June 21, 2006

NTN Develops a Next-Generation Deep Groove Ball Bearing

[Long Life under High Temperature conditions, Improved Conductivity, and Tapping Noise Prevention Attained All at Once!]

NTN Corporation (NTN) has developed a next-generation deep groove ball bearing specifically used for fixing roller supports of copy machines and printers. These bearings have three times the high-temperature service life, six times the conductivity and better tapping noise prevention, compared to previous NTN products.

The temperature of the fixing roller is raised in order to speed up the time needed to fix the toner to the paper. This demands a high-temperature service bearing around the fixing rollers. Also, because the quality of the printing deteriorates when electromagnetic noise occurs, it is necessary to raise the electrical conductivity of the bearings to reduce the noise.

Furthermore, because clearance is required to facilitate initial assembly, the bearings have a function to prevent this mechanical noise in operation.

NTN's next-generation deep groove ball bearings feature a newly-developed grease with superior conductivity for longer high-temperature service life and electromagnetic noise prevention, and a special film on the bore diameter surface of the inner ring. The end result is higher speed and higher quality printing, while preventing tapping noise during running, a problem that could not be solved until now.

[Features]

Long high-temperature service life
- More than three times the service life of current products at high temperature (200°C)
Improved bearing conductivity(reduction in the bearing's electrical resistance)
- The conductivity of the bearing has been improved to 6 times that of current products
Tapping noise prevention
- This bearing prevents tapping noise by using an electrically conductive lubricant film on the bearing inner ring.

[Applications]

Fixing roller for copy machines and printers

[New Bearing and New Electrically Conductive Grease]

[Customer issues]

Higher printing speeds	⇒ Longer bearing life under high-temperature conditions
Longer device service life	⇒ Longer bearing life under high-temperature conditions
Higher print quality	⇒ Improved conductivity for bearings
Noise prevention	⇒ Special film (electrically conductive lubricant film)

[Advantages]

Longer service life	:Three times the high-temperature durability of previous products
Improved conductivity	:Six times the conductivity of previous products
Noise prevention	:Special film used on inner ring

[How it works]

The newly developed grease increases the amount of base oil by optimizing the component compound
⇒ The result is a longer life under high temperature conditions!

This newly developed grease also increases conductivity compared to conventional grease. This results in less noise
⇒ Improved electrical conductivity for bearings

An electrically conductive lubricant film is used on the inner ring. This results in lowering mechanical noise.
⇒ Prevention of tapping noise