Fraunhofer IWES has developed a test rig for wind turbine slewing bearings measuring up to 6.5 metre in diameter, the Bearing Endurance and Acceptance Test rig (BEAT6.1). The cylinders and mechanics for the application of real wind loads of up to 50 MNm have been installed and are now operational.The commissioning of the entire test rig is expected by the end of the year. It will then be possible to validate a rolling bearing fully and in a reproducible manner in the laboratory without the need for field measurement campaigns. The BEAT6.1 bearing test rig will initially be operated with test jobs within the scope of the public highly accelerated pitch bearing test research (HAPT) project. However, following this, it will be available to all interested parties.
