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www.nskautomation.comNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONSENABLING AUTOMATION IN MOTION AND CONTROL

CONTENT› ACCUMULATED EXPERTISE – CORE TECHNOLOGIES4-5› SCOPE – INDUSTRIES AND APPLICATIONS6-7› INTEGRATION AT WORK – AUTOMATION EXAMPLES› OPTIMIZED SUPPORT28 - 1314 - 15

A GLOBAL PARTNER ANDSOLUTIONS PROVIDERAs a leading manufacturer of rolling bearings and lineartechnology components, NSK can be found on almost everycontinent – with production facilities, sales offices andtechnology centers – providing our customers with responsivedesign and decision-making, effective logistics and dedicatedlocal service.EuropeAsiaThe AmericasTHE NSK COMPANYNSK commenced operations as the first Japanesemanufacturer of rolling bearings in 1916. From theoutset, we have been continuously expanding andimproving not only our product portfolio but also ourrange of services for various industrial sectors. In thiscontext, we develop technologies in the fields of rollingbearings, linear systems, components for the automotiveindustry and mechatronic systems. Our research andproduction facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asiaare linked together in a global technology network.Here we concentrate not only on the development of newtechnologies, but also on the continuous optimization ofquality – at every process stage.OceaniaAfricaTHE AMERICASEUROPE / AFRICAASIA / OCEANIAManufacturingSites10945Sales Locations201582TechnologyCenters2310As of January 2019At the core of our research activities is the developmentof advanced material and lubricant technologies,simulation applications using a variety of analyticalsystems, and technological innovation in the field ofmechatronics.NSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS3

ACCUMULATED EXPERTISE IN MOTION & CONTROLCORE PRODUCTS / TECHNOLOGIESNSK’s accumulated expertise in bearing technology is no moreprofoundly evident than with our broad range of precisionmachine components, and our capabilities to integrate theseproducts into highly customized and customer-specific solutions.With a product lineup that includes linear guides, ball screws,actuators, robot modules, rotary indexers and support bearings,NSK employs cutting-edge friction control technology andprecision accuracy to supply products that ensure optimalmovement and positioning. In applications that present uniquechallenges with load capacities, high / low speeds, constrainedmovement and compact design requirements, NSK precisionmachine components consistently deliver reliable, smooth andprecise motion and control.4Pictured (from top left):››››››Linear GuidesBall ScrewsLinear ActuatorsDirect Drive MotorsRobot ModulesSupport BearingsNot Shown:› advanced material, coatings,seal and lubrication options

ENABLING TECHNOLOGY THROUGHINTEGRATIONBy partnering with NSK mechatronics experts to developintegrated product solutions, our customers can be a crucialstep ahead with accelerating product development andachieving higher levels of machine performance. Our advancedelectromechanical solutions drive machinery automation andaccuracy. Our collaboration and engagement from design todelivery drives project management and process efficiency.For NSK integration customers this translates into significantbenefits derived from our project partnership:With a pre-configured, pre-built and fullytested integrated motion system:› optimize system performance,space and life› accelerate product development› simplify procurement and expediteproduction› streamline - consolidate multiple components into single,customized part number› simplify - reduce design, test and installation time› support – dedicated collaboration and project management› systems - one-axis or complex assembly capabilities, builtto print or advanced design solutions for specific applicationrequirementsNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS5

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKBy definition, integration refers to NSK’s capabilities to combineour precision machine components – with or without electricalcontrol technology – to achieve a specific, repeatable motionand control function. By extension, our pre-configured andpre-built motion systems provide the opportunity to augmentmachine function and accuracy, improve reliability and increaseperformance in a vast array of industrial applications.Typical applications / functions for NSK integrated systemsinclude:› lifting› positioning / alignment / gimbaling› rotational platform / indexing table› telescoping slide mechanisms› throttling / controlled “small” motion› dispensing, mounting, pick and place› special environments - vacuum, clean, contaminated,corrosive6

INDUSTRIES SERVED› robotics› automotive assembly› medical - clinical chemistry› autonomous vehicles› electronics assembly› medical - lab automation› semiconductor› material handling› medical - scanning and› 3d printing› packaging› injection molding› general factory automationimaging› machine toolNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS7

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKSEMICONDUCTORCUSTOMER CHALLENGEA semiconductor OEM customer was seekingan original design solution and manufacturingpartner for a low-profile laser positioningassembly capable of lifting a heavy load with“small motion” in a compact space. Integratedsensors and stepper motors were a requirement,as was suitability for operation in a clean-roomenvironment.NSK SOLUTION› custom designed NSK linear guide and ball screw-based,motorized wedge lift linear actuator› specified to handle travel parameters, mounting interfaceand load carrying conditions› integrated limit and home switches› integrated payload pitch / roll adjustment features› execution of design validation for rigidity andrepeatability of assembled lift› quality testing of each assembled systemprior to shippingPictured: Wedge Lift - low profile, z-liftactuator for laser positioning8

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKMATERIAL HANDLINGCUSTOMER CHALLENGEAn automated distribution center required amulti-axis linear translation stage to movesupplies across the warehouse. In order tosignificantly increase the durability and life ofthe three-axis positioner, extruded aluminum isrequired to resist rust and corrosion. In additionto long travel life, high load capacity and easyinstallation were needed to minimize downtimewhen setting up the new system.NSK SOLUTION› a pre-configured NSK robot module forming XYZ stage,facilitating simplified assembly and installation› equipped with K1 lubrication units for maintenance-freeoperation as long as 5 years or 10,000 km travel› execution of design validation for loaded life, smooth travelperformance and repeatability of assembled system› domestic production and quality testing of each assembledXYZ system prior to shippingPictured: Multi-axis actuator systemintegrated into an extruded, aluminumhousing with flexible motor interface andmounting styleNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS9

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKMEDICAL: ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYCUSTOMER CHALLENGEAn OEM customer developing a next generationsyringe pump was seeking a compact linearmotion system with high accuracy, repeatabilityand reliability, to smoothly and quietly positionthe plunger for extremely precise fluid dispense.Previously, the customer had used lead screws - orsliding screws - which generate particles from thesliding motion.NSK SOLUTION› a motorized ball screw actuator (MBSA)› precision ground ball screw directly integrated into a NEMA17 stepper motor› space-saving design with the elimination of motor coupling› longer life compared to lead screw due to the higherefficiency, smoother operation, zero backlash and improvedrigidity of a precision ground ball screw› configurable encoder pre-assembled to motor› easy disconnect, simplifying field replacementPictured: Motorized ball screw actuator(MBSA)10

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKMEDICAL: CLINICAL CHEMISTRYCUSTOMER CHALLENGEA global manufacturer of diagnostic equipmentrequired a custom, fully tested and assembledXYZ platform with rotational positioning to allowcontinuous reagent processing. Extended lifetimeto ensure uninterrupted operations was essential,as was greater rigidity and smoothness overlead screw-based actuators. Specified travelrequirements, load conditions and envelopedimensions for their diagnostic equipment had tobe met.NSK SOLUTION› robust, NSK designed and assembled systemfeaturing 3 miniature monocarriers for XYZpositioning, along with sensor, sensor rail,combining brackets, motor brackets and steppermotors› super high resolution, direct drive Megatorquemotor to rotate the three-axis stage in numerousdiscrete locations within the platform› equipped with K1 lubrication units formaintenance-free operation for up to 5 years or10,000 km travel› design validation of rigidity andrepeatability of assembled system› quality testing of each assembled systemprior to shippingPictured: Multi-axis linear positionerwith rotational indexerNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS11

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKELECTRICAL ASSEMBLYCUSTOMER CHALLENGEAn electronic contract manufacturer (ECM)performing assembly and testing of electroniccircuit boards was looking for a complete solutionfor a motorized actuator that could perform highlyprecise positioning and lifting functions whileenduring 24/7 operation. Aside from high accuracy,sustainable performance reliability and longservice life were critical - the technology was beingadopted in manufacturing facilities worldwide.NSK SOLUTION› custom designed NSK motorized linear actuator› integral limit sensors and capabilities for hard stops› equipped with K1 lubrication units for maintenance-freeoperation for up to 5 years or 10,000 km travel› fast turnaround for design and prototyping› quality testing of each assembled actuator priorto shippingPictured: Motorized linearpositioner with limit sensors andhard stops12

INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATION AT WORKAUTOMOTIVE ASSEMBLYCUSTOMER CHALLENGEAn automotive OEM presented anot-so-surprising challenge for a transmissioncase assembly process - zero failure and zerodowntime. The requirement was to support anautomated nut runner system moving in X,Yor Z axis, tightening nuts individually within apredefined travel parameter set.NSK SOLUTION› three-axis NSK robot module designed with highstiffness /rigidity required to accommodate the heavy load ofthe customer’s nut runner process› precision, controlled motion for individual tightening ofthe nut to minimize deformation and oil leak from thetransmission case› efficient connection points for XYZ stages ensuredsimplified installation and minimal set-up time› equipped with K1 lubrication units for maintenance-freeoperation as long as 5 years or 10,000 km travel› execution of design validation for loaded life,rigidity and repeatability of assembledmulti-axis system› quality testing of each assembled XYZunit prior to shipping› zero failure rate performance of theassembled systemPictured: Multi-axis actuator system integrated intoan extruded, aluminum housing with flexible motorinterface and mounting styleNSK INTEGRATED SYSTEMS SOLUTIONS13