Milestones evolution of our main bearings

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Ahead of its time

First slewing bearings from thyssenkrupp rothe erde for wind industry

The first three-row roller bearings from thyssenkrupp rothe erde are installed as pitch bearings in the KaMeWa 2MW. The innovative blade adjustment using three-row roller bearings in 1981 is a major highlight: the 72-metre-long rotor and 2 MW of power will open up new dimensions in wind energy. The pitch bearing is designed for a service life of 30 years.

Even then, the dimensions of the bearing at that time were comparable to the current dimensions.

First main bearing for wind turbines

For the first time, three-row roller bearings from thyssenkrupp rothe erde are being used as a main bearing, a so-called single momentum rotor bearing, in a pioneering project for the Husum shipyard. The special feature here is that only one main bearing has to absorb all the forces and moments, thus realising a compact drive train.

First pitch bearing

Manufactured in series: For the Westbury Windfarm in the UK, rothe erde® three-row roller bearings are being installed as pitch bearings for the first time in series production.
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First slewing bearings for offshore wind turbines

At the end of the 20th century, wind turbines are built offshore: with Vestas as the first in Denmark. From now on, the topic of corrosion protection plays an important role, because strong, constant wind, the salty sea air, temperature fluctuations and wave movements demand a lot from the bearings. thyssenkrupp rothe erde supplies pitch bearings that withstand all the forces of nature and are designed for the service life of the wind turbines.

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First single momentum rotor bearing with inductive slip-free hardening

With the first induction hardened full-surface single momentum rotor bearing, thyssenkrupp rothe erde has created a true classic that is still in great demand among plant manufacturers and operators 20 years later. The longevity of the main bearings is immensely improved by the completely circumferential hardening layer.

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Inauguration of the new R&D hall

In 2015 thyssenkrupp rothe erde opens the world's largest research and development centre for slewing bearings in Lippstadt. The Research & Development hall contains 3,000 m² of advanced test stands where the company's own calculation tools can be validated and new developments tested. The hall enables tests on original constructions and is equipped with test stands for all relevant components and operating materials. In addition, thyssenkrupp rothe erde is expanding its cooperation with universities and external research institutes. This development centre is one of the first of its kind in the world.

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Start of the pitch bearing test rig

thyssenkrupp rothe erde is further expanding its research and development centre for wind power components: in Erwitte, near the plant in Lippstadt, a new test rig for pitch and main bearings is being commissioned. On an area of 7,500 square metres, bearings for turbines with an output of more than ten megawatts can be tested and further developed under real conditions.

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> 2.000 offshore main bearings

In 2020, the 2,000th rothe erde® Offshore MMW main bearing was manufactured. These are the largest series-produced main bearings with an outer diameter of 4 m and a design for up to 8 MW of power. The main bearings are innovatively hardened by inductive full-surface hardening. rothe erde® main bearings help to supply environmentally friendly energy to at least 10 million households annually.