There has been a lot of traction on BS VI and eventual march towards futuristic electric technology. Both these technologies will need bearings to reduce friction. NBC Bearings, a brand of National Engineering Industries Ltd. (NEIL), part of the CK Birla Group, showcased capabilities in long life bearings, low friction bearings and special coatings, for electric vehicles at its booth at the Auto Expo Components show. “We have some hybrid bearings so that the electric current doesn’t pass through the bearings for EVs. Within the regular types of bearings, we are showcasing a few power dense bearings which give longer life as the demand right now towards value added services. For BS-VI vehicles we have a low torque solution which reduces the torque of the component in which the bearing is put, eventually reducing the fuel consumption suiting the emission requirement”, informed Mr. Rohit Saboo, President and CEO, NEIL.
The company also had on display wheel-hub solutions, boasting of a compact technology. According to Mr. Saboo: “Wheel-hub solutions occupy 80 per cent of the market in the US. Currently we are the only one supplying this technology in India for commercial vehicles. It is difficult for companies to change but we are finding some traction in the CV space. It is like a ‘fit and forget’ kind of wheel-hub solution and improves the life of the vehicle between services. Once the customer starts realizing the benefits of the product, the wheel-hub solution will really take over the Indian market.”
NEIL has also developed its own heat treatment and grain refinement technologies. “We are already working on several OEM demands, whether it is towards electric or the existing IC engines requirements. The products due to their acceptance will also find place, eventually in the aftermarket and whatever we produce will eventually be used even in aftermarket,” he informed. When asked if light-weighting or making products compact has an impact on the functionality of the product or adds complexity in terms of technology, he stated: “Light weighting is an integral part of our research DNA. Making systems more compact is one of the major drivers towards offering latest technological products in the CV segment, especially in the wheel bearing solution which results in higher performance and product optimization.”
NEIL has carved a niche for itself in the bearings space, with its highly popular NBC brand, not just in the Indian market but also globally as testified by the Deming Grand Prize 2015 the company received couple of years ago, that made it the only bearing-maker in the world to be recognized for highest implementation of TQM.