Solution Spotlight

Capturing Savings Through Bearing Reconditioning
NSK rolls out the type of program that helps end users cut costs without sacrificing quality and performance.

No industry is immune to the current economic climate. Businesses across all sectors are evaluating every dollar they spend these days. Because bearings are so critical in industrial applications, they are an ideal place to explore cost-reduction opportunities. Reconditioning of bearings to eliminate the need for costly replacement and reduce downtime is such an opportunity. Utilizing a reconditioning program also means that customers don’t have to worry about long lead times that can sometimes be associated with the purchase of new bearings.

“Bearing reconditioning is a precise science that provides superior results in extending the life of existing bearings and eliminating the need to discard or replace valuable parts,” says NSK Segment Manager Donald Robertson. “Bearings reconditioned by NSK are just as reliable and perform just as well as their new counterparts, which makes them a cost-effective option for our customers seeking to reduce replacement costs.”

Real-world results
According to NSK, its recently rolled-out reconditioning program is generating significant savings for customers. For instance, after being contacted by a global paper company to help with the cost-saving efforts at a Michigan mill, the NSK program helped save the company more than $75,000. NSK was also able to help the customer track and monitor the bearings during the reconditioning process—things that helped generate even more efficiencies for the mill.

How the NSK program works
Bearing damage can result from many factors—including incorrect lubrication, improper installation, misalignment, excessive heat and vibration—all of which are daily challenges in industrial operations. Under a typical reconditioning program arrangement, NSK will inspect customer bearings and provide a detailed inspection report along with the reconditioning quote. Working with NSK, customers are then able to proactively identify and correct issues that may be causing the bearing damage and thereby reduce future unexpected downtime.

For multiple sites within a company, NSK can assist in establishing a shared program for reconditioning. Shared programs can help relieve excess inventories, cut costs and provide shorter lead times for all sites.

NSK Corporation Ann Arbor, MI
For more info, enter 35 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

CAPACITY ASSURANCE MARKETPLACE

Wireless Monitoring Solutions For Difficult Environments

Known for its explosion-proof protection offerings, Cooper Crouse-Hinds has added wireless monitoring solutions to its product lineup. Designed specifically for monitoring and controlling processes in challenging or difficult industrial and hazardous applications, these new products provide an alternative to traditional hard-wired systems. Through a comprehensive system of transmitters, receivers, transceivers and interface gateways, they offer both one- and two-way wireless monitoring capabilities for a host of applications, including tank level monitoring, pump performance metrics, conveyor belt alignments, heat trace monitoring and more.

Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Syracuse, NY
For more info, enter 36 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Manage Tools & Equipment With Bar Code Technology
Dynamic Systems has announced the release of a low-cost tool and equipment manager program based on bar code technology. Basic Tool Manager is targeted at manufacturers who want to reduce the loss of tools and the time it takes to search for them, as well as track equipment maintenance and inventory. According to the company, its customers see a typical payback for the product within three to four months.

Dynamic Systems Inc., Redmond, WA
For more info, enter 37 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Temperature Measurement Added To Sensor Line
AutomationDirect’s ProSense line of process sensors now includes temperature switches, temperature transmitters and RTD temperature probes. The TSD25 series switches offer dual output setpoints over an operating temperature range of -13 to 284 F. With 4-20mA analog outputs, the TTD25 series provides a compact temperature monitoring system over temperature ranges from 0 to 100 C or 0 to 300 F. The four-wire, 100 ohm platinum RTD probes are made of durable 316 stainless steel and measure from -40 to 302 F. The 10 mm diameter probes are available in lengths from 160 mm to 560 mm. Thermowells and fittings are also available.

AutomationDirect, Cumming, GA
For more info, enter 38 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Fire Pump Revamped For Industrial Applications
According to Waterous, it is the only manufacturer in the world with pumps available for use in industrial pigging applications. The company also notes that the revamp of its CMU pump for cleaning of furnace tubing and coiling used in refineries around the world has resulted in a product that outperforms other de-coking and de-scaling methods at a more efficient, cleaner and cost-effective rate. With performance ratings up to 2250 GPM (8550 L/min), the CMU pigging pump propels the oblong metallic cleaning device, or “pig,” with high-pressure waterpower through the coil furnace tubing at rates of 3500 – 4500 RPM. The process encompasses initial hard cleaning, secondary cleaning and final cleaning and polishing. On average, the entire process takes about 18 hours.

Waterous South, St. Paul, MN
For more info, enter 39 at www.MT-freeinfo.com

Butterfly Valve Boasts Increased Throttling Range
According to Emerson, the wide control range of its new Fisher® Control-Disk(T) valve is twice that of traditional butterfly valves. This improved capability allows control closer to the target set point, regardless of process disturbances, which results in a reduction in process variability. Valve selection and sizing are simple procedures. As a direct replacement valve, existing piping can be used. The new Control-Disk valve meets API, ASME and EN standards, making it suitable for use in all world areas.

Emerson Process Management, Marshalltown, IA
For more info, enter 40 at www.MT-freeinfo.com