nbc logo (2)
Office address
National Engineering Industries Ltd.
Khatipura Road Jaipur – 302006 Rajasthan, India
Phone Number

Toll Free: 1800 3000 6222
Telephone: +91 141 222 3221
Fax: +91 141 222 1926, 222 2259
CIN: U29130WB1946PLC013643

NBC Bearings

Founded in 1946, National Engineering Industries Ltd (NEI) is India’s leading bearings manufacturer and exporter, renowned for excellence in quality and delivery.

Moble logo (1)

Traction Motor Suspension Unit (MSU) Bearings

Motor Suspension Unit Bearings: Elevating Rail Transportation

Rail transportation is the undisputed backbone of modern mobility, and it relies on intricate components working seamlessly to ensure efficient and reliable operation. One such critical element within locomotives is the Traction Motor Suspension Unit (MSU) Bearings. These bearings play a vital role in supporting and aligning the traction motors in locomotives, facilitating the transmission of power to the wheels while ensuring stability and precise alignment.

What are Motor Suspension Unit Bearings?

In the heart of a locomotive, Traction Motor Suspension Unit (MSU) Bearings are engineered to provide indispensable support to the traction motor, a pivotal component responsible for propelling the train forward. Its strategic placement and design ensures optimal alignment, enabling the traction motor to perform its function with precision and reliability.

The MSU comprises a sophisticated arrangement of components meticulously crafted to withstand the rigors of rail travel.

  • Structural Components: The MSU comprises bearings, housing, and related components designed to withstand the dynamic forces and vibrations experienced during rail travel.
  • Mounting Configuration: MSU bearings are strategically mounted to help the train maintain optimal alignment of its traction motor. This ensures smooth and efficient power transmission.

Let us further breakdown the basics of the Traction Motor Suspension Unit:

  • Load Handling: These MSU bearings are engineered to handle both radial and axial loads, accommodating impact generated during acceleration, braking, and changes in direction.
  • Alignment Precision: Precision in the elementary design of these bearings deliver accurate alignment of the traction motor, eliminate misalignment issues, and therefore operate with maximum efficiency, minimizing wear and maximizing performance.

Advancements in Traction Motor Suspension Units

The evolution of these locomotive bearings includes innovations in materials used, sealing mechanisms, and lubrication systems. These are the three aspects that improve the performance of the locomotive.

  • Material Innovations: Advanced materials, including high-performance alloys and polymers, increase durability to consistently perform under heavy operational loads.
  • Weight Reduction: MSU bearings now come with lighter alloys, which directly propels the speed of the locomotive, leading to operating perfection despite demanding circumstances.
  • Sealing and Lubrication: Improved sealing mechanisms and lubrication systems have contributed towards enhancing the longevity and reliability of MSU bearings, with a very low maintenance product.

Impact of MSU Bearings on Rail Transportation:

Beyond the intricate machinery, these bearings contribute significantly to the efficiency, safety, and environmental considerations of rail travel.

  • Efficiency Enhancement: Properly functioning MSU bearings contribute to the overall efficiency of rail transportation by ensuring smooth and reliable power transmission.
  • Reduced Downtime: Advanced MSU bearings with improved durability and reduced maintenance needs contribute to decreased downtime and increased operational availability.
  • Enhanced Safety: The precise alignment of locomotives facilitated by MSU bearings enhances the safety of rail travel by minimizing wear, reducing the risk of malfunctions, and ensuring stable performance.
  • Environmental Considerations: Weight reduction in MSU bearings translates to improved fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact, making this a sustainable practice in rail transportation.

In conclusion, Traction Motor Suspension Unit (MSU) bearings serve as a critical element in the railways. Through continuous advancements and a focus on efficiency and safety, these bearings contribute towards a more reliable, sustainable, and effective mode of transportation.

FAQ's

What is the full form of MSU in locomotive?

MSU stands for Motor Suspension Unit in the context of locomotives. It refers to a crucial component that houses and supports the traction motor, providing suspension and stability to the motor assembly.

What are the parts of a traction motor?

The traction motor is a complex assembly with several integral parts:

  • Armature: The rotating part of the motor where electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy.
  • Field Winding: A coil or coils that produce a magnetic field, interacting with the armature to generate motion.
  • Commutator: A rotary switch that ensures a continuous flow of current to the armature.
  • Brushes: Conductive elements that maintain contact with the commutator, transferring electrical energy.
  • Bearings: Essential components that support the motor’s moving parts, ensuring smooth rotation.
  • Housing: The outer casing that encloses and protects the internal motor components from environmental factors.

Quick Finder Link

Find a Dealer

Find a Product

Bearing Finder

Click here

Bearing Life Calculator

Click here
Latest Articles Updated Daily

Insight And Trends

Follow our latest news and thoughts which focuses exclusively on insight, industry trends, tip news headlines.

Request more information

    Leadership quotes

    Discovering unique solutions to reimagine and reinvent technology from a futuristic perspective is part of NEI’s best practices. Taking pride in unleashing the potential of innovative minds through informal education, we encourage our employees to share their exclusive ideas on our Idea portal, and we host the ‘Idea Factory’ contest for budding engineers currently studying in different universities—fostering independence of thought.
    Rohit Saboo
    Rohit SabooPresident & CEO
    Renu is a seasoned HR leader with a proven track record of strategic-business partnering, culture-building and organizational transformation in leading companies, spread across key sectors of Logistics, MEP Services, Healthcare, Engineering and Manufacturing. For her thought leadership, Renu got nominated in Asia’s 100 Power Leaders HR in 2022 and ET Prime HR Leader of the Year in 2023. An alumna of IIT Roorkee, Renu is passionate about people & culture, DEI, Future of work, and CSR. Renu joined NBC in 2024 to lead the HR function and drive growth, culture and leadership across all levels.
    Renu Bohra
    Finance these days is not about record keeping, it is more about working alongside the business and drive strategy. The world is changing so rapidly and we are going through unprecedented situations. The key is to keep on top of it and learn. It is all about evolving, innovating and adapting to succeed in the business world. At NEI, we ensure that we listen to our stakeholders and adjust ourselves to meet the evolving needs.
    Gourav Chaturvedi
    Gourav ChaturvediCFO
    As a leading exporter and manufacturer of bearings, with the objective of reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency to lower GHG emissions and Carbon Footprint, we take a leap forward in leveraging opportunities to expedite the transfer and diffusion of environment-friendly and clean-energy technology.
    Rohit Saboo
    Rohit SabooPresident & CEO
    Our commitment to growing our customer base across five continents is unwavering. Through our subsidiary Kinex in Europe, we enhance our proximity to international clients. We prioritize investments in product quality, our workforce, and cutting-edge technology. With well-defined growth strategies, we aim to continually expand our offerings to meet the dynamic needs of the industry and our valued customers.
    Rajesh Premchandran
    Rajesh PremchandranCSMO
    The imprint of transformational leadership in our day-to-day operations in offering flexible solutions even amidst crisis stands out as one of NEI’s core strengths. Putting employees first on our list of priorities and working in harmonious alliance adds to our spirit of maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. We rejoice at keeping up a vision that guides change through inspiration as we make our way through the extended new normal.
    Rohit Saboo
    Rohit SabooPresident & CEO
    We are delving our feet into the aerospace and defence industries. We consider this as an excellent time to enter this segment, given the present focus is on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ which will lead to lower import dependency for the companies in these segments. We have been engaged with a number of aerospace businesses and have learnt that there is a lot of room for a local player to proactively work with them from concept to production.
    Dr. Lokesh Agrawal
    Dr. Lokesh AgrawalCTO
    Our nation is at the cusp of greatness , If India plays it's cards well , then this decade and the next one could belong to our nation , NEI leadership is fully geared to perform it's role in this transformation .
    Shailesh Patni
    Shailesh PatniCDS
    The ability to execute in rapidly evolving environment is set to become a decisive competitive differentiator for sustaining the profitable growth. To drive significant improvement in financial and operational metrics and to bring step change in productivity, flexibility and speed, rapid digitization through automation, advanced analytics, and machine learning is needed. Besides this, setting up resilient, risk-tolerant supply-chain and procurement structures along with re-skilling human capital with the skills and mindset the digital world requires, is the key to success
    Rajan Jain
    Rajan JainCOO
    Previous
    Next
    Dealers Network
    Image
    neisales@nbcbearings.in neiexport@nbcbearings.in
    Image
    1800 3000 6222 +91 1412223221
    Image
    National Engineering Industries Ltd. Khatipura Road Jaipur - 302006 Rajasthan, India

    Copyright © 2023 NEI Ltd. All rights reserved.
    Registered Office : 9/1, R. N. Mukherjee Road, Kolkata – 700 001. In case of any queries or grievances, please contact Mr.Tarun Kumar Kabra, Company Secretary.
    E-mail: neical@nbcbearings.in   Privacy Policy   Cookie Policy