Zero-Max, Inc., an ISO 9001:2008 certified design and manufacturing company, announces expansion of its wind turbine couplings covering a broad range of wind turbine applications. These couplings are now available as an upgrade replacement for existing wind turbines and for OEM applications. Proven and tested under conditions simulating a 20-year load spectrum of continuous operation, Zero-Max turbine couplings easily handle torque spikes and high misalignment installations.

The couplings withstand high misalignment while remaining torsionally stiff. They are designed with composite disk packs at both ends of a center spacer. These uniquely designed disk packs provide high strength and generous flexibility. The composite disk packs (flex elements) provide a distinct advantage over other coupling component designs by allowing a surplus of parallel and axial misalignment while remaining torsionally stiff through all harmonic ranges of the wind turbine’s oscillating load. Depending on the application, Zero-Max’s center spacers can be machined out of steel, composite glass fiber, or 6061-T6 aluminum. Through the use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), these center spacers can be engineered to withstand in excess of 100,000 Nm of torque.

The couplings have many additional design advantages. The flex elements electrically insulate the turbine’s generator from the gear box, eliminating stray electrical current that can leak across the coupling, thus preventing bearing damage to the gearbox. The coupling protects the generator by transferring lower reaction loads to the generator bearings. Also, the coupling’s composite material withstands all types of environmental elements, including temperature extremes from -40 to +70°C, and also moisture and chemicals native to the nacelles of wind turbines.

Zero-Max is a leading designer and manufacturer of wind turbine couplings for over 30 years. It serves the needs of leading wind turbine manufacturers worldwide with designs that exceed most OEM turbine coupling life requirements, proven through decades of successful real-world applications. For more information go to www.zero-max.com.

Global Marine Energy, Inc., announces the opening of its office in Boston, Massachusetts. The company is an American-owned licensee of Global Marine Systems Ltd, the market leading offshore cable installation and marine engineering company. For over 160 years Global Marine has been successfully installing cable throughout the world’s oceans, and for the past decade has been involved in many of the offshore wind projects that have been completed in the North Sea.

“Our lengthy experience in the installation of telecommunications cables led directly to our developing an expertise in offshore power cable,” says Gabriel Ruhan, CEO of Global Marine Systems. “We are proud to have been involved in the installation of cables on such projects as Horns Rev, Horns Rev 2, Kentish Flats, Estlink, and Britned. With interest in offshore wind and offshore power cable interconnects beginning to take shape in North America, we have decided to license our know-how and subcontract our experts to an American company, Global Marine Energy, Inc., to address these markets as well.”

Global Marine Systems—and now Global Marine Energy—believes that many of the issues that have plagued the industry in Europe can be avoided in North America through proper planning and demonstrated experience. Offshore power cable installation has been particularly troublesome in the North Sea resulting in cost overruns, insurance losses, and the failure of a number of companies who had made the decision to enter the market. The types of problems that have regularly occurred are often in the areas of installation procedure, resulting in cable damage and installation delay due to lack of installer experience and the use of improper equipment.

“Our goal is to transfer the best practices developed over the past decade in European offshore wind,” says Joel Whitman, CEO of Global Marine Energy. “We can then use that expertise to develop American and Canadian personnel, equipment, and vessels in order to correctly plan and install the offshore cable plant required for North American projects. Since we are an American-owned company, we can do this in full compliance with the Jones Act and other U.S. regulation.”

Over the past decade approximately 4 gigawatts (4,000 megawatts) of offshore wind power have been installed in European waters. With an additional 15 gigawatts already consented and an estimated 25-50 gigawatts in the planning stages, the European market is well underway. With both offshore wind and interconnect projects in the planning stages up and down the East Coast and in the Great Lakes, the North American market is beginning to move forward. To learn more go online to www.globalmarine-energy.com.

The AEGIS™ SGR bearing protection ring protects the bearings of VFD-driven motors from electrical damage, and the new all-inclusive AEGIS universal mounting kit (U-Kit) simplifies its mounting on virtually any AC motor shaft. Available from Electro Static Technology, the kit includes the proven AEGIS grounding ring and mounting hardware for most motor designs. Ordered based on the NEMA “U” shaft diameter, the kit contains the correct size ring for the motor and four styles of brackets with bolts and lock washers that can be used in various configurations, depending on the contours of the motor’s end bracket.

Ideal for OEMs, the ring prevents electrical “fluting” damage in the bearing, bearing noise, costly motor repairs/replacements, and downtime by safely channeling VFD-induced bearing currents to ground. To simplify the installation of the ring on NEMA frame motors, the brackets in the U-Kit may be mounted on the motor either by drilling and tapping small holes or using AEGIS conductive epoxy. The ring’s conductive microfibers are embedded securely in the patented AEGIS FiberLock™ channel and completely surround the motor shaft, providing millions of discharge points for harmful shaft currents. This unique design creates the path of least resistance that effectively diverts these currents away from bearings to ground. The microfibers themselves are specially engineered for exceptional flexibility to prevent breakage. Unlike conventional shaft grounding brushes, the AEGIS ring is maintenance-free and lasts for the life of the motor.

Used increasingly to save energy, variable frequency drives cause unwanted voltages on motor shafts. If not diverted the resulting currents discharge through bearings, causing fusion craters on bearing race walls. Over time this bearing fluting can lead to noise, vibration, bearing failure, and catastrophic motor failure. By preventing such damage the AEGIS SGR bearing protection ring extends motor life and locks in energy savings to make VFD-controlled systems sustainable and truly “green.” For more information call (866) 738-1857, e-mail sales@est-aegis.com, or go to www.est-aegis.com.

President Barack Obama underscored key themes from his State of the Union speech of job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness when he visited Broadwind Energy, Inc.’s wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Broadwind Energy and its more than 800 employees are playing a critical role in powering up the clean energy industry, stimulating local economies like Manitowoc and driving innovation in the U.S.—innovation the President is calling for to maintain our global leadership position.

Once a manufacturing plant for World War II-era submarines, the 250,000 square foot facility the President toured was revitalized by Broadwind Towers (Tower Tech), stimulating the local economy through the hiring of 300 people. The company has become one of the largest employers in Manitowoc, is a leading producer of multi-megawatt (MW) wind turbine towers, and is the first company in the U.S. to manufacture 100-meter towers. Currently the Manitowoc facility is running at near capacity, and when combined with its tower manufacturing facilities in Abilene, Texas, and Brandon, South Dakota, Broadwind Towers has the potential to produce up to 1,500 MWs of wind turbine towers annually. Manitowoc is a great example of a U.S. community rebounding from economic hardship by applying existing talent to new problems, in this case tapping deep roots in steel fabrication to create the tall steel towers that enable wind turbines to capture maximum wind energy.

During the visit, President Obama was able to see how a wind turbine tower is manufactured—from raw plate steel through the process of forming, welding, painting, and moving a completed tower section, which could weigh up to 200 tons. Broadwind Energy President and CEO Peter C. Duprey, Broadwind Towers President Paul Smith, and plant manager Chris Wallander led the President through the facility, where he stopped several times to talk with employees.

“We were honored to host President Obama and demonstrate clean energy jobs and innovation in action. Broadwind Energy looks at the energy industry with a unique perspective, bringing a variety of solutions to our customers to help them make the most of their energy investments,” says Duprey. “President Obama is essentially asking the same of our country—bring together all of our best talents and solutions and help our country and other countries maximize their energy potential—sustainably, cleanly, and profitably.”

Broadwind Energy approaches the energy industry in a way unlike any other company. It applies decades of deep industrial expertise to innovate integrated solutions for customers. From gears to towers, to comprehensive remanufacturing of gearboxes and blades, to operations and maintenance services, it has the solutions that domestic energy demands. With facilities throughout the U.S., Broadwind Energy’s talented team is committed to helping customers maximize performance of energy and infrastructure investments—quicker, easier, and smarter. To learn more please visit www.bwen.com.

GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE, and Bankers Commercial Corporation, a unit of UnionBanCal Corporation, have purchased the first wind farm to start operations in one of the largest wind energy projects in the United States. GE Energy Financial Services and Bankers Commercial Corporation acquired the 150-megawatt Alta Wind I wind farm in Tehachapi in Kern County, California, and are leasing it back to its developer, operator, and manager, Terra-Gen Power, LLC. The wind farm, using 100 GE 1.5-megawatt SLE turbines, was completed in the fourth quarter of last year. GE Energy Financial Services—a major global investor in multiple energy generation and distribution projects and companies—and Bankers Commercial Corporation each own 50 percent of the wind farm. Funds from the sale will be used to pay off construction loans Terra-Gen entered into for the project last March. Financial details were not disclosed.

The Alta Wind I farm is the first phase of the Alta Wind Energy Center, a planned 3,000-megawatt project. The first 1,550 megawatts of the center, including this phase, is contracted to Southern California Edison. When complete, the center will be able to provide electricity for 1.3 million California homes. Terra-Gen estimates the center will create more than 3,000 domestic manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance jobs, and will contribute more than $1.2 billion to Kern County’s economy. According to Terra-Gen, the center is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 52 million metric tons over the next decade, equivalent to taking 890,000 cars off the road. The wind farms will help California meet its goal of ensuring that by 2020, 33 percent of the power it consumes comes from renewable sources. Alta Wind I is the first project to connect with Southern California Edison’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, the first major transmission project in California to be constructed specifically for accessing a renewable-rich resource area. When completed, the Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project will consist of more than 250 miles of new and upgraded high-voltage transmission infrastructure. The project is eligible for a U.S. Treasury grant created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It allows renewable energy project owners to access a cash grant in lieu of tax credits.

GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally with a long-term view, backed by the best of GE’s technical know-how, financial strength and rigorous risk management, across the capital spectrum, in one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries, energy. GE Energy Financial Services helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships, and optimization of its $21 billion in assets. GE Energy Financial Services is based in Stamford, Connecticut. For more information visit www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

Headquartered in San Francisco, UnionBanCal Corporation is a financial holding company with assets of $79.8 billion at September 30, 2010. Its primary subsidiary, Union Bank, N.A., is a full service commercial bank providing an array of financial services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, and major corporations. The bank operated 397 banking offices in California, Washington, Oregon and Texas, as well as two international offices, on September 30, 2010. UnionBanCal Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Union Bank is a proud member of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, one of the world’s largest financial organizations. Visit www.unionbank.com for more information.

At the AWEA O&M Project Performance and Reliability conference held in January global service partner for advanced blade services, LM Wind Power Service & Logistics announced that they have acquired Encore Power Services (EPS), a leading provider of field services and component repair for wind turbine generators in North America. John Mullins, president of EPS, remains in his role following the acquisition. “Service of wind turbine generators is an exciting, timely addition to our portfolio,” says Robert Burger, vice president service, Americas. “It’s a natural complement to our blade service business and is a convenient, cost-saving option for our customers.”

In 2010, LM Wind Power reconfigured its service and logistics business, increasing support to customers. Since then the independent LM Wind Power Service & Logistics business has significantly increased in size and now offers inspection, repair, overhaul, preventive maintenance, and blade logistics, covering a spectrum of service to wind turbine owners anywhere in the world.

Roman Thomassin, president of LM Wind Power Service & Logistics, says that “Our overall strategy is to build upon our well-established, respected blade service business, ultimately providing a complete range of wind related services. This acquisition is a significant part of our worldwide expansion, marking a milestone for our company and creating a value-added service for our customers in North America.”

For more information contact Robert Burger, vice president service-Americas, at (503) 575-6494 or rbu@lmwindpower.com. The company’s Web site is www.lmwindpower.com.

Methods Machine Tools now offers the VisionGauge® digital optical comparator (patent pending) in a vertical configuration. In the vertical configuration, parts are mounted flat on the system’s XY stage and the optical axis is vertical (the lens is looking down on the parts). The most appropriate VisionGauge configuration for a given application—either horizontal or vertical—is typically dictated by fixturing and mounting considerations. Standard XY travel for the vertical configuration is 12” x 12” and extended 24” x 24” travel is available as an option.

All of the standard options available for the horizontal configuration of the VisionGauge digital optical comparator are also available for the vertical configuration. The list of available options includes: reflected illumination, LASER module for Z-axis measurements, motorized rotary fixtures and a fifth monitor for automatic recall of related documents such as work instructions, part prints, reports, spreadsheets, etc. The vertical VisionGauge is available with the same full range of magnifications as the horizontal model: 5X, 10X, 20X, 50X and 100X, in either single or multi-mag configurations.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation, and machine tool accessories for over 50 years. For more information call (978) 443-5388, e-mail sales@methodsmachine.com, or visit www.methodsmachine.com.

ACCIONA Energy announces that Adarsh Mehta, development director of ACCIONA Wind Energy Canada, has been elected as the new chair of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) Board of Directors. At the helm of CanWEA Mehta’s top priority will be strengthening broad public support for wind energy development.

“Wind energy development has the potential to be one of Canada’s fastest growing industries and we must nurture it,” she says. “To achieve this we should focus on raising awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of wind energy development and on enhancing our current electricity infrastructure. I look forward to working with CanWEA to achieve these goals.”

Other tasks Mehta will tackle include raising visibility of CanWEA and highlighting the benefits the organization provides its members and the communities they serve. She will also push for legislative policies at provincial and federal levels that support renewable energy development in order to attract investment dollars.

“We are pleased to see Ms. Mehta assume her leadership role with CanWEA,” says Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. “She is passionate about the organization’s mission to build a thriving wind energy industry in Canada and she brings a wealth of experience both in the industry and with CanWEA, making her ideally suited for this position.”

Mehta began her 10 years of work in the wind energy industry by conducting academic research of wind flow over complex terrain. At GPCo and ORTECH Power, Mehta performed wind resource assessment and conducted technical due diligence. After joining GDF Suez to lead western Canadian business development, Mehta ran her own management consultancy while gaining an executive MBA. She joined ACCIONA in May of 2010 and has been an active member of CanWEA for five years already serving on various caucuses and special steering committees.

ACCIONA Energy has already installed and operates 136 MW in three wind farms in Canada with local partners Suncor and Enbridge. Two of these farms—Magrath Wind Power Project and Chin Chute Wind Power Project (each with a capacity of 30 MW)—are located in Alberta, and the third, Ripley Wind Power Project (76 MW), is in Ontario. The Lamèque Wind Power Project (45 MW), located in New Brunswick, will be completed in early 2011 and will increase ACCIONA’s installed capacity in Canada to 181 MW. ACCIONA’s presence in Canada includes the company’s infrastructure business, where it has been contracted for five projects under a public-private partnership. Learn more at www.acciona-na.com.

Design engineers looking to reduce heat transfer from servo motors to driven shafts will find ServoClass® couplings from Zero-Max an ideal solution. The ServoClass coupling design minimizes heat transfer and reduces variations in system accuracy caused by thermal expansion. The coupling features stainless steel discs designed into the center of the coupling that dissipate heat generated from a connected servo motor. By minimizing heat transmission to the connected shaft, thermal expansion is prevented.

With today’s servo motor applications more demanding than ever, system accuracy is critical to precision positioning. The ServoClass coupling, with this low thermal transfer design feature, helps ensure the required accuracy in these systems. The couplings also provide high torsional stiffness, zero backlash, and low hysteresis, further ensuring repeatable precise positioning. “Thermal transfer is a growing concern in servo motor system design,” according to Robert Mainz, sales manager. “ServoClass couplings provide a superior solution. As cycles become faster and heat is increased, especially in tightly enclosed designs, the ServoClass coupling minimizes heat transfer through the shaft components.”

ServoClass coupling applications include virtually any system using ball screws and servo motors. Three new sizes have been added to the line. They handle bore diameters from 0.875 in. (20mm) to 1.378 in. (35mm) and operating torque from 3937 to 9843 in. lbs (100 to 250 Nm). Many additional sizes are available starting with the smallest bore size 0.157 in. (4 mm) and larger. All ServoClass couplings are manufactured of RoHS compliant materials. They are lightweight and designed with 304 stainless steel disc packs and 7075-T6 aluminum hubs and center members. They are available in single and double flex models in inch and metric sizes. All models and sizes feature clamp style hubs with corrosion resistant socket head cap screws. To learn more call (800) 533-1731 or (763) 546-4300. Go online to www.zero-max.com.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently announced an alliance with Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, North Dakota, focusing on safety training for workers in the wind power industry. OSHA will provide assistance in the development of training related to working safely when exposed to hazards inherent to the wind power industry. Lake Region State College will offer training for students on the commissioning, operation, and maintenance of electrical generation equipment and control systems for wind turbine generation systems. “This is a great opportunity for OSHA and LRSC to work together to heighten the awareness of the hazards associated with the wind power generation industry,” says Greg Baxter, OSHA’s regional administrator.

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with groups committed to worker safety and health to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. These groups include unions, consulates, trade or professional organizations, businesses, faith- and community-based organizations, and educational institutions. OSHA and the groups work together to develop compliance assistance tools and resources, and educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA programmed inspections.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. Also go to www.lrsc.edu.

Dynabrade’s Mini-Dynafile II is a lightweight air-powered abrasive belt machine for grinding, blending, and deburring in normally inaccessible areas. Running at 25,000 RPM, the Mini-Dynafile II utilizes 1/8” to 1/2” wide x 12” long abrasive belts. The tool accepts coated and abrasive impregnated non-woven nylon belts. The multi-positioning grinding head pivots 180°, ideal for grinding into hard to reach areas. The lightweight, composite housing reduces vibration and is thermal insulated to prevent cold air transmission to the operator’s hands. The air motor is also adjustable to the most comfortable throttle lever position. Eight different contact arms are also available for a wide variety of distinct applications. The tool is excellent for finishing and deburring within narrow openings. It is also ideal for blending stainless steel and grinding right angle welds. The lightweight, compact design of the tool suits a wide range of users. A Mini-Dynafile II Versatility Kit is also offered that includes the tool, contact arms, various abrasive belts, and a threaded collet for easy conversion to a die grinder.

Dynabrade has been supplying quality industrial abrasive power tools for use in industries worldwide for more than four decades. Call (716) 631-0100 or visit www.dynabrade.com.

Gleason Corporation has made major new investment in equipment and processes to optimize the manufacture of large module gear hobs. These cutting tools are used in the manufacturing of large gears for wind energy, mining, and a variety of industrial gearbox applications. The Gleason Cutting Tools facility in Loves Park, Illinois, is now capable of producing hobs up to 450mm in diameter, 530mm in length, and up to 40 module. Through optimization of the new equipment and processes, as well as lean philosophies and techniques already embraced by the facility, large module hob manufacturing lead times now range from seven to nine weeks. The cell is capable of producing DIN and AGMA AAA class hobs. The large module hobs complement Gleason’s full line of gear hobbing machines for parts with diameters up to 6 meters, and even larger on request.

The multimillion-dollar investment includes customized equipment with onboard inspection, fast changeover, and the highest accuracy and repeatability. Robert Phillips, senior vice president of the company’s Tooling Products Group, says “This investment allows us to extend our global leadership in gear cutting tools and serve the fast growing markets such as wind energy with the shortest lead times in our industry.”

Gleason Corporation’s mission is to be The Total Gear Solutions Provider™ to its global customer base. The company is a world leader in the development, manufacture, and sale of gear production machinery and related equipment. Its products are used by customers in automotive, truck, aircraft, agriculture, mining, wind power, construction, power tool, and marine industries, and by a diverse set of customers serving various industrial equipment markets. Gleason has manufacturing operations in Rochester, New York; Rockford, Illinois; Dayton, Ohio; Plymouth, England; Munich and Ludwigsburg, Germany; Studen, Switzerland; Bangalore; India; and Suzhou, China. It has sales and service offices throughout North and South America, Europe, and in the Asia-Pacific region. More information can be obtained by visiting www.gleason.com.

Delivering renewable energy projects throughout Canada, Mortenson Canada Corporation recently completed construction of the Gosfield Wind Farm near Kingsville, Ontario, adding 50 megawatts to the region’s wind generating capacity. An additional 166 megawatts are under construction at Comber Wind Project, the sister project to Gosfield. Located in agricultural land north of Lake Erie, the wind power facilities are developed and owned by Canadian-based developer Brookfield Renewable Power, Inc. Gosfield consists of 22-2.3 megawatt Siemens turbines with 101 meter rotors, currently the largest rotor available in the North American market. Mortenson was responsible for the engineering and construction of the access roads, foundations, collection system, substation, and erection of the turbines.

At the Comber project Mortenson will erect 72 Siemens 2.3-megawatt turbines for a total projected output of 166 megawatts of clean, renewable power that will provide electricity to more than 55,000 households annually. The Mortenson team is responsible for access roads, foundations, underground collection, overhead collection, substation, and erection. The groundbreaking for Comber was in October, and the project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.

As an industry expert, Mortenson coordinates the logistics of the construction efforts through hands-on and positive relationship development with town and county officials. “In an effort to ensure traffic safety we use temporary traffic signs, for example, adding stop signs to make a four-way stop, regulating the traffic leaving the project site,” says Mark Donahue, vice president and general manager. “Additional speed signs are also installed along some of the road ways reducing speed from 80 to 60 Km/Hour.”

The Gosfield project provided approximately 25 million dollars in economic support within a 75 kilometer region of the site. Resources such as labor, supplies, equipment rental, hotels, and food were all supplied through the local community. Comber is expected to bring an even greater economic impact to the area, as it is nearly three times the size of Gosfield. Many of the methods the Mortenson team used to make Gosfield a success will be used during the construction process at Comber since both projects have similar characteristics.

One of Canada’s largest construction firms dedicated to renewable energy, Mortenson Canada Corporation provides efficient, quality solutions to meet the demanding needs of its customers throughout Canada. Founded in 2004, Mortenson Canada Corporation—a sister company of M. A. Mortenson—leverages the collective experience and expertise of Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups, which has built nearly 100 wind power projects throughout North America since 1995. The company offers a complete range of services, including program management, preconstruction, engineering, EPC contracting, general contracting, and construction management. For more information visit www.mortenson.com/wind.

United Technologies Corp. announces that it has completed its purchase of Clipper Windpower Plc by acquiring all remaining shares, as previously announced. Clipper Windpower is a California-based company engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. Its acquisition by UTC creates the long-term financial stability necessary for Clipper’s continued growth, while enabling Clipper to fully leverage UTC’s management capabilities, operational expertise, and world-class technology in blades, turbines, and gearbox design. The acquisition also builds on UTC’s existing portfolio of energy efficient products and power generation systems that respond to the world’s growing demand for cleaner, more-efficient products.

Based in Hartford, Connecticut, UTC is a diversified company that provides high technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries. For more information contact John Moran at (860) 728-7062. Go online to www.utc.com.

Capital Safety announces the creation of a global wind energy team to meet the growing demand in the renewable energies sector. The team consists of highly trained safety experts from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia who know the issues wind turbine manufacturers are facing in specific regions of the world.

“Over the past five years, we have been working with wind turbine manufacturers in the wind energy sector on a project by project basis, advising them on safety requirements,” say Oliver Hirschfelder, global wind energy director for Capital Safety. “Our focus in establishing the global wind energy team is to ensure key manufacturers, wind farms, and construction and service firms have this type of specialized advice for fall protection solutions and services for employees who work at height.”

Capital Safety offers a wide range of globally certified fall protection equipment, and plans to offer more products specifically for the wind energy sector in 2011, including the global launch of the ExoFit NEX Wind harness, which was recently released in the U.S. and Europe. As the wind energy sector continues to grow, Capital Safety is well placed to meet the increasing demand for safety products and training in the industry.

“There is real growth potential in the wind energy sector right now,” Hirschfelder says. “We are working hard to keep up with demand in China and India at present, as these countries become increasingly energy hungry. The drive toward more renewable energy sources is also expanding demand for our wind energy fall protection expertise significantly in Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The Canadian market is growing in megawatts and turbine capacity size and the United States expects long term growth in the wind energy industry.”

The team is experienced in working with both onshore and offshore wind farms, and the company offers a wide range of fall protection products available for use on both offshore and onshore wind turbines. Capital Safety—one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fall protection, confined space, and rescue equipment, with 12 operating sites worldwide and a passionate commitment to quality, innovation, and safety—is home of the DBI-SALA and PROTECTA brands. All of Capital Safety’s fall protection and rescue systems are backed by extensive training, knowledgeable technical assistance, and professional customer service. To learn more call (800) 328-6146 or visit www.capitalsafety.com.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, has introduced high-performance FEELER FV-Series double column bridge mills featuring extensive design and engineering by Methods. FEELER bridge mills are designed to deliver unsurpassed performance and value and are backed by Methods’ application expertise, support, and extensive network of technology centers. “The main structural components of FEELER bridge mills are manufactured from heavily ribbed cast iron to ensure excellent surface finishes on large, complex parts,” says Paul Hurtig, FEELER product manager at Methods. “Examples of components include massive gearbox housings, nacelles on wind turbines and pumps, or valve housings for the oil and gas industry.”

FEELER bridge mills feature a stepped Y-Axis beam and weigh up to 82 tons, contributing significantly to rigidity. For maximum power and torque at low rpms they use a German ZF gearbox with a 1:4 gear ratio. Facilitating the production of large, high-quality components these bridge mills feature THK linear guideways on the X-axis, and Schneeberger roller linear guideways on the Y-Axis. X-axis travels range from 85” (2,160mm) to 284” (7,200mm), and Y-axis travels range from 55” (1,400mm) to 158” (4,000mm). The Z-axis uses boxway construction and travel is 35.4” (900mm) with 47.2” (1,200mm) of travel available as an option. The FV-Series includes 19 models available with either 40-taper 15,000 rpm, 30 HP spindles or 50-Taper 6,000 rpm, 35 HP spindles. Distance between columns ranges from 63” (1,600mm) to 138” (3,500mm). The standard automatic tool changer holds 32 tools. 60, 90 and 120 tool configurations are available as options. The FANUC18i-MB (B) with HPCC control is standard on the 40-taper FEELER bridge mills, and the 50-taper models use the FANUC 18i-MB (A) control.

FEELER machines are manufactured by Fair Friend Group (FFG). Established in 1979, FFG is one of the world’s largest machine tool builders and has major manufacturing operations in Taiwan, China, Japan, and the United States. FEELER is known for rigorous quality control and has invested significantly in highly advanced manufacturing equipment and research and development. Methods Machine Tools has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 50 years, providing extensive applications engineering support, installation, parts, service, and training through a network of large state-of-the-art technology centers and dealers throughout North America. For more information call (978) 443-5388, e-mail sales@methodsmachine.com, or visit online at www.methodsmachine.com.

Western Wind Energy Corp has purchased 120 megawatts of Gamesa G8X Series wind turbines. Gamesa—a world-leading player in the design, manufacture and maintenance of wind turbines—has been awarded a contract to supply a total of 120 MW of capacity to the Windstar wind project, which is being developed by Western Wind Energy Corporation at the Tehachapi Pass in southern California. It will be the largest wind farm developed to date in the United States by Vancouver, Canada-based Western Wind Energy and also Gamesa’s first contract with this developer, which has wind power projects in California, Arizona and Ontario. The agreement also includes Gamesa providing operation and maintenance services for the next 10 years.

Gamesa is to supply Western Wind Energy with a total of 60 wind turbine generators from its G8X-2.0 MW platform with deliveries starting in April 2011. The two models from the G8X-2.0 MW platform supplied under this contract will be manufactured at their factory in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. All the turbines, which are specifically designed for high temperature, will be installed on 67-meter towers. Gamesa will also supervise construction of the wind farm, to commence immediately. Western Wind Energy has a 20-year agreement to supply electricity to Southern California Edison.

“This agreement is a first with an important new customer, Western Wind Energy, and will strengthen our footprint and leading position in the U.S. market,” says Dirk Matthys, CEO of Gamesa for North America. Jeffrey J. Ciachurski, CEO of Western Wind Energy, notes that “following a rigorous process of due diligence among the main manufacturers, we chose the Gamesa G8X-2.0 MW platform because of its robustness and excellent performance, considering also that there are over 9,200 MW installed worldwide.”

Gamesa has been operating in the U.S. since 2005. It has two manufacturing plants in Pennsylvania employing over 800 people and with production capacity of over 1,000 MW/year. The U.S. market, which Gamesa has designated as strategic, accounts for 22 percent of the company’s total worldwide wind turbine generator sales. To learn more visit www.gamesacorp.com.

The leading world market producer of work cages/service lifts, ladder systems, and other personal safety systems for wind turbine towers, Avanti Wind Systems (see article in this issue), is starting up production of ladder systems for wind turbine towers in the United States. Avanti Wind Systems has completed a factory for manufacturing of aluminium ladders at the company’s North American headquarters in New Berlin, which is close to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The factory is intended to supply the North American wind market. Until now the company has manufactured its ladder systems in China and Germany. These factories will continue manufacturing for the rest of the world.

“The factory in Wisconsin will enable us to move employment to the U.S., while also allowing us to give faster and better service to our customers throughout North America,” says Kent Pedersen, general manager for Avanti Wind Systems in the U.S. The location also gives Avanti and its customers considerable advantages. Finished ladder systems take up a lot of space given the amount of raw aluminium involved. Moreover, the shorter transport times will reduce the amount of damage during transport, which typically occurs during the transport and handling of aluminium ladders, with the consequent major savings in transport costs. The new Wisconsin factory will manufacture ladder sections of up to six meters in length. The sections are subsequently assembled when they are installed in the towers.

“Avanti ladders are tested against North American requirements, which include ANSI 14.3,” Pederson says. “Physical tests are performed by Radco, an independent test institute. These show safety factor three for regular duty ladders and safety factor five for heavy duty ladders. This puts them among the best built ladders in the U.S.” For more information call (262) 641-9101 or visit www.avanti-online.com.

Broadwind Energy, Inc., announces that the Development Corporation of Abilene awarded its Broadwind Services subsidiary Energy Maintenance Service, LLC, a financial assistance package of approximately $902,000, which will be applied to facility improvements and support equipment at the company’s drivetrain service center in Abilene, Texas. A portion of the assistance package will help enable the creation of jobs at the drivetrain service center. Broadwind is currently receiving gearboxes for remanufacturing and plans to hold the grand opening for its drivetrain service center in February 2011.

“Abilene is at the center of wind energy in Texas,” according to Peter C. Duprey, president and CEO of Broadwind. “This new drivetrain service center will harness Broadwind’s 85 years of gearing experience with our services expertise to offer turnkey gearbox remanufacturing. We appreciate the Development Corporation of Abilene’s financial support of this important renewable energy project. With approximately 160 employees in Texas, Broadwind is excited to continue to create jobs that contribute to clean energy across America.”

When online, Broadwind’s drivetrain service center will provide a comprehensive suite of multi-megawatt gearbox remanufacturing services, including failure analysis, engineering, disassembly, gear regrinding, clean assembly, and testing functions. Richard Burdine, CEO of the Development Corporation of Abilene, says that “on behalf of the DCOA Board, we are very pleased to help Broadwind Energy expand its wind service capabilities in West Texas with this state-of-the-art facility.”

Broadwind Energy, Inc., based in Naperville, Illinois, provides technologically advanced high-value products and services to the U.S. wind energy industry. Broadwind’s product and service portfolio provides customers, including wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers and wind farm operators, with access to a broad array of wind component and service offerings. These product and service offerings include wind turbine gearing systems, wind turbine structural towers, industrial products, technical services, precision repair and engineering services, and logistics. To learn more go to www.bwen.com.

The ROTALIGN ULTRA vibration acceptance check works in combination with the VIBTOOL vibration meter to measure vibration level according to the ISO 10816-3 international standard. The RMS velocity value is wirelessly transferred and stored back onto ROTALIGN ULTRA computer where the result is instantly evaluated against the machine classification threshold. This fulfills the recommendation of the acceptance check after installation of rotating machinery or any alignment job, ensuring that machines run without restrictions. The VIBTOOL vibration meter can measure the following parameters: vibration severity; bearing condition; temperature; RPM; and pump cavitation.

LUDECA is a vendor of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance solutions including machinery laser alignment, vibration analysis, and balancing equipment, as well as software, rentals, services, and training. For more information visit www.ludeca.com.