It is common knowledge that water and metals are not normally a good combination, but when this happens corrosion will occur. Eventually the resulting reactions transform the iron into a mixture of water and iron oxides which can seriously damage the metal, leaving it extremely unstable. When rust occurs on machinery and in bearings used in the food and beverage industry it can be particularly harmful as not only can it damage equipment but it can also contaminate the food being prepared. There are tight guidelines on health, safety and hygiene in the food and beverage industry and if rust has compromised the effectiveness and safety of bearings in the machinery then this could injure people working in factories as it could cause major faults with the machinery. Also, if problems such as rust actually contaminate the food and drinks being produced then this could be hazardous to consumers if ingested and it could mean that the manufacturers face serious legal problems.

High standards of hygiene are vital in the food and drinks industry which means that bearings must be able to stand up to regular cleaning with water and chemicals which may contain acids and alkalis which can cause corrosion in metal over time. The bearing industry is continually creating new ways to combat the effects of water and chemicals on metals to ensure machines run as efficiently as possible without compromising the hygiene of the machinery and the factory. For example, one food and drinks company was losing around 307,000 Euros a year due to water breaching the bearings on a pumping system. Once the water had infiltrated the bearings, sugar crystals built up on the bearings causing even more damage. NSK Molded-Oil bearings were used to replace the existing bearings which helped to increase the manufacturer’s production capacity as the machines were far more reliable thanks to the NSK bearings. The NSK Molded-Oil bearings were manufactured specifically to withstand corrosive environments so they provide an ideal solution for machinery in the food and beverage industry.

Another bearing manufacturer which specialises in bearings suitable for this industry is SKF which produces bearings that meet the requirements outlined by ISO 22000 food safety standard. For example, their innovative bearing manufacturing has produced dry lubrication systems for bottle conveyors which greatly reduces water usage, minimises corrosion and increases hygiene levels. SKF produce Food Line Y-bearing units which are maintenance free and are specifically designed for, “the wet, humid, contaminating environments of the food and beverage processing industry.” These bearings are typically used on a variety of machines in the industry including conveyors, brush washers, sorters, wash down areas and much more.

To ensure your food and drink manufacturing plant runs as smoothly as possible invest in professional bearings which are built specifically for machines in your industry. Always purchase your bearings from an authorised bearing supplier so you know that the bearings you choose are safe and right for the job.