A chicken processing plant had an overhead conveyor that was exposed to daily washdown. The customer was using stainless steel ball bearings with double contact seals, but water was still reaching the inside of the bearing. Due to this water ingress, the bearings were switched out on a regular 3-month cycle with much added expense and labour. The customer asked NSK to assess the issue. Since water could not be prevented from entering the bearing, NSK suggested using Molded-Oil. Molded-Oil is an oil impregnated resin that provides maintenance-free lubrication to the bearing and protection from water. Ever since Molded-Oil bearings were installed in this application, the cycle time for switching out the bearings was doubled to 6-months and may yet be extended further. The customer was so impressed with the performance of NSK's Molded-Oil bearings that they have now switched over all of their applications that are exposed to washdown.