Success Story
Industry: Food & Beverage
Application: Band Cutters in a Dough Machine
Cost Savings: $219,924
Introduction
A bakery was experiencing regular failures on their band cutter linear guides. The existing linear guides were Armoloy coated and used food grade grease however, not holding up to the required performance standards. The bakery was looking for a linear guide with increased speeds and longer service life to meet increased production. NSK proposed a stainless steel Linear Guide, high speed series with food grade K1 lubrication unit.
- Bakery
- NH/NS Linear Guides
Key Facts
- Dough machine in a bakery
- Customer was using linear guides with Armoloy coating
- The existing technology was not holding up the performance standards needed
- The Linear Guides on the band cutter needed to be replaced every 3 weeks causing excessive maintenance, downtime and lost production
- NSK solution: Stainless steel Linear Guide high speed series with Food grade K1 Lubrication Unit
- Maintenance costs were reduced and cost savings were achieved
Value Proposals
- After inspecting the failed linear guides, NSK proposed the use of Stainless Steel NH/NS Series Linear Guides.
- The previous supplier offered Armoloy coated linear guides which were not holding up in the application.
- The bakery was also looking to improve the speed of the application from 250 cycles per minute to 310.
- A test on a set of linear guides was performed
- Although the cost of the linear guides were double, the life time was ten times longer, increasing output and decreasing downtime.
- A resultant cost saving was agreed with reduced maintenance time.
Product Features
- High-speed design as standard
- High level of precision in different classes
- Self-aligning feature: accommodates misalignment and minimizes internal loads
- Quiet running
- Various preload categories
- Unlimited rail length as individual sections can be used together
- Optimum absorption of impact loads
- First-rate running characteristics and easy assembly
- Higher load ratings make it possible to double service life
- Clear product range due to standardization
Cost Saving Breakdown
| Before | Cost p.a. | NSK Solution | Cost p.a. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bearing Costs: Linear guides replacement costs: - 5 machines every 3 weeks |
$83,186 | Bearing Costs: Linear guides replacement costs: -5 machines every 32 weeks |
$14,037 | |
| Costs of lost production: 4 hours x $480; 3 weeks replacement intervals |
$166,372 | Costs of lost production: 4 hours x $480; 32 weeks replacement intervals |
$15,597 | |
| Total Costs | $249,558 | $29,634 | ||
Reference:SS-E-0019
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