Noboru Okabe

Title: Noboru Okabe: Innovator in Bearing Technology

Introduction

Noboru Okabe is a distinguished inventor based in Chiba, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of bearing technology, holding a total of three patents. His innovative designs focus on enhancing the performance and efficiency of linear guide systems and bearing alloys.

Latest Patents

One of Okabe's latest patents is for a novel linear guide plain bearing. This invention features a guide rail with rail-grooves formed on opposite side surfaces, and a slider with slider-ridges on its inner side surfaces. The slider is designed to straddle the guide rail, allowing for smooth sliding movement. Each guide-groove has a Gothic arch cross-sectional shape, while the slider-ridges have a circular arch shape. This design enables the slider to slide along the guide rail in an axial line contact condition. Additionally, a solid lubricant-containing resin coating on the slider-ridges effectively reduces sliding resistance and noise.

Another notable patent is for an aluminum base bearing alloy. This alloy is characterized by its excellent lubricating capability and fatigue resistance, making it particularly useful in automotive engines. The alloy consists of various elements, including lubricating elements like lead and tin, along with silicon and reinforcing elements such as copper and chromium. The production process involves preparing a raw material alloy powder mixture, compacting it into a billet, and extruding the billet at a high extrusion ratio.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Noboru Okabe has worked with reputable companies, including NDC Company Ltd. and Nissan Motor Company Limited. His experience in these organizations has contributed to his expertise in the development of advanced bearing technologies.

Collaborations

Okabe has collaborated with notable coworkers, including Masahito Fujita and Yoshihiro Maki. Their combined efforts have furthered innovations in the field of bearing technology.

Conclusion

Noboru Okabe's contributions to bearing technology through his patents and collaborations highlight his role as a key innovator in the industry. His work continues to influence advancements in engineering and manufacturing.