FAG Kugelfischer AG Presents Itself at HusumWind Tradeshow New Rolling Bearings and Services for the Wind Energy Industry

Together with its service subsidiary FAG Industrial Services (F'IS), the leading rolling bearing manufacturer FAG Kugelfischer AG is once again demonstrating its competence as a systems partner to the wind energy industry. Dr. Achim Weidmann, head of the FAG wind energy team, presented the company's latest highlights at a press interview. These include for instance tapered roller bearing units for the locating bearing arrangement of high-speed shafts in wind turbine gearboxes and solutions for the current insulation of generator bearings. F'IS expert Andreas K¨¹hl pointed to the specific competence inherent to the FAG WIPRO system. Short for wind turbine protection system, WIPRO is used for monitoring the condition of wind turbine components and was developed in cooperation with F'IS. In addition to these new offers, FAG is of course also showcasing those products that have been successfully positioned in the marketplace after last year's HusumWind. Double row tapered roller bearings, used as main rotor bearings in multi-MW wind turbines (single bearing concept), or the direct support concept for planetary wheels in modern wind turbines have to be mentioned in this context. Tapered roller bearing units for locating bearing arrangement of high-speed shafts in wind turbine gearboxes FAG offers its customers ready-to-mount tapered roller bearing units for high-speed gear shafts. These bearings are ideally suited to the specific application requirements. Preload or clearance is adjusted by means of special spacers. The different contact angles of the two bearing series positively affect the load distribution and lead to reduced friction. The units permit lean logistics as well as quick and error-free mounting. Altogether these factors add to increased operational reliability and economic efficiency. Solutions for current-insulated generator bearings FAG offers an extensive selection of current-insulated bearings for the entire range of generators used in wind turbines. Both ball and roller bearings are available in a current-insulated version, depending on the needs of the customer. There is a choice between rolling bearing rings with ceramic coating or fully ceramic components. Condition monitoring of wind turbine components by means of FAG WIPRO (based on F'IS competence) For a long time FAG has promoted and supported the condition monitoring of wind turbine modules. In the process, the WIPRO monitoring system has been developed in close cooperation with its service subsidiary F'IS. WIPRO optimizes the monitoring and maintenance of modern wind turbines. In its activities FAG Kugelfischer relies on the complete range of resources and products available throughout the Schaeffler Group (INA, LuK and FAG) to offer its customers highly competent support. The dimensioning of bearings, for instance, is carried out with the help of the "Bearinx" calculation program developed by INA Schaeffler KG, which is a proven specialist in bearing arrangements for wind turbines and their development. Made up of the three sub-groups INA, FAG and LuK, the Schaeffler Group is one of the world's leading rolling bearing manufacturers and automotive suppliers. In 2002 some 54,000 employees worldwide generated sales of almost €7billion.