Displaying items by tag: NSK

A new training module for pulp and paper applications is now available at the increasingly popular NSK academy online platform. Focussing on the dryer section of papermaking machinery, this informative and engaging course will benefit all those who specify or work with bearings for this demanding application. Participants achieving an 80% pass mark will receive a certificate.

The dryer section of papermaking machines is a harsh operating environment for bearings. High temperatures, moisture (steam) and potential contamination can bring entire systems to a halt in the event of premature bearing failure. As a result, optimal bearing specification and maintenance can make a genuine difference to bottom line profitability through the elimination of unplanned production stoppages and improved service life.

Knowledge is key, which is where the new NSK academy training module for dryer section bearing technology can help.

The new training module for bearings used in the dryer section of papermaking machinery is available now at www.nskacademy.com

This comprehensive learning material begins by explaining the various areas of the dryer section that require bearings, including the canvas roll, paper roll, breaker stack bottom roll, drying cylinder, Yankee dryer and PV roll. The module also sets out the function of each area, its typical operating conditions and the bearing attributes required to provide high performance. In addition, the course identifies a number of potential challenges and offers information about the bearing types best-placed to overcome these issues.

Importantly, training module participants will learn about bearing failure modes typical to the dryer section of papermaking machinery, such as inner ring creep, inner ring fracture and flaking. The course reveals what causes these problems and the best countermeasures to take.

Ultimately, the latest NSK training module provides an understanding of the fundamental bearing principles in relation to dryer sections, where very high temperatures, high speeds and heavy loads can cause significant problems for poorly specified or maintained bearings. Anyone working in the papermaking industry will benefit from the course, including those in sales, technical support, R&D, maintenance and engineering.

The module is available now at www.nskacademy.com (a quick and easy registration process is required for new users).

About NSK Europe
NSK Europe Ltd. is the European organisation of the Tokyo-based bearing manufacturer NSK, which was founded in Japan in 1916 and today employs nearly 30,400 people in its worldwide operations. The products and solutions provided by the industrial and automotive supplier can be found wherever things move. In addition to nearly all types of rolling bearings, the company’s portfolio includes housed bearings, linear technology, wheel bearing units, transmission and engine bearings and steering systems. The company is oriented to perfection in all of its business activities. Its aim is quality leadership in its industry, which it strives for through a continuous process of improvement, excellent product development, optimised production processes and customer-oriented service processes. In fiscal year 2020, the more than 4,350 employees of NSK Europe Ltd. generated sales of over € 792 million.
www.nskeurope.com

NSK spherical roller bearings with TL technology are being increasingly adopted in the papermaking industry as more machinery manufacturers and paper mills seek to maximise operating life and uptime. The unique attributes of NSK´s TL (tough and long life) specification is proven to provide greater resistance to hoop stress, subsequently reducing inner ring fractures and delivering service life more than twice that of conventional bearings with standard heat treatment. TL series spherical roller bearings are specifically designed for sections of papermaking machinery where elevated temperatures prevail, including dryer rolls, calender rolls, canvas rolls and PV rolls. The bearings were developed as a solution to a specific problem: inner ring fractures. This problem is common on dryer cylinders (including Yankee dryer rolls) and calender rolls, where steam is passed through the hollow axis of the roll to heat it. Here, the journal expands faster than the bearing, making the fit tighter. As the hoop stress (force exerted circumferentially) of the inner ring increases, cracks can begin to appear.

High temperatures in papermaking machinery also present further challenges to bearings. For instance, the presence of heat lowers the viscosity of lubricant, reducing bearing life, while unwanted creep can have a negative impact on dimensional stability.

Although adopting a slow start-up procedure can prevent such problems - by introducing temperature gradually - it can take several hours and paper mills cannot afford the lost production and revenue. Instead, the solution lies in astute bearing selection.

Many sections of papermaking machinery are subject to high temperatures which present specific challenges to bearings. Photo: Moreno Soppelsa/Shutterstock

To counter the effects of temperature, NSK analysed the mechanism of inner ring fracture and established a strength evaluation method that subsequently led to the development of the proprietary TL specification. The type of steel used in these bearings is case-carburised using a special method of heat treatment that attains both high raceway surface hardness and dimensional stability under high temperatures. Importantly, the strength of the inner ring is increased sufficiently to better resist hoop stress, even at temperatures up to 200°C.

The resistance of inner rings that meet the TL specification is higher than the resistance of inner rings made from bainitic steel or bearing steel, while the surface hardness of the rolling surface is greater than the hardness of rolling surfaces made from bainitic steel or case-hardened steel. These factors underpin the ability of TL bearings to provide longer service life when used on calenders, guide rolls and smoothing rolls, for example.

A case in point involves a major paper mill that was experiencing problems with its calender rolls, where multiple cracks were developing on the inner rings of the roll bearings. Frustrated by up to 12 failures annually, which led to excessive downtime and maintenance, the mill invited NSK´s team of expert engineers to investigate and resolve the issue. As part of NSK´s Added Value Programme AIP, a comprehensive application review was commenced.

The NSK specialists soon discovered that the standard spherical bearings being used in the calender roll did not feature carburised inner rings, leaving them susceptible to the high heat of the application, and cracking of the inner rings. It was therefore recommended that the paper mill switch to NSK spherical roller bearings with TL technology. The innovative chemical steel composition and greater resistance to hoop stress and cracks, doubled operating life and reduced the cost of replacement bearings and downtime. Over a five-year period since the change was made, the paper mill has saved around €430,000.

NSK spherical roller bearings with TL technology have been in operation on dryer cylinders and other papermaking machinery rolls since 1994, with no problems reported. Today, over 100 different TL bearing sizes/types are produced, helping a wide range of customers achieve better and more cost-effective performance. In addition, to accommodate bearings for Yankee dryer rolls, NSK can offer large TL series self-aligning roller bearings with diameters up to 1,360 mm.

NSK Canada (NSK), one of the world's leading bearing manufacturers, announced today the launch of a new bilingual Canadian website at www.ca.nsk.com. The website is a cornerstone of NSK's commitment to providing world-class resources, information and service to customers across Canada.

The improved website was designed to make it even easier for customers to do business with NSK and achieve maximum uptime and cost savings. New features include an improved navigation structure, product catalogues, case studies, installation and user guides, technical tools, industry-specific newsletters with hands-on advice, fully indexed product information, an enhanced distributor locator, seminar/training information, and much more.

All knowledge-based content was developed by an expanded team of NSK engineers and technicians to provide a superior online customer experience. Designers can review technical drawings and specifications. Maintenance personnel can review guidelines for the proper care of machinery and components. Facility managers can receive guidance for selecting replacement products.

NSK's commitment to Canadian customers not only includes the revamped website, but also corporate investment in additional customer service resources. NSK has grown their team of engineers, technicians and support staff to ensure that customers receive the best one-on-one service and assistance possible, by phone, online or on site. Not only will NSK's Canadian customers "Think NSK" for high quality motion and control products, but for value-added service backed by experience, innovation, reliability and performance.

Visit www.ca.nsk.com to view and interact with the new website, or contact NSK for more information.

About NSK Canada

NSK Canada is a member of the NSK Ltd. Group of companies headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. As one of the world's leading bearing manufacturers, it produces and distributes over 100,000 different types of bearings, linear motion and automotive component products.

In Canada, NSK operates with strategically located distribution centres that supply both the original equipment and industrial distribution market. Its network of authorized distributors has the expertise, inventory and delivery systems to meet industry needs, working in partnership with NSK sales and engineering teams to ensure those needs are met with precision and speed. For more information, visit www.ca.nsk.com.

About NSK Limited

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, NSK Limited is a world-class producer and innovator of motion and control products. Established in 1916, NSK became a world leader in the industry because of an intense commitment to engineering research, modern manufacturing processes and superior quality.

Today, the company is one of the world's largest bearing manufacturers, employs over 23,000 people worldwide, has 60 global manufacturing facilities and 127 sales offices, operates 12 technology centres and produces and distributes over 100,000 different types of bearings, linear motion and automotive component products. For more information, visit www.nsk.com