World First Offshore Wind Power Test Site Fitted with LYC Bearings

Axle Technology's products have achieved the world's first high-power offshore wind turbine prototype test site application.

On October 15th, a reporter from Luoyang Daily Media learned from LYC that its main shaft bearing products were recently deployed at the Xinghua Bay Offshore Wind Farm in Fuqing, the world's first high-power offshore wind turbine prototype test site. This marks another major breakthrough in my country's domestic substitution of core components for wind turbine equipment.

The first phase of the Xinghua Bay Offshore Wind Farm in Fuqing has a total installed capacity of 77.4MW and features 14 turbines from eight renowned domestic and international wind turbine manufacturers. It is known as the "Olympic Games" of offshore wind turbines. Axis Research Technology supplied two main shaft bearings, FD-304/2160Y and FD-305/2300X3/P5, for use primarily on the Phase I project's Y14 prototype unit, marking the industry's first domestically produced retrofit of main shaft bearings of this type.

The main shaft bearing is a core component of the wind turbine, fulfilling the crucial role of absorbing impeller aerodynamic loads and transmitting power. Known as the "heart" of the wind turbine, Axis Research Technology collaborated with the main equipment manufacturer and the client to carefully develop a localized plan for the main shaft bearings, taking into account the turbine's structural characteristics, load conditions, and other parameters. This plan involved comprehensive analysis and optimization of product design and development, material heat treatment, precision manufacturing processes, surface treatment technology, and quality process control.

In practical implementation, Axis Research Technology employed innovative forward design techniques and advanced simulation software to iteratively optimize the bearing's roller profile, rib structure, and mounting clearance. The contact angles of the bearings in the upwind and downwind directions were matched, effectively enhancing the bearing's load capacity. The rings and rolling elements of this batch of products were manufactured using G20Cr2Ni4A electroslag remelted carburized steel, which exhibits excellent fatigue and impact resistance. WC/C surface treatment technology was applied to the rolling element processing, further enhancing the bearing's load capacity and reliability. Furthermore, Axis Research Technology implemented intelligent control in key bearing processing steps, ensuring product consistency and stability, and ensuring that the performance indicators of the main shaft bearings meet the harsh operating conditions of offshore wind power.

In recent years, Axis Research Technology has actively led the advancement of wind turbine bearing technology, successfully developing the first domestically produced 8MW full-series gearbox bearings, the first domestically produced 7MW, 10MW, and 18MW TRB wind turbine main shaft bearings, and supplying main shaft bearings and gearbox bearings for the world's largest 26MW offshore wind turbine. The company has also achieved mass production of main shaft bearings and gearbox bearings for 10MW wind turbines.

"The completion of the localization of main shaft bearings demonstrates our progress in seizing the leading position in the international market and our fruitful achievements in promoting technological innovation and implementing domestic substitution," said Fan Yuqing, General Manager of Axis Research Technology.

Going forward, Axis Research Technology will continue to adhere to the strategy of "Forging Axis Research's Strengths to Serving National Needs," continuously increasing investment in wind turbine bearing R&D and industrialization, promoting in-depth transformation and upgrading of the industry, striving to develop new-quality productivity, and further contributing to the high-quality development of my country's wind power industry.