An industrial bakery was experiencing regular failures every three weeks on their band cutter linear lines despite being coated with an Armoloy finish – and using food-grade grease. The bakery sought a linear guide capable of higher speeds and longer working life to boost the production from 250 to more than 300 cycles per minute.

Within the framework of NSK’s AIP (Added Value Program), the company recommended the use of the NH/NS series stainless steel linear guides in combination with a food-grade lubrication unit. Designed to perform precise linear motion even at high speeds, they have a long service life even when subjected to frequent and deep cleaning cycles.

The lubrication units are FDA approved, because the lubricant is incorporated in a carrier medium and released little by little. Accurate sealing prevents contaminants from reaching the running surface.

To further extend the potential benefits, NSK has recently introduced the K1-L lubrication unit that houses a new polyolefin-based carrier material with a much larger reserve of lubricant, leading to a service life which is typically double that of the K1 series. Fully compatible with NH/NS series linear guides, the K-1L acts as a direct replacement for existing K1 units.