Bearing change delivers savings at plate rolling mill

Rolling bearings for iron and steel mills have to withstand varied and extreme operating conditions, amongst which are high temperature variations, both high and low rotational speeds, heavy loading as well as exposure to moisture, hard particulates and corrosive contaminants.

In this particular case, the maintenance team was re-lubricating the old bearings every day. NSK application engineers proposed a bearing design with increased sealing protection as well as improved bearing steel technology. Using the principles of the Added NSK Value Programme (AIP), the engineers were able to demonstrate the additional benefits of the Sealed-Clean range.

The four-row, sealed tapered roller bearings used on the roll necks of rolling mills are required to achieve long life amid severe environmental conditions such as high operating load, extreme shock loads and the presence of high pressure water and scale debris. NSK's seal technology is enabling a longer service life and improved reliability.

These advanced bearings are manufactured from NSK’s Super-TF bearing steel and are the product of research that addressed the problem of bearing life in conditions of contaminated or inadequate lubrication, which make up two of the major causes of premature bearing failure experienced in large equipment such as rolling mills.

With the introduction of the Sealed-Clean bearings, not only did the customer save more than €46,000 but it significantly reduced the environmental cost of the operation.