Frequent equipment washdowns in food production are essential to achieving high standards of sterility. However, it is widely known that greased bearings and high-pressure washdowns have a problematic relationship – the constant cleaning washes away bearing lubrication and chemicals can be tough on the bearings themselves, causing early wear.

This was the case with an Australian fresh food producer who was experiencing premature bearing failure with conventional bearings. When a Motion Australia branch suggested they trial NSK Molded-Oil™ bearings to counteract the washout of lubricant, the problem was swiftly resolved – within a year they had already saved thousands of dollars.

“The stainless-steel UC bearings that they were using on one of their critical pieces of equipment – the Trim Line 2 Slicer outfeed belt – had a service life of three to four months,” explains Daniel Iselin, Technical Representative for Motion Australia, Wacol branch. “This was due to the bearings operating in a wet and abrasive environment.”

The Motion Australia team recommended NSK Molded-Oil™ UC206 bearings. These were installed and successfully lasted over a year without requiring replacement.

“In fact, the only reason the bearings were changed was due to an upgrade of a new conveyor belt which gave the maintenance team the opportunity to replace the bearings and inspect them for signs of wear,” says Daniel. “There were no signs of wear in the bearings, but they were changed regardless as the opportunity presented itself.”

Daniel contends the NSK Molded-Oil™ bearings would ordinarily last at least two years. Nonetheless, calculations at the site showed a cost savings of $3,100 from the 12-month period.

“A signed off cost saving was produced by Motion Australia and the customer acknowledged the vast increase in uptime, reduction in maintenance days and reduced cost of replacement bearings,” he adds. “Such was the success that the news spread fast and now NSK Molded-Oil™ bearings are used by this customer’s four production facilities around Australia in many different applications.”

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