Plastic Ball Bearings offer solution for gravity conveyors.
Press Release Summary:
Requiring no grease or oil lubricants, Plastic Raceway Ball Bearings do not attract dirt, which is important for operations in food and drug industry that require high degree of cleanliness. Polymeric units operate more quietly than steel bearings, do not rust after washdown, and will resist humid environments while optimizing shock load carrying capability. Plastic bearings are available in custom configurations.
Original Press Release:
Plastic Bearings Provide Perfect Solution for Gravity Conveyors
Anaheim, California, - KMS, a leader in the development and manufacturing of plastic and AISI 316 stainless raceway, radial ball bearings, is pleased to announce the availability of Plastic Raceway ball bearings that are ideal for conveyor systems. They are lightweight, require no lubrication, will not rust after washdown, and require less energy to turn. These polymeric ball bearings resist humid environments while improving shock load carrying capability.
The gravity conveyor can be one of the most destructive applications for ball bearings. These bearings are expected to take heavy shock loads and survive in harsh environmental conditions. They must operate in spite of dusty contamination, frequent washdowns with water, and with more general abuse than nearly any other industrial bearing application.
Bob Jones, owner and chief engineer for Convey-IT, was looking for a way to offer a portable, lightweight, easily erected gravity conveyor for unloading cargo from trucks and for general in-plant use. The requirements for the bearings were that they be corrosion resistant to tolerate wet and dirty environments, light weight, and free spinning.
The typical gravity conveyor uses ball bearings fabricated from carbon steel. As can be expected in the environmental conditions often encountered, most carbon steel bearings succumb to corrosion and freeze up after a few months of use. Stainless steel bearings could be used, but the high cost of stainless steel, nearly ten times that of carbon steel, prohibits their use in nearly all applications.
"KMS Bearings offered a better idea. KMS plastic race conveyor ball bearings require no lubrication and can be washed down with water to be kept clean and running freely," stated Bill McNamara, Founder of KMS Bearings, Inc. "With no grease or oil lubricants, the bearings do not attract dirt, which is a major consideration for operations in the food and drug industry that require a high degree of cleanliness."
The use of plastic bearings also improves the shock load carrying capability of the conveyor. Carbon steel bearings are subject to brinelling under shock loads. Polymer race bearings are more resistant to impact and shock loading, making them much less susceptible to damage. At less than half the weight of their steel counterparts, use of plastic bearings reduces shipping costs, increases portability, and, because of the reduced rotational inertia, allows the gravity conveying of lighter loads. Plastic bearings are quieter, which is a benefit for the workers at any food processing and packaging plant where the noise compounds to the point were many workers have to wear earplugs.
KMS plastic bearings are available in custom configurations. The website provides all the tools necessary to help design or select parts. Examples of conveyor bearings can be found at: http://kmsbearings.thomasnet.com/category/conveyor-ball-bearings-2
About KMS
Since 1979, KMS Bearings, Inc. has been a leader in the development and manufacturing of plastic and AISI 316 stainless raceway, radial ball bearings. KMS bearings is located in Anaheim , California, just 30 minutes from the Los Angeles area.
The KMS goal is to provide quality products and services on time, in full responsiveness to the demands of our customers and prospects. KMS believes it cannot achieve these strategic goals and objectives without the total ongoing commitment to COMPANY WIDE EXCELLENCE.
