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Washdown Bottling Automation

Washdown Bottling Automation

Main image for Application Story: Bottling Automation

Bottling equipment manufacturer’s ball bearings are a washout

A manufacturer of bottling equipment was having trouble with ball bearings during the washdown process. The cleaning agent used within this washdown environment was washing the lubrication out of linear ball bearings. As one might expect, when lubrication was cleansed from the components and surfaces, the ball bearings would then seize on the shaft. The effect was to destroy both the bearing and the shaft. Along with the cost of replacing these parts, there was also considerable downtime, resulting in overall lower production.

Components:

Simplicity Plain bearings:FL08, FL12, FL16

Retrofit or OEM:

OEM

Problem:

A bottling equipment manufacturer was disappointed with ball bearing performance in their automation washdown environments.

Solution:

Simplicity®plain bearings eliminated frequent bearing and shaft seizing, eliminating costly replacements and downtime.

The PBC Linear solution

Simplicity® plain bearings were used as an effective alternative to ball bearings. The plain bearing Frelon® liners produce a microscopic transfer of thin film that creates a smooth interaction between the bearing and shaft. This in turn allows for the self-lubricating condition of Frelon riding on Frelon. Simplicity bearing are also engineered to wipe particles from shafts, so no seals were needed. Frequent seizing of the bearing and shaft was eliminated.

Results / ROI

The customer's reaction to this plain bearing solution was very positive. The implementation of Simplicity plain bearings within this harsh environment resulted in the ability to operate their machines without lubrication, add long-term protection to the shafting, and offer long-life within washdown areas. There has been an assurance that they will continue to provide this bottling manufacturer with an improved alternative to ball bearings. The bottom line on bottling: a reduction in overall cost with bearings from PBC Linear.

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