not a problem as low torque is the main consideration. That this is achieved is evidenced by the fact that torque for these bearings is 40 to 50% lower than that of conventional bearings.
Achieving low torque in bearings is also about lubrication, and in particular greases. NSK's experience with the automotive industry, which has had a historic requirement for low torque bearings to ensure efficient cold starts, has proved pivotal in this area. Originally developed for use on commutator motor shafts, NSK's EA3 grease is a poly-alpha-olefine type, which is superior in low-torque to maximise energy efficiency in the operation of rolling bearings.
In addition to developing special low torque greases, NSK has considered the problems of using grease lubrication per se. Grease is used widely for the lubrication of rolling bearings and ballscrews, and it can contaminate the soil, rivers, or sea if it leaks or is disposed of improperly. This could inflict considerable harm on the natural environment.
NSK has addressed this problem with its EXCELLA GREENTM grease, which is readily decomposed by bacteria, and contains no harmful substances. Excella GREEN is a long-life grease developed, for bearings in small- to medium-sized general purpose motors, air conditioner fan motors, and IT devices. It is 60% or more degradable than conventional greases, as determined by a 28-day biological oxygen demand test in bacteria activated sludge, which is an effect evaluation index for an ecosystem.
Grease, of course is retained within bearings by seals and shields, and these units also play a role in energy conservation: a seal or shield that is too tight a fit will lead to friction in a bearing and consequent energy loss. The challenge in the bearing market has been to develop high- speed seals, which minimise bearing friction.
This has led to the development of NSK's V type seal. The V seal is a design innovation that seals effectively without an increase in torque or operating temperature. It has better sealing capability than a shield, and a speed capability comparable to that of a shielded bearing. The non-contact lip of the V design reduces drag in the bearing - an important advantage where power loss is critical, as in small electrical motors.
For further information on this product, please contact your local ERIKS service centre on 0845 006 6000 click here to find your local service centre.
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08/04/2008 - WEG Soft Start use Digital Signal Processors, without Shocks
 WEGs new SSW-07 soft-starters are equipped with digital signal processors (DSP), enabling them to provide exceptional performance for both starting and stopping of AC induction motors. The SSW-07 units overcome the sudden current inrush and high torque problems, which can result in wear and damage to mechanical power transmission equipment, and even to pipe work in pumping applications.
Easy to set-up and incorporating all motor protection functions, the SSW-07 soft starters provide an extremely simple, low cost and compact solution to the problem of starting AC motors smoothly and efficiently without “snatch”. Designed with fully digital architectures, the SSW-07 soft starters employ the latest Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) to accurately control the ramp voltage supplied to a motor over an optimum time period as set by the user. This reduces stress on transmission devices, such as gearboxes, shafts and couplings, during motor start-up and helps to increase the life of both motor and mechanical parts as mechanical shocks are avoided.
The SSW-07 soft starters also provide high levels of system safeguarding in controlled stopping applications (ramp down), especially where heavy dynamic loads are encountered. In pumping applications, for example, an extended ramp down time can prevent damage to pipework systems, resulting from the adverse effects of water hammer.
In addition to offering optimised operational performance, the SSW-07 soft starters are highly cost competitive. They are designed with a by-pass function (on models 17A to 30A) that saves the user the cost of purchasing a separate contactor. The by-pass function also reduces installation costs, cabling and, by reducing the installation envelope of the soft starter, enclosure size.
The integrated by-pass feature is complemented by many others in the overall SSW-07 package, including: a kick-start function for heavy loads, and loads requiring high starting torque; a pump control function which avoids water hammer; integral electronic motor protection; electronic voltage monitoring; an electronic thermal relay; and electronic voltage monitoring.
The SSW-07 soft starters are designed to operate in environments up to 55ºC without current reduction. They are suitable for universal voltages in the range 220v to 575v, and offer simple setting, installation and low maintenance for the user.
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27/03/2008 - Sound Pressure Meter is Hand held
 A handheld sound pressure meter simplifies the recording of industrial sound levels to protect the health and safety of employees and minimise costs that arising from any illness or legal action
SKF has developed a handheld sound pressure meter to simplify the recording of industrial sound levels, protecting the health and safety of employees and minimising the costs that arise from illness and legal action. The portable TMSP 1 device can be carried around to carry out checks quickly and simply, minimising time and costs, said SKF.
The ergonomic instrument uses an electret condenser microphone to pick up environmental noise of between 30 to 130dB and then produces a sound reading in decibels on the handset.
The device is extremely simple to use, said SKF to manufacturingtalk, featuring a backlit display for improved visibility in poorly lit environments and displaying results either digitally or as a bar graph for quick analysis.
The TMSP 1 can be used with no special training, once again, reducing the cost of health and safety processes.
The SKF sound pressure meter is able to offer dBA and dBC scale weightings for either general sound level measurements or low frequency noise recordings.
Fast or slow time weightings can be selected, making it possible to take an average measurement where noise levels are fluctuating.
The device can withstand a wide range of operating temperatures, making it suitable for hostile industrial applications.
Able to take accurate readings at +/-1.5dB, the TMSP 1 can record noise levels either quantitatively or qualitatively depending on user requirements.
To simplify the taking of measurements over a prolonged period, the device can be mounted on a tripod and an alarm set to sound when the noise level exceeds minimum or maximum acceptable levels.
The robust instrument has a typical battery life of over 50h, with an automatic power-off option to conserve energy, enabling multiple readings to be taken over extended timescales without charging.
The TMSP 1 is supplied in a carrying case with a range of accessories, including a windshield, to ensure accurate readings in wind speeds over 10m/s, a calibration screwdriver, a jack for external outputs and an alkaline battery.
The device is fully compliant with IEC651 type 2 and ANSI S1.4 type 2 regulations for sound level meters.
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12/03/2008 - Split Roller Bearings Save Thousands in Downtime Costs
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07/03/2008 - Rigid Stator Mount employs Ring of Steel
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28/02/2008 - Internal Gear Pump featuring significant power increase
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20/02/2008 - Innovative Sensor Mount Introduced by Rencol
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13/02/2008 - Simalube Multipoint launched by Simatec
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02/01/2008 - Leak Detection Sprays ROCOL sets the standard
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05/11/2007 - Paint Marker Pens (DYKEM range) - Launched by ROCOL
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17/10/2007 - Rexroth´s new generation of Rodless Cylinders
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05/07/2007 - EVB Series Bearings from WYKO Ideal for Tough Conditions
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08/05/2007 - Sound Insulation Foam - Paulstra Strasonic - New From WYKO
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30/04/2007 - PTFE Based Rotary Shaft Seals
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05/04/2007 - Energy Efficient Motors - High Levels of Energy Savings in Hazardous Environments from WEG
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02/04/2007 - Petrochemical Bearings NSK Meet Demands
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27/02/2007 - THK Super Roller Guide Range Expanded
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27/11/2006 - Service Exchange Programme Returns Fenner® SMSR gearboxes to Original Spec
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25/08/2006 - New Heat & Seizure Resisant Super Precision Bearings
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25/08/2006 - New PTFE Shaft Seals From Pioneer Weston
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25/08/2006 - Heavy Duty Linear Actuator from Hoerbiger-Origa
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02/05/2006 - New Hand Pressurised Precision Pump Available through WYKO
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01/05/2006 - New ‘Ultra-Clean’ Bearing Steels from NSK Offer Reliability Improvements
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01/05/2006 - New THK Linear Actuator Replaces Pneumatics
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01/05/2006 - Busch Pumps Launch New Samos Range
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05/01/2006 - Norgren 33D Series of Pressure Switches Available from WYKO
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24/10/2005 - THK Launch Worlds Smallest (LM) Linear Motion Guides
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27/04/2005 - New Corrosion Proof Solutions From Rexroth
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03/03/2005 - New Single-Point Lubricators from Timken
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26/01/2005 - New DiNova Rings from Legris
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24/01/2005 - Super Wear-Resistant (SWRTM) Bearings from NSK
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20/01/2005 - Syno II Maintenance Free Chains from Renold
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04/01/2005 - New Automatic Lubricator From Tsubaki
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13/12/2004 - Uni-chains Takes Care of the Heavy Loads
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07/12/2004 - Latest THK Caged Roller Technology
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23/11/2004 - SKF Improves Belt Alignment Tool
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15/11/2004 - New Range of Rotary Shaft Seals from Pioneer Weston
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04/03/2004 - Unique Food-Grade Corrosion Protection From Rocol
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26/02/2004 - Timken Power Rating Series
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17/02/2004 - New High Capacity Bearings From NSK
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12/01/2004 - New Plus Alpha Chain from Tsubaki
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18/12/2003 - Compact Guided Cylinders From Festo
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05/09/2003 - SKF PANLOC provides easy mounting for non-locating bearings
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02/09/2003 - Sumitomo "Food Safe" Geared Drives
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03/06/2003 - New Tri-Logic Metalworking Fluid System
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22/05/2003 - Unique Sealing Design for Angular Contact Bearings
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07/05/2003 - New Miniature Pneumatic Cylinders from Norgren
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16/04/2003 - New Stainless Steel Chain is Lube Free
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04/04/2003 - NSF Registered Maintenance Products for Food Industry
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07/03/2003 - Grinding Fluid Range
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31/01/2003 - DynaSpin™ Auto-balancing Technology
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16/01/2003 - Quattro Plus CRE Wedge Belt
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14/01/2003 - SKF Explorer Series Gives Angular Contact Ball Bearings Longer Lifespans
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07/01/2003 - Powerful Motion Controller Makes Servo Programming Simple
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28/11/2002 - Continuously Wipes Rollers
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16/10/2002 - Fit and Forget
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18/09/2002 - Superior Efficiency in Conveying Operations
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03/09/2002 - New General Purpose Industrial Thermometer
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31/07/2002 - The Amazing Value of A Simple Seal
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05/07/2002 - HT Series Chains Take The Shock
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26/06/2002 - A New Concept in AC Drive Technology
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21/06/2002 - Extreme Performance from Rocol
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20/06/2002 - Poppet Regulators Cope With Pressure
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13/06/2002 - The Worlds Toughest Adhesives Just Got Tougher
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23/05/2002 - New Rotary Range from Festo
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17/05/2002 - Unique Energy Saving Bearing Roller Chain
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26/04/2002 - Fast Switching Valves Open Up New Applications
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23/04/2002 - Double Row Additions to Ball-Screw Support Bearings
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20/03/2002 - Monitoring Systems Predict Failure
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08/03/2002 - Flipping Cylinders
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22/01/2002 - VLT 8000 Aqua Series for Water & Waste Water Applications
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21/01/2002 - Efficient Chains Optimise Energy Use
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11/01/2002 - Loctite 55 - Pipe Sealing Cord
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11/01/2002 - New Extra-Capacity KVS Type Bearing
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10/01/2002 - Total Solution For Shaft Misalignment
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06/09/2001 - New Anti-Spark Push-In Fittings
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06/09/2001 - New Series 570 Spool Valves
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05/09/2001 - Tolerant Fixing for Ceramic Shafting
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29/08/2001 - New Generation of Polymer Block Chains
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29/08/2001 - Pneumatics in Proportion
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29/08/2001 - TufGear Universal
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29/08/2001 - Precision Cylinders Won´t Turn
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29/08/2001 - Hot New Laser Probe
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12/07/2001 - Lube-Free, Ultra Long Life Lambda Chain
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04/07/2001 - Topline - The New Range of Bearings For Extreme Applications
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04/07/2001 - New Generation Transmission Chain
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04/07/2001 - The Perfect Fit
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14/06/2001 - Quick & Clean Wipes
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03/05/2001 - Environmentally Friendly DP Chain
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28/02/2001 - Expanded Stocks of Hydraulic Seals
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28/02/2001 - Split Bearings Keep Out Severe Weather
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28/02/2001 - Do Your Worst!
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24/01/2001 - New WrapFlex Coupling From Falk
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02/11/2000 - New Range of Plastic Bearings
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02/11/2000 - Wyko Seals Major Deal With John Crane
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02/11/2000 - Revolutionary Explorer Bearing from SKF
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