Platform for the food and beverage industry
These units release their lubricant gradually over a long period of time. Thanks to the switch to this type of linear system in the dough cutting machines, a large bakery realized savings of more than 200,000 € per year in maintenance and downtime costs.
The linear guides were integrated into the band saws that cut dough in the bakery, but failed on average every three weeks. Despite being coated with an Armoloy finish - and using food-grade grease - the desired performance criteria could not be met.
To solve the problems, the bakery was looking for a linear guide that would not only ensure long life, but would also be able to achieve higher speeds. In fact, the company planned to scale up dough cutter productivity from 250 to more than 300 cycles per minute.
As part of the Added Value Program (AIP), NSK experts conducted an on-site analysis of the application's operating conditions, plus an examination of the broken guides that had failed. Upon completion, the team recommended switching to NH/NS stainless steel linear guides, in conjunction with a K1 food-grade lubrication system. After an initial trial was successfully completed, the bakery switched to this proven solution in all of its dough cutting machines.
Designed to perform precise linear motion (even at high speeds), the NH/NS range features stainless steel versions specifically for food and beverage production. Longevity is not compromised, even when the guides are subjected to frequent and intensive cleaning cycles.
NSK's K1 lubrication units offer a clean and FDA-approved solution in every respect. The lubricant is contained in a carrier that releases lubrication only by mouthfuls, thus ensuring supply over a long period of time. The precise sealing prevents contamination of the tread and also releases much less lubricant into the environment than conventional solutions.
The feedback from the bakery speaks for itself. Since the transition to the NH/NS range, the company only has to perform maintenance routines after 32 weeks. This is in stark contrast to replacing the old linear guide every 3 weeks. The switch provides more than a tenfold increase in service life. The resulting annual savings account for 206,000 €, this thanks to fewer replacements, less maintenance emergencies and machine downtime.
To further boost improved operation, NSK recently installed the K1-L lubrication unit. The K1-L houses a new polyolefin-based carrier material that provides a much greater reserve of lubricant, leading to an average service life double that of the K1 series. Because the unit is fully compatible with linear conductors from the NH/NS range, the K1-L acts as a one-to-one replacement for existing K1 units.
