Brammer shows us what's in the box at the MMS 2017

This year, as expected, there was a clear central focus which revolved around digitalisation and the huge buzz word of Industry 4.0, which every exhibiting company had an opinion on.

One particular company that caught my eye however was Brammer and the level of detail the company wanted to share with its customers and potential customers on how it can help them with three things:

• Maximising up-time
• Reducing down-time
• Reducing costs

For the Manufacturing Management Show showing innovative solutions that can primarily deliver on cost savings was the stand out message from Brammer, and it demonstrated this through its range of bearings.

Brammer believe that by sourcing the right quality bearing solution from an authorised distributor manufacturers can ensure performance optimisation.

Dean Askew, Head of Category Bearings at Brammer gave a talk at the show, in which he stated: “Bearings are at the heart of every machine, and therefore their lifetimes need to be maximised to gain profit. 80-90% of all bearings’ lifetimes finish before they should.”

Askew went on to explain that this could be for a number of different reasons including:

• Incorrect fitting
• Inadequate or too much lubrication
• Ingress of contamination
• Fatigue – poor machine service

Take for example the Timken Solid Block housed unit, which is designed with the end user in mind. The SKF extreme temperature bearing from Brammer is another example that lubricates itself and therefore is proved to be environmentally friendly with reduced grease consumption.

Finally Askew talked about the NSK moulded oil bearing, which is designed specifically for the food sector as it is important that the correct grease is used to avoid contaminating the food. Brammer worked with NSK to produce a bearing for a vegetable processing application which previously had only been lasting a month, and now has a lifetime of 12 months.

In addition there was a tool demonstration vehicle from Brammer and partner company, Buck & Hickman, showcasing Roebuck hand tools to help you get the right tools to reduce your down-time, and additionally helping you get to grips with future maintenance technologies.

However, the innovation that caught my eye the most was the product sample case Brammer was using to help demonstrate the range of mechanical power transmission products and solutions available.

The Mechanical Power Transmission sample case includes 12 carefully selected products to showcase the latest material and design developments. The case also includes product information cards (attached below) which summarise the key features and benefits of the products, and additionally Brammer have included case studies to provide key talking points for selling the technology.

The Brammer sales teams plan to use the case to talk to customers about product innovations from leading Mechanical Power Transmission suppliers on how the case can be used in the field, and to encourage customers to swap their current product procurement.

The items in the case will include, Renold Synergy, Renold Standard, Optibelt Omega HP, Optibelt Red Power 3, Timken Quick-Flex, Renold Roll-Ring, Gates Poly Chain, Gates Quad-Power, Tsubaki Neptune, Tsubaki GT4 Winner and Tsubaki Lambda.

Brammer believe that sourcing the right quality Mechanical Power Transmission product is vitally important to ensure optimum performance and trouble-free operation on production equipment.

Mechanical Power Transmission technology has advanced a lot over the past few years, and with Brammer’s new sample case, they will ensure that the right knowledge, support and options are given to customers.

Brammer’s Mechanical Power Transmission range has the largest and most comprehensive range in the UK. And most importantly includes preventative maintenance programmes to reduce down-time.

Malcom Watson, who looks after the Product Management Development in the UK for Brammer took the time at the Manufacturing Management Show to explain to me that Mechanical Power Transmission products are used in absolutely everything - they are even in domestic use.

He was keen to make companies more aware of new innovations, instead of just re-ordering the same old products they have been using for years. By swapping products customers can increase their production up-time and cost savings in the long-run.

The sample case from Brammer is an innovation which sees competing brands in the same box, which Watson said you will not find anywhere else in this world.

Field trials for the sample case have taken place, and the feedback so far has all be positive. Watson added, that with all the different innovations in the market place it is so handy to have them all together in one box in front of you!