Unique 2D Laser Code Provides Traceability For NSK Super Precision Bearings
As one of the World's most recognised bearing brands, NSK is continually investing in manufacturing technology to improve bearing quality and performance. In order to add convenience to customers and protect that investment, NSK is using technology that allows customers to identify and reference the manufacturing characteristics of individual bearings.
Designed to provide a quality guarantee, full traceability and act as an anti-counterfeit measure, NSK's state-of-the-art production facility in Newark, UK is laser marking its Super Precision bearings with a unique 2D matrix which allows every individual bearing to carry details about its manufacture.
In today's manufacturing environment technology is helping many industries to improve quality and reliability while also reducing overall costs. One such example is the implementation of component tracking and traceability systems; what was once the preserve of the medical and aerospace sectors is now part of a growing trend employed in a much wider range of manufacturing and process industries from machine tool manufacture to food production.
The introduction of two dimensional matrix codes has allowed a much greater amount of individual information to be referenced compared to a generic product type serial number or batch number. Now it is possible to include a unique reference for manufacturing dates, axial and radial run-out figures as well as preload information and machining data. All of this information can be linked to a unique laser etched pattern on every single Super Precision bearing, which enables both NSK and its customers to have easy access to this crucial information.
At NSK, this coding forms part of the manufacturing process and is used to populate the product reference database as well as produce the product labels which are fixed to the outer packaging. By incorporating the data for every bearing produced into the production data system, it also provides a vital quality control tool as well as complete traceability, which is required by many industries such as aerospace, medical and automotive.
The majority of NSK Super Precision bearings are used on machine tool spindles. In this application the unique information carried by each bearing also enables identification of any product that is being replaced, so that wear and life-time information can be linked back to the production process in great detail. In the past, this could only be narrowed down to a single batch or day of production, which could mean much larger numbers of the product being included in any analysis.
This NSK system automatically measures the critical dimensions of bearings ensuring 100 percent checking and zero defects. These values are stored in a product database that is uniquely linked to each bearing via the 2D matrix. By providing real-time reports on materials, components, machines and shift operators, the system can be used to identify contributions to individual parts, and after testing allow final products to be despatched with confidence. In this way the high product quality expected by the customer is maintained (NSK maintains a zero parts per million (PPM) failure record) and the costs associated with premature replacements can be avoided.
While investment continues year-on-year in research and development, NSK has also invested in streamlining the warehouse and dispatch areas allowing more efficient service to customers. NSK has a stock holding of several million pounds in the warehouse in Newark UK, guaranteeing not only superior quality, but also the best possible delivery times for the vast majority of the product range.
About NSK
Established almost 100 years ago, NSK (Nippon Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha) is a Japanese-listed company that has evolved from a regional ball bearing supplier to a roller bearing specialist and automotive supplier with a global market presence. Today, NSK employs more than 28,500 employees in 29 countries. As per March 2013 NSK achieved a turnover of 6,1 billion Euros. This result has been driven by ever-increasing investment in research & development, enabling the company to continuously improve the quality of its products and services. This investment supports NSK’s objective of “No. 1 in Total Quality”. In addition to a complete rolling bearing portfolio, NSK develops and manufactures precision components and mechatronic products, as well as systems and components for the automotive industry, including wheel bearing units and electric power-steering systems.
In 1963, NSK’s first European subsidiary, Düsseldorf, Germany, was opened and in 1976, the first European production facility in Peterlee, England. Today, NSK Europe supports pan-European sales with production locations in England, Poland and Germany, logistics centres in the Netherlands, Germany and England and technology centres in Germany, England, France and Poland. In 1990, NSK purchased the UPI Group including the renowned European bearing manufacturer RHP, with its factory in Newark (UK). Additionally, NSK has developed a comprehensive network of authorised sales distributors. NSK Europe is divided into application-based business divisions: Industry rolling bearing technologies & linear and precision technology (EIBU) as well as bearing modules and steering systems for the automotive industry (EABU & ESBU). In this organisation, NSK Europe's 3,400 employees achieved a turnover of over 950 million Euros as per March 2013.
Editor Contact
DMA Europa Ltd. : Elizabeth Preciado-Achury
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Reader Contact
NSK UK Ltd : Helena Measham, Customer Service Manager
Tel: 0500 2327464
Web: www.nskeurope.com
Email: info-uk@nsk.com