Gearboxes

Gearboxes are used in a very wide range of industrial fields. Thanks to the use of gearboxes, a small rotation force (torque) can be used to produce a much greater rotation force, and a slow rate of revolution can be speeded up. In many industries, the gearbox, which is the equipment that transmits mechanical power, is an essential piece of equipment. This step-up unit is the:

• heart of a wind turbine
• transmission in an automobile
• the reduction gears in a Ferris wheel

By supplying bearings for gearboxes such as these in support of their most important function: “revolving,” NSK believes that it can even be said to be supporting the world.

However, because there are many instances where the breakdown of a gearbox would have serious implications, extremely high reliability is demanded. Naturally, NSK seeks to ensure that its designs closely match customer needs, and the company is always aiming to enhance product quality. NSK supplies bearings that offer long life to reduce equipment maintenance costs, can handle high load capacities, and are extremely reliable.

NSK will continue to pool its comprehensive strengths. With environmental issues firmly in its sights, the company will continue product development efforts so that it can offer the next generation of bearings for more efficient gearboxes that can achieve longer life.

The bearings that are used in gearboxes must have certain performance characteristics:

• low noise
• low vibration
• low heat generation
• light weight
• high rigidity
• long operating life

In order to meet all customer requirements for:

• low energy use
• lower maintenance costs
• compactness
• light weight
• high reliability

NSK has contributed all of its know-how in such fields as its globally renowned design and development strengths, as well as materials, tribology and production technologies. Products include NSKHPS spherical roller bearings and the EW/EM Series with its high rigidity cages. As a result, NSK has not only achieved unprecedentedly long operational life and higher limiting speeds, it has also made it possible to increase load capacity for smaller bearings Customers who use NSK bearings will be able to experience the latest in bearing technologies.