NSK's new four-row tapered roller bearing for rolling mill shafts significantly extends the life of steel mill equipment while reducing energy consumption.

 The harsh operating conditions of equipment in steel mills require reliable components that should help reduce costs and energy consumption. On rolling mills, pairs of work rolls are used for rolling slabs of steel or other metals into different types of metal rolling - sheets, beams, rails, etc.

 Bearings of work rolls experience a number of negative effects - vibration and shock, high temperatures, the effects of water used for cooling, all kinds of contaminants from steel billets (metal scale). All this leads to the fact that the bearings quickly fail and need to be replaced regularly with the entire rolling mill stopped. Such delays directly affect output and profitability.

The Japanese manufacturer of bearings NSK has developed a four-row sealed tapered roller bearing with waterproof grease. NSK's new rolling mill bearings offer greater reliability and longer life.

NSK work roll bearings are filled with a new lubricant compound that provides a thicker oil film and a protective layer between the raceway and the rollers. Lubricating additives also prevent corrosion, which increases the service life in conditions where water can enter the bearing.

The new NSK four-row bearings also better carry heavy loads at high speeds and temperatures. In addition, due to special seals it receives better protection against splashes of water and metal particles, which can cause peeling, rust and jamming.

The new sealed bearing also offers the following benefits:

- thanks to the optimized internal design, an increase in the nominal load is achieved;

- An improved seal design prevents water from entering the bearing, which reduces grease contamination.

Field tests have confirmed a significant increase in bearing life: at least 16 months compared to conventional bearings, which typically last less than 8 months. Such a significant increase in service life means fewer replacements and less downtime for repairs.