The core equipment of the wind power industry, such as wind turbines, gearboxes, spindles and bearings, has extremely high requirements for the machining precision of parts. Since wind turbine equipment needs to operate for a long time in various harsh environments, any slight error in any part may affect the performance of the whole machine and even cause equipment failure. Therefore, improving the machining precision of parts is an important task in the production and manufacturing of the wind power industry. The application of CNC (numerical control machine tool) machining technology has greatly improved the machining precision and production efficiency of parts in the wind power industry.

1. How does CNC machining improve the precision of wind power parts?

CNC machining is an automated precision machining method controlled by a computer program. It ensures that parts achieve micron-level precision through precise tool movement and automated measurement. The wind power industry improves the precision of parts through CNC machining, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects:

(1) High-precision CNC machining control

CNC machine tools can accurately control the feed speed, cutting path and machining parameters of the tool, avoiding human errors and improving the consistency of parts. For example, the gears and bearings in wind turbine gearboxes require strict dimensional tolerances. CNC machining can achieve an accuracy of ±0.01mm or even higher, ensuring perfect fit between parts.

(2) Five-axis linkage machining technology

Traditional three-axis machine tools have difficulty machining complex curved surfaces, while many core components in the wind power industry (such as impeller molds, bearing seats, planetary gears, etc.) have complex geometric shapes. Five-axis CNC machine tools can complete machining at multiple angles in one clamping, reducing human errors, improving part accuracy, and reducing machining time and costs.

(3) Automatic measurement and error compensation

During the CNC machining process, CNC machine tools can be equipped with online measurement systems, such as laser measuring instruments or three-dimensional coordinate measuring machines (CMMs), to monitor machining accuracy in real time. When a small deviation is detected, the CNC system can automatically adjust the machining parameters and perform error compensation, thereby ensuring the high accuracy of the final parts.

2. Application of CNC machining in wind power component production

(1) Wind power main shaft machining

The main shaft of a wind turbine generator is subject to strong torque and load, requiring extremely high coaxiality and surface finish. CNC turning and grinding technology can accurately process the outer circle and inner hole of the main shaft, ensuring that its dimensional error is within the micron level, ensuring the stability of wind turbine operation.

(2) Wind turbine gearbox manufacturing

Wind turbine gearboxes require precision gears and bearings to achieve efficient transmission. CNC gear hobbing machines, gear grinding machines and high-precision CNC machining centers can ensure extremely high precision of gear pitch, tooth shape and tooth direction, reduce friction and energy loss, and improve transmission efficiency and service life.

(3) Wind turbine blade mold processing

The manufacturing of wind turbine blades requires high-precision molds, and blade molds are usually large in size and have complex surfaces. Five-axis CNC machining technology can efficiently process the complex surfaces of the mold, ensure the accuracy of the blade after molding, and improve the aerodynamic performance of the wind turbine.

Conclusion, CNC machining technology has become the core means of precision manufacturing in the wind power industry. It not only improves the machining accuracy of parts, but also improves production efficiency and product quality. With the development of intelligent manufacturing technology, CNC machining will play a greater role in the high-end manufacturing of wind power equipment in the future, helping the wind power industry to develop in a more efficient and reliable direction.