Wind energy case study in innovative plastic materials for oil distribution rings

Experts from Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials helped design and implement a more lightweight and cost-efficient alternative to bronze oil distribution rings in gear boxes, resolving several disadvantages. The new polymeric oil distribution rings are more durable, easier and quicker to manufacture, more lightweight, and are compatible with current gear boxes.

The simplified manufacturing process and reduced machining time also greatly reduces production costs and lead times.

Industry: Renewable Energy, Wind Energy Generation

Solution:Alternative to bronze oil ring parts via development of Ertalon™ 6 PLA alternative

Products: Ertalon™ 6 PLA

Results:A wind turbine gear box part that is lightweight, easier to manufacture, and cost-effective

Replacing a bronze application with a more efficient and lightweight material to improve performance

An industry-leading gear box OEM needed to supply the wind power industry by producing large gear boxes for use in wind turbines, distinct in several ways from small industrial gear boxes. Initially, they used bronze oil distribution rings to lubricate the bearings of the revolving planets in gear boxes. This existing technology had many disadvantages, including long machining times, challenges in design flexibility with larger ring sizes, difficulty manipulating the bronze stoop on the machine, and high costs. The OEM needed a more lightweight and cost-efficient alternative to bronze oil distribution rings for their gear boxes to better serve the rapid expansion of the wind energy industry.

Leveraging collaboration to deliver a superior gear box part for wind power

Drawing on our existing work with the OEM for their industrial gear boxes, we partnered with them to explore the possibility of producing larger gear boxes for wind power. The OEM had experience with our polyamide Ertalon™ 6 PLA and later added our 6XAU+ for turbines operating in high-ambient-heat areas. Engineering plastics offer a number of advantages, including greatly improved design when done correctly through specialized part design and testing. Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials is able to support on both, with the expertise to prevent costly learning curves.

Throughout the process, we ensured performance in line with the OEM’s expectations and alignment with industry tolerances and quality specifications.

Increasing durability and streamlining manufacturing

Replacing bronze oil distribution rings with parts made from our Ertalon™ 6 PLA helped simplify manufacturing, reduce machining times, and decrease costs. The lightweight replacement part is fully compatible with the lubrication oils used in gear boxes, supports mechanical stress, and minimizes friction, which reduces the risk of dirt particle accumulation on roller bearings.

Slide bearings within wind turbine gearboxes are also gaining popularity, replacing roller bearings to reduce breakdowns and repairs. However, this redesign requires higher lubrication oil pressure to create and maintain a hydrodynamic layer between the sliding elements. We have developed machined oil distribution rings of Ertalon™ 6PLA and Ertalon™ 6XAU+, a solution that minimizes leakage and maintains high system lubrication pressure.

Simplified manufacturing & reduction in machining times
Substantial cost reduction
Supports gear box stress
Increased part durability & reliability