The low energy consumption of electric drives is an important target in many industrial applications, and rolling bearings can play a role in delivering this ambition. NSK demonstrates this effect with a new series of deep groove ball bearings that generates up to 80% less energy loss, a factor that has a positive effect on the energy efficiency of electric motors.
Before this development, NSK conducted an intensive investigation into the parameters influencing the energy loss of bearings, drawing a number of interesting conclusions. As a result, the new bearing series uses new grease that has been specially developed for friction reduction, while the grease filling level has also been optimised.
In comparison with a conventional deep groove ball bearing, the new NSK high-efficiency bearings demonstrate 60% less friction when using a steel cage. If a plastic cage is used, internal friction is reduced even further, by almost 80%. As a further benefit, service life with the new grease is increased by a factor of 2.7.
