Ball-Screw Condition Monitoring by NSK
NSK is a manufacturer that offers a complete development and supply service for the essential parts that machine tools require, including high-precision, high-speed ball screws. However, the company also helps customers apply novel technologies that support extended product life and the potential deployment of predictive maintenance strategies. Therefore, central to the display on Booth C42 in Hall 7 at EMO Hannover 2023 (18-23 September) will be a live demonstration of a condition monitoring system developed by Brüel & Kjær Vibro (B&K Vibro), a member of the NSK Group. Involving a pair of NSK ball screws, this fascinating exhibit provides a compelling reason to visit the booth.
The live demonstration will centre on the VCM-3 condition monitoring system (CMS), produced by Brüel & Kjær Vibro, a member of the NSK group and one of the leading worldwide suppliers of condition monitoring solutions for rotating machinery. Specifically, the VCM-3 plus vibration sensors will showcase proven credentials for monitoring linear motion equipment such as NSK ball screws. The system, based on compact, cost-effective, cutting-edge technology helps turn vibration data into real business value.
On a wider level, the VCM-3 provides automatic machine fault detection and diagnostics, adding a new dimension of healthcare awareness to machine shop assets. Users do not require any previous diagnostic expertise: the system uses specially defined measurements that not only facilitate the early automatic detection of developing faults, but also give a diagnostic indication of the fault type and its severity. The VCM-3 is simple and fast to configure. A built-in OPC UA server enables seamless integration of VCM-3 data to DCS, SCADA, data historian and other systems. The system is also expandable using other components of the broad B&K Vibro solution portfolio to provide plant-wide condition monitoring.
Next-generation ball-screws
Ball screws will of course be a core technology on the NSK booth. Making its debut appearance in Europe will be the company’s next-generation ball-screws for high-accuracy machine tools. Offering reduced motion errors and no ‘second glitch’ phenomenon, these new ball screws help enhance the surface finish of workpieces, in turn reducing or eliminating the need for secondary polishing/burnishing operations.
Another ball screw on the booth will be the NSK low-temperature series. Features include 45% less friction loss (heat generation) in comparison with conventional systems at the same rigidity. Also making its European exhibition debut at EMO will be the company’s HFT series for high-load drive applications, which offers up to two times longer life than conventional ball screws.
Further NSK ball screws on the booth will include the S-HTF range, which takes advantage of NSK’s proprietary Tough Steel to help combat high loads and contamination.
Linear guides
NSK will also shine its EMO spotlight on linear guides, including the new DH/DS long-life series. With a world-leading dynamic load rating, the DH/DS delivers over twice the running distance of the company’s conventional NH/NS series. NSK will also present its proven RA series roller guides featuring highly dust-resistant seals.
The company is world-renowned for its bearings and EMO will provide the European launch pad for NSK’s ROBUSTDYNA ultra-high speed, high-load capacity angular contact ball bearings. Ideal for machine tool spindles, these ground-breaking new bearings feature bigger bearing balls to increase maximum load capacity by up to 15% in comparison with the previous-generation solution. A further major introduction at the show will be NSK’s ROBUSTGRD grease for high-speed spindle bearings, which improves seizure resistance and reliability in coolant environments.
The booth will also showcase NSK’s SURSAVE (TSR) bearing cage for angular contact ball bearings that deliver energy savings, high speeds and reduced vibration during use on machine tool spindles. A range of various NSK super precision bearings and high-speed motor bearings will round-up the showcase for machine tools, alongside thin angular contact ball bearings for robots.
