In all branches of the supply industry, the efficiency requirements of the wind energy industry promote the innovative strength of companies. This not only applies to the manufacture of rotors, drives, bearings and controls, but also to the area of shaped sheet metal parts. The supplier Rübsamen, for example, uses two forming processes to manufacture highly resilient precision components for onshore and offshore technology. The company has adjusted to the demands of wind turbine manufacturers for small and medium-sized quantities.
Numerous plant manufacturers in the onshore and offshore industry not only have large, thin-walled housing components manufactured, but sometimes also very thick-walled molded parts. A typical example of this is a solid steel abutment for holding rubber elements that are installed in wind turbines to dampen vibrations.
The realized high-strength steel part measures 240 x 190 mm and has a wall thickness of 7,5 mm. Its geometry is characterized by a mounting plate drilled four times, from which a cone with a basic conical shape protrudes. The rubber element will later be stored in this cone. The decisive aspect for the customer: The supplier can use the metal spinning technique to produce the complete abutment in one piece and without major thermal stress for the steel structure. In this way, the plant manufacturer receives a highly resilient quality component "Made in Germany".
Metal spinning is a cold forming process, sometimes also known as extrusion. It is very raw material saving and does not require expensive mold tools. In many cases, it therefore proves to be extremely energy-efficient and economical - especially when small to medium-sized quantities are required. In addition, metal spinning scores in the production of rotationally symmetrical components that can be produced without any seams and have very good strength values.
Couplings, brakes and monitoring for the wind turbine
If larger quantities of up to 100.000 are to be produced or if the component geometry precludes the use of metal spinning, the manufacturer switches to deep drawing in accordance with DIN 8584. In its modern press park, the company then produces formed parts with diameters of 20 to 2000 mm, edge lengths of 2000 x 1500 mm and wall thicknesses of 0,5 to 15 mm.