SL18 Series Bearings: Engineered for the Demands of Wind Energy
In the wind energy sector, bearing failure is not an option. Unplanned downtime leads to significant energy loss and high maintenance costs. Our SL18 series bearings are specifically designed and manufactured to meet the rigorous challenges of wind turbine operations. They deliver exceptional durability, stable performance under variable and complex loads, and an extended service lifethat helps you achieve a lower total cost of ownership and a higher return on investment.
Key Features & Advantages of the SL18 Series:
- Superior Material & Heat Treatment: Forged from ultra-clean, high-carbon chromium bearing steel and subjected to a carefully controlled carburizing or induction hardening process. This results in a tough, impact-resistant core and a hard, wear-resistant surface, providing optimal resistance to fatigue and premature failure.
- Optimized Internal Geometry: The raceway and rolling element design are precision-engineered to ensure even load distribution and minimize stress concentrations, a critical factor for handling the unpredictable loads encountered in wind applications.
- Advanced Sealing Solutions: Integrated with multi-layer, high-performance seal configurations (e.g., rubber seals with steel reinforcements) to effectively prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, and other contaminants, while retaining lubricant for long-term protection in harsh environments.
- Pre-Lubrication & Serviceability: Greased with high-quality, wind-turbine-specific lubricants during assembly. Designed for ease of re-lubrication in the field, helping to extend maintenance intervals and ensure consistent performance.
Primary Applications in Wind Turbines:
- Yaw Systems: Our bearings are engineered to deliver smooth and reliable rotation in yaw systems, which is crucial for maintaining precise alignment of the nacelle with the wind direction. They are built to withstand substantial static and dynamic loads, including strong wind gusts, ensuring stable positioning and optimal energy capture while minimizing wear over the turbine’s operational lifetime.
- Pitch Systems: In pitch control mechanisms, our bearings enable the precise and dependable angular adjustment of rotor blades. This precise movement is vital for regulating power output under varying wind conditions and for executing safety functions like aerodynamic braking. The high reliability of our bearings in this application directly contributes to both the efficiency and the operational safety of the entire turbine.
- Generators and Drivetrain Auxiliaries: For generators and other critical auxiliary equipment within the drivetrain, our bearings provide the high reliability and extended service life required in these demanding applications. Their robust construction and consistent performance help ensure the continuous operation of these essential subsystems, thereby supporting overall turbine availability and reducing the need for unplanned maintenance.
Why choose us?
- Full Material Traceability: Each SL18 series bearing is supplied with complete documentation that provides full traceability from raw material to finished product. This includes material certificates, heat treatment records, and manufacturing process data, ensuring total transparency and simplifying quality control and certification processes for our customers.
- Comprehensive Non-Destructive Testing: Every bearing undergoes a rigorous 100% non-destructive testing (NDT) protocol. This includes advanced ultrasonic testing to detect subsurface imperfections and fluorescent magnetic particle inspection to reveal surface defects, providing an unconditional guarantee of structural integrity and freedom from critical flaws before installation.
- Verified Performance & Compliance: Our bearings are designed and manufactured to meet stringent international standards (ISO, DIN). Their performance is validated through extensive computer simulations (FEA) and rigorous endurance testing under simulated operational conditions, ensuring they deliver reliable, predictable performance and long-term durability in the field.
