Kapp Niles to focus on wind-power applications

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The mobility and energy transition brings along new challenges for the finishing of gears and profiles. Beginning in 2025, Kapp Niles will be increasingly focused on wind-power applications.

‘As a leading manufacturer in gear technology, we at Kapp Niles  are proud to support the development of the wind-power industry. Our solutions help to increase the efficiency and lifespan of wind turbines and to promote the expansion of renewable energies. Kapp Niles is determined to make a positive impact on a sustainable energy future with the highest precision and responsibility.

Kapp Niles’ attention in 2025 will be increasingly focused on wind power applications. (Courtesy: Kapp Niles)

That is why we are increasingly focusing on our expertise and technologies in the machining of gears in wind turbines,” said Matthias Kapp, Kapp Niles managing director.

Roughly 80 percent of wind turbines are designed with a gearbox translating the rotational energy of the rotor blades for the generator. In this context, planetary gearboxes with multiply stages are very common. Due to the growing power output of modern wind turbines, these gearboxes and the gears within are increasing in size and belong to the most stressed components with correspondingly high demands – both in terms of quality and productivity.

For almost three decades, Kapp Niles has been offering tailor-made products and technologies for the finishing of wind-turbine gears. The relevant gears in a modern wind turbine include the planetary gears, the sun gears, and the ring gears of the gearbox as well as the pinions of the yaw and pitch drives.

With solutions from Kapp Niles, these can be ground and measured with high precision.

Profile grinding machines of the KNG master series are well suited for grinding the planetary gears for wind-turbine gearboxes with tip diameters up to 1,250 mm. ZP series machines are ideal for grinding gears with even larger tip diameters and modules to combine maximum productivity with highest machining qualities, the ZP series can be equipped with an automatic tool changer. This solution provides the possibility to execute several different grinding operations with minimal set-up and non-productive times.

Sun gears can also be ground on machines of the ZP series. As these gears are usually on a shaft, the function for wobble determination can be used to automatically compensate for clamping errors, further reducing set-up times.

“We are convinced that an excellent result for our customers can only be achieved if machine, tool, technology, and measuring technology are optimally coordinated.

As a system supplier, KAPP NILES therefore offers complete precision solutions for the wind power industry,” Kapp said. 

More info www.kapp-niles.com