Waukesha Bearings Launches NordAlign for Wind Turbines

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Waukesha Bearings, a manufacturer of fluid film bearings and magnetic bearing systems, has launched the NordAlign bearing for wind turbine main shafts. The new bearing is designed to improve turbine reliability, lower maintenance costs, and simplify installation through features like replaceable uptower pads, a modular design, and a polymer developed for wear resistance.

Why it matters

As the wind energy industry continues to grow, improving the reliability and reducing the maintenance costs of wind turbines is crucial to making the technology more cost-effective and scalable. Waukesha Bearings' NordAlign bearing aims to address these challenges with an innovative design that could have a significant impact on the wind power sector.

The details

NordAlign bearings are designed for durability and can provide longer service life than some existing main bearing options. The tilt pads adjust to radial and axial shaft movements to improve load distribution and support bearing life. When maintenance or repairs are required, the bearing pads can be replaced uptower, reducing the need for jack-up vessels and cranes. Its modular design can be scaled for larger wind turbine models, and the pad shape is intended to support integration into the nacelle for both retrofit and new installations.

• Waukesha Bearings launched the NordAlign bearing in April 2026.

What’s next

Waukesha Bearings plans to continue developing and improving the NordAlign bearing technology to meet the evolving needs of the wind energy industry.