An essential advantage of the new differential gearbox is its slim outer diameter, with only a slightly increased total length compared to existing - but lower capacity - MW gearboxes. Consequently, although offering Cylindrical roller bearings increased plant power, the new unit delivers a 15 per cent weight reduction compared with today's gearbox concepts. The component dimensions also play a major role in this reduction.

Importantly for standardisation and cost savings, these bearings correspond closely to the original sizes of bearings used in smaller megawatt class gearboxes. The use of paired EM series Cylindrical roller bearings wholesale, with one-piece solid brass cages, has proven to be the optimum bearing type for this application.

In determining the best bearing arrangement for the new wind turbine gearbox, NSK employed a wide selection of analysis and calculation tools, including analysis of component deformations - component loads and deformation as well as resulting bearing loads and deformations; analysis of internal friction ratios - kinematic consideration of rolling elements, tilting and crowning behaviour of the rolling elements Cylindrical roller bearings manufacture, and thickness of lubrication film, heat generation and dynamic friction moment; analysis of stress in the roller bearing, rolling contact stress and internal stress distribution.