Wind Power

The wind power industry faces significant pressure to reduce maintenance costs whilst 

improving the design, performance and reliability of wind turbines. As turbines often 

operate in harsh conditions—in cold climates or remote areas—their performance and 

reliability are put to the test. Furthermore, issues such as high maintenance costs and 

long lead times for replacement parts can impact their competitive advantage in terms 

of power generation; therefore, the use of reliable components is crucial.

Bearings specifically designed for wind turbines must offer high reliability. This is because 

such bearings are engineered to ensure the turbine operates for 20 years, and because 

components are difficult to replace in the event of a failure. Consequently, bearing 

manufacturers must possess advanced computational analysis capabilities, as well as expertise 

in materials and heat treatment; in some cases, they must also master the techniques for 

testing and evaluating large-scale physical bearings. The main shaft configuration of a wind 

turbine forms part of a gear-driven, semi-direct drive or direct drive design. Regardless of 

the configuration adopted, it must be capable of withstanding both axial and radial loads 

whilst operating under constantly changing and harsh conditions. We offer suitable products 

for a wide range of configurations and turbine designs.