Tokyo, Japan, September 28, 2011 - NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today announced that it has developed energy-saving bearings for high-efficiency motors that halve the friction loss of rolling bearings used in conventional products. The new bearings will contribute to a reduction of electric power consumption desired by users of high-efficiency motors. NSK is aiming for annual sales of the new product of 7 billion yen by 2016.
Reducing CO2 emissions and saving energy have become increasingly important in recent years as global warming countermeasures. Because motors account for 75% of industrial power consumption, efficiency regulations for motors are in place around the world. In 2008, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) created global standards for motor efficiency. Nearly 90% of motor efficiency issues are caused by iron loss, copper loss, circuit loss, and windage loss, whereas mechanical loss related to bearing friction accounts for only about 10%. In coming years, as the efficiency level for motors progresses to IE3* and IE4*, the demand for bearings with low friction loss will increase.
* IE3, IE4: Efficiency levels set by the IEC. IE1 (standard efficiency), IE2 (high efficiency), IE3 (premium efficiency), IE4 (super premium efficiency).