Case Study: NBC Bearings achieves 17% lower bearing torque with Hexagon Romax

NBC is making unitized wheel bearing more fuel efficient with Romax

NBC Bearings, a leading Indian bearings manufacturer and exporter, sought to design more fuel-efficient unitized wheel bearings to meet stringent automotive regulations and customer demands for reduced power loss. To tackle the engineering challenge of optimizing complex internal bearing microgeometry and preload under variable conditions, they partnered with Hexagon and utilized its Romax SPIN software and its Variability and Optimization (DOE) modules for analysis.

The solution implemented by Hexagon allowed NBC Bearings' engineers to run highly iterative, multi-factor analyses to isolate the optimal design parameters, dramatically reducing development time. Using Romax tools to visualize performance spread and conduct parametric studies, they optimized critical features like the cone flange contact to significantly reduce friction. The result was a new Low Torque Wheel End Bearing Series that achieved a marked 17 per cent reduction in bearing torque, closely matching the performance predicted by Hexagon's Romax Energy analysis software.

NBC Bearings

Anirudh Kaushik

Joint Manager - Application Engineering