NKE Austria Received EUR 1.6 Million Gearbox Order

Bearing manufacturer NKE Austria has received two orders for bearings for the gearboxes of wind turbines. Two German gearbox manufacturers awarded the contracts worth a total of over EUR 1.6 million. Comprehensive technical advice and excellent cost-effectiveness were the factors that prompted the gearbox manufacturers to chose NKE. We work closely with our customers: from cost calculation through certification to product development, our customers can count on our expertise and flexible, unbureaucratic cooperation', explains Heimo Ebner, Managing Director of NKE. The wind energy sector is of strategic importance for us: in 2005 the total added value of Germany's wind turbine sector increased by 28%'. Roller bearings for wind turbines present a special challenge for bearing manufacturers. The operating conditions inside the plants are complex and demanding on components, yet the bearings must work efficiently and reliably. High quality and long lifespan are vital to prevent failures and the resulting downtime and costs of repairs or replacements. The bearings from NKE used in the turbine gearboxes have outside diameters of up to 820mm. The bearing types used include radial ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, cylindrical roller bearings with full-complement needle roller sets, self-aligning roller thrust bearings, tapered roller bearings and custom-tapered roller bearings.