Schaeffler to Exhibit Game-changing Asymmetric Main Shaft Bearing and Breakthrough WiPro(M) Portable Condition Monitoring Solution at WINDPOWER 2015 in Orlando, Fla.


FORT MILL, S.C. - Schaeffler will showcase a broad array of product and service solutions for wind turbine applications at the 2015 American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition held May 18-21 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The WINDPOWER annual conference and exhibition is the premier trade show in the United States for wind energy professionals to generate actionable ideas for expanding the wind energy industry through technology and collaboration.



Visitors to booth #2122 can meet with Schaeffler's team of wind industry experts and learn about Schaeffler's expansive portfolio of solutions for the wind industry, including the game-changing asymmetric bearing for main shaft bearings in wind turbines, as well as WiPro(M), a genuine breakthrough in condition monitoring.



Specifically developed to address the common causes of main bearing failures in wind turbines as observed through extensive study of issues faced by wind farm operators, Schaeffler's new asymmetric main shaft bearing offers improved axial stiffness for even higher axial load-carrying capacity. This is intended to ensure reduced vibrations within the wind turbine's drivetrain, less downtime, and significantly reduced overall maintenance, repair and overhaul costs for wind farm owner/operators.



Other features of the asymmetric bearing include rollers coated with Schaeffler's proprietary Triondur© C coating to protect against micropitting damage, a two-piece cage design to accommodate and adjust to uneven roller speeds, a specially coated inner ring to protect the shaft against friction corrosion, plus special design features that make bearing mounting as pain-free as possible for the installer.



In the words of Schaeffler Industry Manager Ryan Greenfield, "Our new asymmetric bearing takes into account every potential bearing failure mode that we have seen through our extensive observations in the field. We feel that this bearing may very well be the 'silver bullet' for solving the main bearing problems in the aftermarket."



WiPro(M) from Schaeffler is the wind industry's first truly cost-effective diagnostic tool for analyzing the performance of wind turbine components such as motors, gearboxes and generators. Combining the best features of permanently mounted continuous monitors with the portability of handheld monitoring devices, WiPro(M) is a breakthrough innovation that is specifically designed to provide medium-term, fully automated condition monitoring information for wind farms.



WiPro(M) eliminates the high costs associated with installing, operating and maintaining permanently mounted vibration-based systems, while providing a superior alternative to traditional, manually operated walk-around monitoring systems that typically lack the robustness, connectivity and automated features required for unattended monitoring.



Moreover, WiPro(M) offers all of the performance benefits of an expensive online monitoring system - tucked neatly inside a rugged, compact carrying case that is easily moved between towers.



About Schaeffler

The Schaeffler Group is a leading global integrated automotive and industrial supplier whose name is synonymous with the highest quality, outstanding technology and strong innovative ability. With an array of high-precision components and systems for engine, transmission and chassis applications as well as rolling and plain bearing solutions for a broad spectrum of industrial applications, the Schaeffler Group makes a decisive contribution toward advancing the concept of "mobility for tomorrow". In 2014, the company generated sales of approximately 12.1 billion euros. With more than 82,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of Europe's largest technology companies in family ownership. It offers a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research development facilities and sales companies at approximately 170 locations in 49 countries.



About AWEA

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is the national trade association for the U.S. wind industry - the country's fastest growing energy industry. With thousands of wind industry members and wind policy advocates, AWEA promotes wind energy as a clean source of electricity for American consumers.



SOURCE Schaeffler



CONTACT: Lynn Kier, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Schaeffler Group USA Inc, 308 Springhill Farm Rd., Fort Mill, SC 29715., Tel. (803) 578-2929, lynn.kier@schaeffler.com

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