BNL’s customers are benefiting from engineered polymer and composite bearing technology for paper handling and paper-path applications, where low friction, smooth operation and reliable performance are critical.

Paper-path mechanisms, including those used in office equipment, ATMs and mail handling, require bearings to operate and consistently and trouble free for years, often at high speeds and without lubrication that contaminate the paper.

BNL’s experience in designing bearings for these applications demonstrates how bearing design, material selection and integration can be used to address these challenges while also reducing component count and simplifying assembly.

One recent example is a pinch roller pulley bearing developed for a manufacturer for a mail-handling application. BNL was asked to create a low-friction solution that would reduce cost, assembly and maintenance time. The solution integrates the bearing, together with the pulley form and axles, eliminating multiple components.

The application required the roller to operate without grease because lubrication could increase friction and potentially mark the paper. BNL moulded the solution in acetal, a lightweight and naturally lubricated material, to provide low torque without the need for grease. A double-row bearing design maintained the required load-handling capability while reducing torque.

BNL has also developed scanner pulley bearings for photocopiers, replacing conventional bush solutions with integrated bearing designs. In one application, the change reduced component costs and enabled the machine to operate at higher speeds without compromising stability.

In another scanner application, BNL combined the pulley function with integrated mounting features, using POM to create a lightweight, grease-free bearing with very low torque compared with a steel bearing. The design was engineered for the stability required to maintain high-quality printing, with a double-row option providing additional load capability.

Mark Goldsmith, Managing Director of BNL, said: “Paper-path applications are a good example of where the right bearing design can make a significant difference to the overall performance of a machine. By considering the material, bearing configuration and the functions that can be integrated into the component, we can develop solutions that reduce friction and component count while improving assembly and reliability.”

 BNL’s teardown service provides engineers with an opportunity to examine an existing component or assembly, understand how it operates and help us work collaboratively to identify opportunities for improved performance, cost or integration.

BNL’s standard bearing designs serve as a starting point for application development, with features including pulley forms, gear teeth, snap-fits, axles, and other application-specific functions that can be integrated into the design.

For engineers looking to reduce friction, eliminate lubrication, simplify assembly, or improve the performance of paper-path mechanisms, BNL can develop polymer and composite bearing solutions to meet the application’s specific requirements.