Ball bearing

radialstainless steelfor pump

Overview
NTN Corporation (NTN) is advancing validation efforts toward the commercialization of its Sensor Integrated Bearing “Talking Bearing™”, which enables the bearing itself to communicate equipment conditions. Talking Bearing™ provides real-time visualization of equipment conditions while maintaining the same dimensions as a standard bearing, enabling early detection of abnormalities and improved maintenance efficiency. Evaluations have been carried out with manufacturers, plant operators, and infrastructure maintenance providers to validate effectiveness and usability, and NTN is working toward early commercialization.

Background and purpose
Manufacturing sites are facing labor shortages and a decline in experienced technicians while demand for stable equipment operation and efficient maintenance is growing. NTN developed Talking Bearing™ to expand the application of equipment diagnostic and predictive maintenance technologies previously developed, enabling advanced condition monitoring simply by replacing existing bearings without major equipment modifications.

Product concept and benefits

• Sensor integrated bearing incorporating vibration, temperature, and rotational speed sensors, a generator, and wireless communication devices inside the bearing
• Same external dimensions as standard bearings; no wiring required for power or communications, enabling introduction without equipment design changes or major modifications
• Real-time acquisition of vibration and temperature data from inside the bearing and from equipment to identify signs of abnormality at an early stage
• Contributes to reduced risk of equipment downtime, improved maintenance efficiency, and labor savings

Development progress and improvements
Since announcing development in 2022, NTN has refined the product based on customer evaluations and feedback: expanding supported bearing sizes (including smaller sizes), improving heat resistance, enhancing communication functions, developing dedicated devices for data collection and wireless relay suitable for manufacturing environments, and strengthening data visualization and utilization capabilities while optimizing functionality for actual equipment operation.

Field evaluations and results
Test marketing and evaluations have been conducted for motors, pumps, fans, and gearboxes. Customers reported that the product can be easily applied to existing equipment and simplifies acquisition and utilization of condition monitoring data. NTN confirmed examples where overhaul intervals were extended to more than twice their previous length and annual maintenance costs were reduced to less than half at some customers. NTN will continue evaluations across broader equipment types and operating environments to advance validation toward practical implementation.

Key features (summary)
1. Easy Installation on Existing Equipment

• Enables condition monitoring simply by replacing a standard bearing
• No equipment modifications or wiring required

2. High-Precision Sensing of Equipment Conditions from Inside the Bearing

• Real-time acquisition of vibration and temperature data
• Early detection of abnormal conditions, helping reduce the risk of equipment downtime

3. Enhanced Functions and Performance for Commercialization

• Expanded supported bearing size range (bearing outside diameters from 90 mm to 160 mm)
• Improved heat resistance (operable at temperatures up to 100°C)
• Optimized data acquisition and communication functions, dedicated devices for data collection and wireless relay, and enhanced monitoring system capabilities including simultaneous monitoring of multiple machines and remote monitoring

Specifications / technical details

• Product name / model: Talking Bearing™
• Manufacturer / brand: NTN Corporation
• Sensors integrated: vibration sensor, temperature sensor, rotational speed sensor
• Power and communications: internal generator and wireless communication devices; no external wiring required
• Installation: direct replacement of standard bearings without major equipment modification
• Supported bearing outside diameter range (commercialized range noted): 90 mm to 160 mm
• Operating temperature capability: up to 100°C
• Target equipment evaluated: motors, pumps, fans, gearboxes
• System features: dedicated data collection and wireless relay devices for manufacturing environments; data visualization and utilization functions; capability for simultaneous multi-machine and remote monitoring
• Reported field benefits: extended overhaul intervals (example: >2×) and reduced annual maintenance costs (example: <50% at some customers) based on evaluations