Version 01.

2014

NKE bearings for industrial gearboxes

> Versatile solutions
for demanding applications
Content

 Overview – NKE AUSTRIA

 Bearing solutions for
industrial gearboxes
 Professional service support
 Application examples for NKE
bearings in gearboxes
 Reference list – mechanical drive
technology
 NKE AUSTRIA – Overview
 Established in 1996 in Steyr,
Austria by a group of senior
people from former Steyr
Wälzlager GmbH
 Today, a significant alternative
for bearings in the premium
class

Key facts (10.2014):

 We develop, design,
 ~ 150 employees manufacture and market high-
 25 million Euro annual sales quality standard and special
 15 international sales offices bearings for industrial
 240 distribution partners applications
 Customers in more than 60
countries
Bearing solutions for industrial gearboxes

 Bearings in industrial gearboxes must withstand

arduous duty
 Many factors have to be considered when designing a
drive system, e.g. loads, speeds, torque, installation
space
 Suitable bearings play a decisive role in industrial
gearboxes.
 NKE offers:
• creative, technical and commercial solutions
• good availability / short delivery time
 Numerous customers rely on NKE as a competent
partner for bearings
NKE standard bearings

 Wide range of standard

bearings either from stock or
with short lead-time
 Internationally standardised –
excellent availability,
economical, 100%
interchangeable with leading
brands
 Covers most industrial
applications
 Suitable bearings for your drive system

 Depending on the requirements different types of bearings are used

in different locations of a gearbox, e.g. in a planetary gearbox of a
wind turbine (DE):

Four-point contact ball bearing

Cylindrical roller bearing

Tapered roller
bearings
Full complement cylindrical
roller bearings
(without cage) Special cylindrical
roller bearings
Cylindrical roller bearings

 Suitable for high radial loads and

medium to high speeds
 In floating arrangements
 Compact designs:
• Single-row (N, NJ, NU und NUP)
• Double-row (NN und NNU)
 Cage variants:
• Brass (M6, MA6, MPA)
• Polyamide (TVP3)
Full complement cylindrical roller bearings

 Without cage  maximum possible

number of rollers in an available space
 Suitable for very high radial loads
 Low speed
 Black oxide coating possible (SQ94D)
Four-point contact ball bearings

 Typically unrestrained in radial direction

to accomodate thrust loads only
 Radial loads permissible, provided that:

Fa
≥ 1,27
Fr
Tapered roller bearings

 Suitable for high radial loads as well as

thrust loads in one direction
 When paired, suitable for thrust loads in
both directions
 Custom designs possible
Special cylindrical roller bearings

 Special specifications:
• optimised component geometry
• surface treatment / coating
 Custom designs
 Ready-to-mount units
 … etc.
Other types of bearings:

For smaller gearboxes NKE deep groove ball bearings and

angular contact ball bearings are also used.

Deep groove ball bearing

Angular contact ball bearing
 Popular, economical
 Suitable for high speed operation
 Suitable for very high rotating
speeds  Able to accommodate both radial
and thrust loads
 Various seals and grease
variants available for different
operating conditions
Professional service support

 Equipped with experience and

know-how, our teams work closely
together with our customers. Our
services include:
• Application consultancy
• Technical calculation
• Certification support
• Product development, design support
• Training
Application examples
of NKE bearings in gearboxes
Reference – Mining equipment (AT) 1/2

 The customer is one of the largest

manufacturers of mining equipment
worldwide. NKE supplies bearings to
the production site in Austria for many
years.

 Application:
• Spur-gear stage of a planetary gear
 Requirements:
• Shock resistance
• High reliability
• Long service life
 NKE solution:
• Optimised tapered roller bearings
Reference – Mining equipment (AT) 2/2

 Application:
• Angle drive for mining equipment
 Bearing types:
• Angular contact ball bearings
7318-BE-CB-MP
• Cylindrical roller bearing NJ224-E-M6
 Requirements:
• Shock resistance
• High reliability
• Long service life
 NKE solution:
• Bearings with solid brass cage and
special adaptation
Reference: Gearbox manufacturer (DE)

 The company in Bremen, Germany, produces gearboxes and gear

parts for mechanical engineering
 NKE bearings are used in different applications
Reference: Manufacturer of geared motors (DE)

 The company in Bavaria, Germany,

develops and produces innovative drive
solutions.
 Application:
• Geared hub motor
 Assignment:
• Developing a bearing arrangement for a
compact and maintenance free low-profile
geared hub motor
 NKE solution:
• By integrating adjacent parts into the special
bearing, a space saving and
economic solution has been realised
Reference: Steering and drive system for forklifts
(DE)
 The company develops, produces and services
driveline and chassis technologies around the
world. NKE supplies bearings to their
production sites in Germany and Austria.
 Application:
• Wheel bearing of a steering and drive system for
forklifts

 Requirement:
• Development of a robust and compact bearing
arrangement which has to achieve the minimum
service life time under consideration of variable
loads and changing drive wheel diameter
 NKE solution:
• A double row tapered roller bearing has been
especially modified for a compact yet rigid
bearing arrangement within a very limited space.
Reference: Gearbox manufacturer (CZ)

 The company group is a significant

manufacturer of mechanical gear units
suitable for various applications. The
gearbox for the world’s first
commercial tidal current turbine was
manufacturered by the company.
 Application:
• Gearbox of tidal current turbine
SEAGEN
 NKE bearings:
• DGBBs, TRBs, CRBs and
four-point contact bearings
with outer diameters
from 300 to 1090 mm
Reference: Gearbox manufacturer (DE)

 The customer is an innovative

company in developing and
production of gearboxes for all
industrial applications.
 Application:
• Planetary bearings for 1.5MW wind
turbine
 Requirement:
• Long service life
• High reliability
 NKE bearing type:
• Cylindrical roller bearing
NJ2324-E-MA6
Reference: Railway service provider (GB)

 The customer provides services to major UK railways

 Application:
• Axle drive for railway vehicles
 Problem:
• Supply bottleneck
• Frequent gearbox damages
 Assignment:
• Improving bearing performance
• Enhancing of logistic performance
• Reducing total costs
Reference: Railway service provider (GB)
…Cont’d

 NKE solution:
• Bearings with restricted tolerances
• Consignment stock → yields 100% availability
• Long-term contract → cost savings, improved logistics
 Bearing types:
• Angular contact ball bearings
• Cylindrical roller bearings
• Tapered roller bearings
 Results:
• No more gear box damages due to bearing related issues (4+ years)
• Complete conversion to NKE products
• No more logistic problems
Reference: Railway service provider (GB)
…Cont’d
Reference list: mechanical drive technology