Research and Development
Corporate R&D Organization
NSK has already established regional R&D sites in many parts of the world, and works to develop new technologies and new products. The Fujisawa Research and Development Center in Kanagawa Prefecture plays a central role in our R&D activities. Here, NSK develops new products related to bearings, automotive components, and precision machinery and parts, and also conducts research into basic technologies used in all products. NSK cooperates with its technology centers in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In addition, the corporate R&D organization provides technical support for the NSK Group’s business activities.
R&D Accomplishments
Bearings, which have been NSK’s mainstay products since its foundation, are used in a broad range of machines and play an important role. Always attentive to the needs of the times, NSK develops the kinds of bearings that enable the advancement of machinery. In this way, we have brought greater comfort and affluence to society and people’s lives. Furthermore, NSK’s technologies contribute to the development of state-of-the-art applications, including hybrid vehicles; GPS car navigation systems; the latest Shinkansen bullet trains; wind turbines, and CT scanners and other items.
The “NEXT 10”
Looking ahead to 2016, which is the 100th anniversary of our foundation, the NSK R&D division is aggressively working to develop technologies that will yield fruitful results in the next decade. A few examples of our research, which have so far only existed in dreams, include a car with an automatic driving control system, a chip capable of extracting DNA from a biological cell, and more. NSK aims at further improving its research and development capabilities in order to respond to emerging needs. At the frontline of these R&D activities, there are researchers with the courage and the enthusiasm needed to realize tomorrow what cannot yet be realized today.
Intellectual Property
NSK is working to secure its income base by establishing robust patent coverage to protect new products developed using original technologies. We have stepped up our patent application activities, and in fiscal 2006, we maintained our leadership in the field of machinery parts by publishing 1,500 patents in Japan. The number of patent applications is not our sole focus, however; we are also working to enhance qualitative content. As a result of these efforts, we now hold 1,200 registered patents in Japan and 1,914 in other countries. These patents are being used as important resources for the global business operations of the NSK Group. Another important intellectual property is the NSK brand. We are maintaining and strengthening the reputation of our brand by working with the relevant authorities to combat counterfeit products, which have proliferated in overseas markets in recent years.
Major R&D Achievements in Fiscal 2006
Industry Machinery Bearings
- Quiet-running, long-life ball bearings for fan motors operating in high-temperature environments
- Ultrahighly accurate, ceramic, angular contact ball bearings for machine tool main spindles
- High-speed long-life cylindrical roller bearings employing an automated grease replenishing system
- A new series of long-life split cylindrical roller bearing units for segmented drive rolls that contribute to a cleaner working environment used in steel mill applications
- A new series of highly corrosion-resistant self-aligning ball bearings
- The world’s thinnest*1 microactuator pivot ball bearing assembly for ultra-thin 2.5mm HDDs
- New SpinshotTM ultra high-speed angular contact ball bearings of the ROBUST series for machine tool main spindles
Automotive Products
- The world’s first lightweight and cold-formed hub unit bearings for passenger vehicles
- Idler bearings that achieve longer service life
- The world’s thinnest*2 drawn-cup needle roller bearings with seal rings
- Compact high-power output electric power steering with high-strength gear
- Ultra-light, highly rigid, and tilt-telescopic steering columns for passenger vehicles
- Next-generation steering columns with improved safety and comfort
- Highly efficient brushless motor and motor control technology for use in electric power steering (EPS) systems of passenger cars
- Bearings prepacked with nanoparticle grease for automotive throttle and EGR valve motors
Precision Machinery and Parts
- High-speed linear motion actuators for clean environments
- Extension of lineup of NSK RA series roller linear guides available in single unit quantities with preload
- A high-speed, high-capacity long-lead series of ball screws for clamping units of injection molding machines
- The TW series of ball screws for twin-drive systems used in machine tools
- The BSL series of ball screws for small lathes
- NSK’s new HMC series ball screws for high-speed machine tools on exhibit at JIMTOF2006
*1: As of May 24, 2006 investigated by NSK Ltd.
*2: As of July 21, 2006 investigated by NSK Ltd.
*2: As of July 21, 2006 investigated by NSK Ltd.
