Large bearings are used in wind turbines.
Before installation, these bearings must be heated so they can expand.
In one project, Mingyang Wind Power needed to install several large bearings.
They wanted a faster and more stable way to complete this work.
Working Conditions
The bearings in this project had the following features:
- Diameter: about 800–1200 mm
- Weight: several hundred kilograms
- Type: rolling bearing
- Installation: interference fit
Because of the large size, heating must be even and well controlled.
Situation Before Improvement
At first, the customer used a traditional heating method.
During operation, they found several issues:
- Heating took a long time, usually over 2 hours
- The temperature was not the same in all areas
- It was hard to control the final temperature
- The result depended too much on worker experience
In some cases, the bearing did not expand enough.
So they had to heat it again, which delayed the work.
Decision to Change
To solve these problems, the customer started looking for a better method.
They compared different options and finally chose WTR.
Main reasons:
- Suitable for large bearings
- More even heating
- Easier to control
- Quick technical support
Solution Applied
WTR provided an induction heating solution based on the real working conditions.
This solution made the process more stable:
- The bearing was heated evenly
- The temperature increased in a controlled way
- The system was easy to operate
- Demagnetization was done automatically after heating
Now, the same process can be repeated every time without large differences.
Change After Using WTR
After using the new system, the working process improved clearly:
|
Item |
Previous Method |
WTR Solution |
|
Heating Time |
2–3 hours |
35–50 minutes |
|
Temperature Control |
Difficult |
Stable |
|
Heating Result |
Uneven |
Even |
|
Operation |
Manual judgment |
Simple control |
|
Process Stability |
Low |
High |
Final Outcome
With the new heating method:
- Installation time was reduced
- The process became more stable
- Bearings were heated safely
- Work efficiency increased
After this project, the customer used the same solution in other wind turbine installations.
This case shows that for large wind turbine bearings:
- Heating must be even
- Temperature must be controlled
- The process should be stable and repeatable
A suitable heating method can improve both safety and efficiency.
Contact
If you are working on wind turbine projects and have similar needs:
WTR can help you find a suitable solution.
- Send your bearing size
- Share your working conditions
- Get a simple and reliable heating plan