Mr. Rohit Saboo, President and CEO, National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEIL), which owns the NBC Bearings brand, talks to MOTORINDIA on the formidable research and development excellence of his company in bringing out next-generation bearings that are light weight and support low torque geometry, thereby enhancing the efficiency of vehicles.
Bearings are one of the fundamental structural elements that go into almost every industrial system with moving parts, automobiles included.
They are also one of the earliest engineering items invented by mankind, and may even predate the invention of the wheel! From time to time, their nature and type keeps on changing till date – the ancient Egyptians and early Romans used plain and ball bearings made of wood.
Leonardo La Vinci and Galileo described caged-roller bearings, and later the industrial era saw bearings play a pivotal role in allowing machines of various sizes to operate efficiently.
However common and simple they are, the technologies and engineering dynamics behind bearings are constantly changing. Although the trajectory remains largely the same since day one – how to better reduce friction and wear, while tackling overheat and premature failure of the bearing itself – precisely put, advancing towards better efficiency. Especially in automotive application where the renewed thrust on fuel efficiency and sustainable energy management is more pronounced than ever, bearings are again under limelight.
Asked what could be called as the ‘next-generation’ for automotive bearings, Mr. Saboo tried to place his answer in a thought framework. “Our R&D thinking works under the broader framework of fine-tuning bearing efficiencies, but the specific addressing are on reducing the weight of the products with improved friction-reduction and heat-management performances… it’s a continuum, wherein we constantly try to understand and anticipate the specific needs of bearing applications and technological trends catching up in the industry, so as to create relevant and innovative products that are efficient than before”.
He added that his company is researching towards developing low torque and low friction bearings that can withstand higher load and torque conditions in much smaller sizes, with reduced frame and casting mass. “We are closely working with leading OEMs in developing specific products that suit their unique needs”. NBC manufactures a wide variety and range of bearings for passenger vehicles, LCVs and HCVs, tractors, railways and other industrial applications. With a production capacity of 150 million bearings per year, the company boasts formidable R&D, designing, calibration and testing, and machine building infrastructure to cater to both the domestic and export requirements.
In general, NBC considers low-torque bearings and preset hub assemblies that utilize pre-adjusted bearings as flagship next-gen products for the new automotive era. Low torque bearing technology reduces friction by 15-20 per cent and contribute to fuel efficiency, engineered for transmission and wheel bearing application of two-wheelers, cars, trucks, tractors, and so on. “Various programs are underway in partnership with our clients, working towards extending this technology to other areas as well”, Mr. Rohit Saboo observed.
Pre-set hub assemblies, on the other hand, are developed specifically for heavy commercial vehicle applications. They utilize pre-adjusted bearings to facilitate proper installation, extend seal and bearing life and ease maintenance. They are serviceable and can be replaced (seals or bearings) as needed. These products offer the right balance of cost, performance and weight for different applications, while eliminating failures due to improper adjustments and risk of assembly damage, according to the manufacturer.
On the current market scenario for component suppliers, the CEO of NBC rejoiced that the current fiscal appears quite buoyant, thanks to increasing vehicle sales in the domestic market and good export potential for Indian manufacturers. “The competitiveness of Indian suppliers has greatly improved in the international arena due to advancements in quality and product reliability”, he said, while adding that NBC’s exports are very robust, more than the industry average, and that his global clients are quite upbeat about new products.