Advances in plant machinery can be fairly slow moving: redesigning enormous bits of kit that remain functional isn’t going to be a priority for anybody. But greater degrees of innovation and risk-taking design can be found among the various smaller components that keep these big end systems operational. When parts such as chains and bearings can easily be swapped-out, their designers have more to play with than those tasked with delivering huge bits of kit such as conveyor systems, furnaces or robotic inspection systems.
Moving parts OEMs can also respond more easily and faster to specific industry trends – such as the move towards ever-smaller solutions that can be deployed in challenging spaces, or the embracing of new materials such as the rising popularity of composites. As such, moving parts is a market sector where there is a continual flurry of products and services being announced. Here, are a selection of some noteworthy stories from recent months that showcase such developments in these crucial components.
BEARING UP
NSK has long been a trusted name in all-things bearings and two recent innovations (from August and September 2024, respectively) illustrate the benefits being reaped by the firm’s continual investment into R&D.
The first advance is a bearing for servomotors that offers twice the low-particle-emission performance of conventional products. NSK says this development will contribute to the stable operation of vital industry machines such as robots.
To identify a potential way of overcoming the issue of particle emissions from bearings, NSK undertook research into the mechanism behind this long-standing industry problem. Alongside the implementation of a higher-precision evaluation and test machine with a configuration and environment similar to an actual servomotor, the company was able to design an entirely new bearing structure featuring advanced design elements.
Using its experience in tribology (controlling friction and wear via lubricants and material surfaces), NSK succeeded in developing a bearing with new grease and seal technology that offers twice the low-particle-emission performance of conventional products. The grease also provides double the conventional lifespan, while the rubber seal delivers lower torque.
The second advance from the components expert wasn’t on the product side; rather, it was a breakthrough in the area of load rating. In what NSK claims is a world first, it has introduced a new method of accurately predicting the lifespan of rolling bearings based on their size and the number of non-metallic inclusions in the steel the bearings are made from.
Giving some indication of what this advance means, from now on, NSK’s angular contact ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings will all see their lifespans increased, potentially even doubled, by this optimisation of basic dynamic load ratings.
CHAIN OF EVENTS
Precision engineered roller chain specialist, Tsubaki, has been directing its R&D efforts on developing longer-lasting, durable chain products. Recent advances here include new gripper chains for form, fill and vacuum seal wrapping applications, as well as specialist chains for long-life when lubrication cannot be applied, and corrosive environments.
Designed and manufactured for optimum durability and lifetime, Tsubaki provides roller chains to machine builders and users across industrial sectors including packaging lines, industrial packaging, labelling and bottling, as well as logistics and automation. Jake Yamamoto at Tsubakimoto Europe comments: “Processing and packaging machine users, in particular, need high throughput as well as minimal downtime – and our chains are designed for long-life, which both optimises productivity and lowers the total cost of ownership.”
Tsubaki recently showcased its gripper chain range for form, fill and vacuum seal operations. The company says the chain’s durable springs have been developed to last for more than 10 million high-speed cycles and the
M-type attachment’s side-swivel design – which can be combined with Tsubaki sprockets – enables highly smooth operation for optimal material feed-through. With recessed riveted pins for easy chain length adjustment, the gripper chain is also easy to install with
a spring clip fitting.
For many food packaging applications, the risk of contamination prevents roller chain lubrication, resulting in accelerated chain deterioration and productivity-stopping breakdowns. To resolve the issue, Tsubaki has developed its Lambda roller chain, impregnated with NSF-H1 food-grade lubrication to protect against friction. Special sintered bushes retain the lubricant, preventing contamination while prolonging chain life.
Another innovation from the engineering expert is the launch of the Neptune anti-corrosion roller chain. Suited to packaging lines that require hygienic operation and undergo regular washdowns with aggressive detergents, the Neptune chain includes a two-layer surface treatment that prevents rust. The company says that the chain is tested to 700 hours of saltwater spray and 2,000 hours of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide exposure, both of which are used in the food industry to clean and disinfect.
GET INTO GEAR
Reflecting the trend for ever-smaller components to enable greater flexibility in end applications, miniature motion expert Portescap recently developed a compact spur gearing solution for enhanced infusion pump design. The company describes the B16C gearbox as an innovative spur gearing solution tailored for engineers aiming to optimise their infusion pumps without sacrificing performance or reliability. Its compact design reduces the overall length by 3-4mm compared with similar motor/gearbox composites, which Portescap says makes it an ideal choice for space-constrained applications. When paired with the high-performance 16DCT Athlonix motor, the B16C delivers up to 100mNm of continuous torque output, ensuring robust and reliable operation.
According to Portescap, the B16C gearbox excels in applications where space and weight are critical, such as ambulatory infusion pumps. Its compact form factor allows for a smaller overall pump size or the incorporation of additional design features. The integrated design reduces the number of internal components, resulting in fewer points of contact and lower output noise.
ADVANCED ACTUATORS
New actuators regularly hit the market, but linear motion specialist Tolomatic has been focusing its efforts on improving some of its existing solutions. As well as making additions to its product family, the company recently enhanced its RSX high force electric linear actuator range.
The expanded RSX range includes five new sizes, capable of producing forces up to 294kN. To reflect this update, the model numbers have been changed to denote the thrust each actuator offers, with the RSX096 now being named RSX15 and the RSX128 now called RSX25.
Tolomatic says that the RSX actuators are designed to replace traditional hydraulic systems, eliminating the risk of leaks and improving system performance. Their advanced design and construction make them suitable for a range of applications, from general industrial use to specific sectors such as food processing, where cleanliness and precision are paramount.
Known for their long life and rugged performance in demanding conditions, the actuators are built to withstand harsh environments. Special versions are available for extreme cold or marine applications. This durability is achieved thanks to Tolomatic’s high-precision planetary roller screws, which ensure long-lasting and precise operation.
BRAKING NEWS
OEMs in the crane and winch markets can now benefit from the modular Stromag electromagnetic, spring-applied HPB motor brake. The company says this solution aims to set new standards for dynamic performance, compactness and flexibility in all applications.
Offered in eight different sizes with three different friction linings, smart design allows each HPB variant to be offered in either two or four-face configurations without a large variance in brake size. As a result, a multitude of torque values can be generated from 80Nm up to 6,400Nm using the same basic architecture, making the brake highly suitable for use in marine, agricultural, construction, and machinery applications.
To exceed modern application standards and deliver a high safety margin, Stromag says the development focus for the HPB focused on dynamic braking performance rather than simply end holding torque. Consequently, the HPB offers exceptional response times, heat dissipation and time to stop across a wide speed range. Ideal for working, holding and sudden stops, every HPB produced gets a run-in procedure followed by static torque test by Stromag in-house before delivery to provide quality assurance and ensure optimal operation at different speeds. Dynamic testing is also possible as an option.