Changzhou Giant Bearing Co., Ltd

Tokyo, Japan, July 5, 2011 – NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) today announced that it has developed large-diameter bearings for motors that are capable of ultra high-speed rotation exceeding two million dmn*1. The new products deliver the fastest*2 rotation speeds of any other ball bearing used for automotive applications, and can be utilized in ultra high-speed motors to help improve fuel economy and driving performance. NSK is targeting annual net sales of ¥3.5 billion of the products by 2015.

*1 dmn: Bearing diameter × Maximum rotating speed

*2 According to our own research, as of July 2011

 There is an increasing diversity of hybrid systems aimed at delivering better fuel efficiency and higher motor power output for driving. For hybrid car motors, there is increasing demand for larger diameter bearings, as motors increase in size and with the development of ultra high-speed motors that deliver higher power output.

 The large-diameter ball bearings for hybrid car motors have an inner diameter of 160 mm and outer diameter of 190 mm, yet in spite of their size are capable of ultra high-speed rotation exceeding two million dmn, faster than any other ball bearing used for automotive applications.

 The new ball bearings will help to improve the fuel efficiency and driving performance of hybrid cars, by enabling drive motors and generators that enhance power output and fuel efficiency in hybrid cars.

Product features

 The superior features of this product, as detailed below, enable it to deliver ultra high-speed rotation.

Carbon fiber reinforced PEEK cage

To deal with the tremendous centrifugal force generated by the high-speed rotation of large-diameter bearings, carbon fiber reinforced PEEK is being used for the first time ever as a cage material for automotive bearings, dramatically improving cage durability.

Inner ring guide

The use of a crown cage for the ball guide along with the outer diameter of the inner ring as guide surfaces controls vibration and skidding damage resulting from cage runout, dramatically improving bearing durability during super high-speed rotation.

Optimized internal design and long life technology

Optimized radial clearance, ball diameter, number of balls, and groove dimensions inside the bearing module control friction and heat generation even under ultra high-speed rotation, preventing seizure. In addition, the use of heat treatment technology and a material with superior dimensional stability on the inner and outer rings controls age deterioration of dimensions and radial clearance during usage, improving durability.