Self-lubricating bearings resist sub-zero temperatures

With a clear focus on convenience, consumers are increasingly demanding quick, prepared frozen meals.  And food manufacturers are paying attention, as they follow the lead of the automotive industry in incorporating high-efficiency robots to boost production rates.  While robots add speed to the line, the sub-zero temperatures required of frozen food manufacturing places undue stress on metal ball bearings ― yet the environment has no impact on FCJ self-lubricating bearings.

Production halted for expensive maintenance

A leading food service company approached us when their packaging and palletizing robotic arms continually seized in the cold room environment.  They described how temperatures averaged sub zero on the plant floor, which caused the robots’ lubricated rolling element bearings to seize as they absorbed moisture from the frozen goods.  With each bearing failure, workers were required to halt production and manually apply expensive food-grade grease.  This caused a domino effect on plant efficiencies and lowered profits.

FCJ is self-lubricating and thermally stable

TriStar engineers recommended FCJ self-lubricating bearings for their thermal stability and resistance to moisture in wet environments.  A reinforced resin with a Rulon® F tape liner, FCJ bearings are self-lubricating and resist cold temperatures.  In fact, the material is more stable than any surrounding stainless hardware.  Since switching to FCJ bearings, our client has reported zero maintenance issues in nearly two years of continuous use. TriStar boasts many bearings for the food industry, including Ultracomp®, Techtron® HPV, and Tivar® 1000. 

We also invite you to get your free copy of our Food Packaging White Paper to discover the advantages of composite bearings!