At the recently concluded 2025 China International Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition, Germany's HKW—a European leader in wind turbine bearing technology—made a huge impression with a groundbreaking debut in China. At this exhibition, HKW publicly unveiled its compact transmission chain solution for wind turbines featuring a three-row cylindrical roller slewing bearing (3CRB) as the main bearing. This integrated solution was unprecedented in China's wind power sector. HKW's booth was the focus of attention due to this integrated solution, which was unheard of in China's wind power industry. Both wind farm owners and manufacturers paused to watch, claiming to have seen a groundbreaking new development in transmission technology.
Domestic Debut: Three-Row Cylindrical Compact Drive Chain Fills Industry Solution Gap
While three-row cylindrical roller slewing bearings have been used as primary bearings for wind turbines in other countries, HKW's compact drive chain solution is the first in the industry to be made public.
"This is the first time we've seen a complete transmission chain design that innovatively applies three-row cylindrical bearings to the main bearing. It is very important for future wind farm choices since it provides substantial advantages over conventional double TRB (single-row tapered roller bearing) designs in terms of load capacity and ease of maintenance", said the chief engineer of a significant wind power development firm in northern China.
"This is the industry's first truly comprehensive three-row cylindrical main bearing compact transmission chain solution," stated a well-known domestic maker of wind turbines and expert in transmission technology. Its design concept differs greatly from traditional approaches; instead of merely replacing individual components, the entire transmission chain architecture is completely redesigned. The use of three-row cylindrical bearings as primary bearings is more in line with the industry's inclination toward larger wind turbines.
The core breakthrough of this new compact transmission chain solution addresses the critical challenge of scaling up wind turbines: By eliminating the traditional main shaft and directly connecting the hub to the gearbox via three-row cylindrical main bearings, this design leverages the high load-bearing capacity of three-row cylindrical bearings to tackle loads exceeding 1,000 tons. It simultaneously achieves over 50% weight reduction in the transmission chain while adapting to nacelle space constraints through a compact structure. This solution perfectly aligns with the core requirements of large wind turbines: high efficiency, weight reduction, and space savings.
HKW Three-Row Cylindrical Main Bearing Compact Drive Chain Structure
Role Upgrade: From “Component Supplier” to “Drive Chain Solution Designer”
The core distinction of HKW's debut lies in its new positioning as A Solution Designer. HKW is not showcasing individual bearing products, but rather A Complete Transmission Chain System Solution.
The value of HKW extends beyond simply manufacturing high-quality bearings; it lies in addressing the holistic challenges of the entire transmission chain. HKW technicians emphasized on-site, “We approach the problem from a systems perspective, helping customers optimize structural design, distribute loads, and reduce space requirements—rather than merely delivering a single component.”
This role transformation enables HKW to collaborate closely with OEMs and wind farm owners: participating in drive train planning from the early model development stage to prevent component compatibility errors later on; ensuring precise matching between bearings and drive trains during manufacturing; and providing full life-cycle maintenance support during operations and maintenance, ultimately achieving the optimal balance between turbine performance and cost.
Value Reinvention: Empowering with Comprehensive Capabilities to Set New Rules in Wind Power Transmission Competition
The significance of HKW's three-row cylindrical main bearing compact drive chain solution making its domestic debut extends far beyond a mere technological showcase. It lies in introducing advanced design concepts to the domestic market, delivering value to the industry that far surpasses that of a single bearing supplier.
“We are not bringing an isolated product, but a proven transmission chain design system,” emphasized the head of HKW Greater China Region. “We hope to advance wind turbine transmission technology through deep collaboration with domestic partners.”
As A Transmission Chain Solution Designer, HKW's value creation model—focused not merely on components but on comprehensive solutions—is redefining the competitive landscape in wind power transmission. This approach injects fresh momentum into the industry's drive toward larger, more efficient wind turbines.
