Vertical grinding machine from Starrag

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energy

Vertical grinding machine from Starrag: Ensuring final quality for Tianma Bearing

The Berthiez RVU vertical grinding machine strengthens the production of high-precision main shaft bearings for wind turbines

The establishment of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Tianma Bearing”) in 1987 coincided with the “golden age” in which the Chinese precision bearing industry was developing rapidly. With its persistent pursuit of technological innovation and strict control over product quality, Tianma Bearing has rapidly risen to become an important player in the global bearing industry.

Tianma Bearing is the only precision bearing manufacturer in the world that has its own steel plant, control the entire industrial value chain from raw materials to finished products and have successfully created its own brand, TMB bearings. The products are used in industries as important as wind energy generation, rail transport and vehicles powered by new energies. In the wind power industry, Tianma Bearing has shown particularly outstanding performance. As a leading company in the domestic market for precision bearings for wind turbines, Tianma Bearing also holds a large share of the global market, especially for azimuth and pitch bearings. But that’s not all – Tianma Bearing has also continuously expanded its own strengths in the wind energy sector and set its sights on success in other areas. In 2023, Tianma Bearing’s purchase of the Starrag Berthiez RVU 2300/220 vertical grinding machine was an important step towards entering into production of main shaft bearings for wind turbines.

Through its partnership with Starrag, Tianma Bearing is continuously improving its machining capabilities

“The first collaboration between Tianma Bearing and Starrag took place back in 2020, when we purchased a vertical machining centre for grinding (with additional turning function) with a maximum machining diameter of 4,700 mm from Starrag for our plant in Chengdu. After the equipment was put into use, its operation far exceeded our expectations. Not only has it significantly increased machining efficiency, but it also guarantees outstanding product quality for us,” reports Mu Bin, Assistant to the Chairman and Technical Director of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Co., Ltd. smiling as he recalls the first co-operation between the two companies. This successful cooperation laid a solid foundation of trust between the two parties. Therefore, when Tianma Bearing planned to further enhance its research and production capabilities for wind turbine main shaft bearings, it did not hesitate to choose Starrag.

The main shaft bearings are among the most important components of wind turbines. Extremely high demands are placed on them in terms of precision and reliability. Therefore, machining equipment with excellent performance is essential for the production of high-quality products. As a global leader in the field of machining technology, Starrag and the performance of its machines are undisputed, and Starrag also has extensive application experience in the wind energy sector. Starrag’s vertical grinding machine is an important component, not only in production, but also in the research and development of wind turbine main shaft bearings.

Machining time reduced from three to four days to four to five hours

Since the Berthiez RVU vertical grinding machine from Starrag has been in operation, it has proven itself in practice. Its outstanding, stable performance has impressed the technical team at Tianma Bearing, who are full of praise. Mu Bin explains: “The bearings of wind turbines place extremely high demands on reliability and service life. This is particularly true for the main shaft bearings. The vertical grinding machine from Starrag is characterised not only by high reliability and guaranteed machining quality, but also by high precision and great flexibility. It has proven its worth in the machining of new product samples and complex parts.”

“After the equipment was put into use, its operation far exceeded our expectations.”

Mu Bin, Technical Director of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Co., Ltd.

Firstly, Starrag’s Berthiez RVU vertical grinding machine has an extremely rigid machine bed and an advanced control system to ensure high precision and stability during the machining process. Secondly, it has a very high degree of automation. The well thought-out design of the turret and tool changing system makes the machining of complex parts more efficient and convenient. At the same time, the machine is extremely adaptable and fulfils all requirements for machining workpieces in a wide range of sizes and shapes.

In practical use at Tianma Bearing, the Berthiez RVU has solved many machining problems where traditional machines failed. The machining time for a sample has been reduced from the original three to four days to the current four to five hours, the machining efficiency has been greatly improved, and the research and development cycle has been significantly shortened.

“We were deeply touched by the professional technology and rigorous attitude of the staff.”

Ensuring the final quality and serving as an “assurance pill” for customers

The Starrag machine guarantees high final quality for Tianma Bearing. At the same time, the intangible value brought by Starrag’s equipment also benefits Tianma Bearing a lot. “Starrag’s equipment is like an assurance pill. Not only are we completely relaxed when we use them, but we also have the certainty that the product quality is right. The machine has allayed many customers’ concerns about using locally produced products and has strengthened their confidence in Tianma Bearing,” said Ma Xingfa, Chairman of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group Co., Ltd., frankly.

According to Ma Xingfa, Starrag’s machine is not only easy on the nerves by allaying customers’ concerns, but it is also a driving force for further innovation. In order to meet the high standards of the wind energy industry, Tianma Bearing is constantly improving its own workpiece machining capabilities.

The purchase of the Starrag machine has not only raised standards in a specific process step, but has also created a positive dynamic that has optimised and improved all production steps. This has significantly increased the level of equipment at Tianma Bearing and strengthened the development of high-quality precision bearings. From installation and commissioning to aftersales service, the professionalism and rigorous attitude of Starrag’s staff have left a deep impression on Tianma Bearing. Mu Bin recalls: “During installation and commissioning, two French engineers travelled thousands of kilometres to Tianma Bearing to supervise the work on site. The machine was assembled in perfect quality within the planned time. We were deeply touched by the professional technology and rigorous attitude of the staff.”

The co-operation between Tianma Bearing and Starrag is a strong combination of two leading companies in the industry. By introducing Starrag’s Berthiez RVU vertical grinding machine, Tianma Bearing has not only enhanced its own technical strength and product quality but has also injected fresh impetus into the industry to promote the manufacture of precision bearings locally in China.

Ma Xingfa, Chairman of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group

“When purchasing new equipment in the future, we will still give the priority to Starrag.”

When talking about future cooperation, Ma Xingfa did not hesitate to say: “As the ultimate guarantee for the product quality of Tianma Bearing, Starrag makes us feel very at ease. When purchasing new equipment in the future, we will still give the priority to Starrag.” Liu Xin, General Manager of Starrag China, said: “Tianma Bearing is an outstanding company that attaches great importance to product innovation, efficiency improvement and cost management. I am very pleased to be able to utilise Starrag’s equipment, knowledge and experience to help Tianma Bearing achieve high quality and efficient production. At the same time, we look forward to further future cooperation between the two parties in order to jointly drive forward the innovation and development of high-quality bearing production technology!”

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Sabine Kerstan

Starrag Content Manager

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