Vibrations Under Control - Energy Flowing
GMT’s vibration-damping and vibration-reducing elements play a central role in ensuring reliable and long-lasting operation of renewable energy generation facilities. They reduce mechanical vibrations and reliably absorb dynamic loads caused, for example, by wind, water currents, rotating masses or changing operating conditions. In doing so, they protect load-bearing structures as well as sensitive components such as generators, gearboxes and electronics, they reduce wear and increase the availability of the entire plant. At the same time, they contribute to quieter operation as well as lower maintenance and lifecycle costs.
Industry Experience
GMT has many years of experience in the development and manufacture of mounting elements for gearboxes, generators and other components of renewable energy systems, particularly for wind turbines. Drawing on its extensive expertise in materials and applications, GMT develops vibration-damping solutions specifically designed to withstand high dynamic loads, varying operating conditions and harsh environmental conditions. These products have been in use worldwide for many years and contribute to trouble-free, low-vibration and long-lasting plant operation. Through close collaboration with plant manufacturers and operators, GMT also supports the optimization of reliability, availability and lifecycle costs of modern energy generation systems.
Requirements
GMT components meet the stringent sustainability requirements of renewable energy generation whilst maintaining high performance and durability. Before carbon-neutral electricity can be generated, energy is needed. This energy can be obtained through wind or hydroelectric power, among other sources. High wind speeds or large volumes of water place significant static and dynamic loads on the drive train. These place very specific demands on vibration damping and, consequently, on the bearing elements used to reduce noise emissions. GMT components are characterized by high reliability and corrosion resistance. Throughout a plant’s entire service life, high-quality vibration-control components from GMT contribute significantly to its reliable and safe operation. This minimizes the need for extensive plant overhauls.
Solutions
To meet the growing demands in the renewable energy sector, GMT offers specially developed solutions and components tailored to the specific loads and operating conditions of this industry. The focus is on reliability, durability and a high level of operational safety to support cost-effective and trouble-free plant operation over the long term.
The product range includes, among other things, generator bearings, gearbox bearings, rotor bearings and drive bearings designed for use in wind turbines as well as other renewable energy generation applications. The product range is complemented by bearing elements for auxiliary equipment, tapered roller bearings, and products for control cabinet mounting and effective vibration and noise isolation. In addition, GMT offers custom-designed decoupling elements that help reduce dynamic loads, extend the service life of components and improve the operational reliability of the entire system.
GMT as a Reliable Partner
By using GMT’s mounting elements, operators of power generation plants and wind turbines benefit in several ways. The elastic bearings effectively reduce vibrations, structure-borne noise and dynamic load peaks, thereby significantly reducing the stress on key components such as the gearbox, generator, main shaft and the entire nacelle structure. This reduces wear, extends the service life of mechanical components and noticeably lengthens maintenance intervals. This, in turn, leads to lower operating and repair costs while simultaneously increasing plant availability—a decisive advantage for the economical operation of wind turbines, particularly in the offshore sector. Thanks to their ability to compensate for misalignment and thermal movement, GMT bearings also protect the drivetrain from overloads and contribute to smoother, more efficient turbine operation. Their high fatigue strength and resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations and corrosion also ensure reliable operation even under extreme environmental conditions. Overall, GMT bearings enable quieter, equipment-friendly and cost-efficient operation over the long term—thereby increasing the profitability of the entire power plant.