Case Studies
Useful Worksite Knowledge
A sifter left unchecked could lead to expensive repairs!
The LINESIFTER® (sifter) requires regular maintenance because the beater (blade) rotates at high speed inside the cylindrical sieve. If you detect equipment abnormalities early on, they can often be resolved with a simple part replacement. However, if you leave it unchecked, you will eventually incur expensive repairs.
▲LINESIFTER®︎ Standard Model
Noises, vibrations, foreign matter...Watch out for these signs!
◎ There is a periodic abnormal noise
◎ The vibrations while operating have increased (or so it seems)
◎ There are iron filings in the bearing section
◎ The vibrations while operating have increased (or so it seems)
◎ There are iron filings in the bearing section
These are signs of wear on the beater shaft and bearings inside the equipment. If addressed early, only the shaft component needs to be replaced, but if left unchecked, it could lead to more serious problems.
Actual Case
We received a customer inquiry regarding abnormal noises and vibrations
We received a customer inquiry regarding abnormal noises and vibrations and conducted an on-site inspection. Although the current value was normal and the air purge volume was within specifications, a periodic abnormal noise was heard, and iron filings were found around the bearing.
We found wear and gaps in parts that had not been inspected!
It was determined that wear had occurred on the sliding section of the beater shaft and bearings, resulting in a tiny gap. The customer told us, “We have not performed any inspections or maintenance for about eight years since the equipment was installed.”
The cause was bearing wear after 8 years of use!
The bearings that support the high-speed rotating beater shaft are critical components and are bound to wear out over time. If you have a regular inspection performed while the damage is only to the shaft components (around the bearings), you’ll only need to replace those parts. However, if you leave worn bearings unchecked, the shaft itself will become worn down. Since the shaft is a custom-made product, the replacement cost is higher than it would be for just the shaft component alone.
[Cost comparison (estimated)]
Replacing only the shaft components: Relatively short time and low cost
Replacing the beater shaft: Because they are custom-made products, costs and lead times are several times higher (and production line shutdowns are also prolonged)
Watch out for these points during your daily inspections!
Perform inspection and cleaning of the sieve (before and after daily production)
Check tightening of the knob bolts on the inspection door
Check for iron filings and powder leakage around the bearing area from the inspection port
Check for deflection and cracks of the V-belt
Check the bearing section on the motor side
Note: If you find powder leakage or iron filings from the bearing section, please contact TSUKASA immediately.
Check tightening of the knob bolts on the inspection door
Check for iron filings and powder leakage around the bearing area from the inspection port
Check for deflection and cracks of the V-belt
Check the bearing section on the motor side
Note: If you find powder leakage or iron filings from the bearing section, please contact TSUKASA immediately.
Message from TSUKASA
No maintenance is not a way to save money. It is just putting off expensive repairs!
By taking advantage of our periodic maintenance services in addition to your daily inspections, you can detect wear and tear early on and address it at a lower cost. Not performing regular inspections over the long term is not a way to save money. It is simply “putting off expensive repairs. ” Regular inspections are an investment in your equipment!