Machining large wind parts takes a little finesse

The huge horizontal milling machine and skilled people produced the part that will hold several generators for a 2.5-MW turbine.

After years of supplying the plastics machinery business and other companies in the industry, Milacron Machining, Mt. Orab, Ohio, is now applying its precision machining expertise to produce large, complex parts for the wind power market.

“We have machined components for 2.5 MW and 1.5-MW gearboxes such as housings, and planetary carriers,” says plant manager Jim Kinzie. “These parts often require component machining, assembly, and line boring to complete an assembly. The physical sizes of the gearbox and carrier components have ranged from 4-ft cubes to one 12 ft on a side. Other components such as retainers, bushings and pins have been manufactured or procured.”

Kinsie says the facility features a state-of-the-art, ISO 9001:2000 and 14001:2004 certified manufacturing environment, complete with specialized equipment to machine tight-tolerance and large parts up to 150,000 lb. The plant includes climate-conditioned as well as secondary metalworking areas, all staffed by skilled employees who average 23 years of experience in the industry.

“We’re seeing a shortage of specialty machining providers in the wind-energy market,” says Dave Lawrence, President of Milacron Worldwide Plastics. “To support the wind industry, we’re investing differently in our machining business. By leveraging our competencies in new ways, we’re able to meet precision machining needs in this growing manufacturing sector.”

The castings, machined by Milicron Machining, will house a 1.5 MW generator.

The company, centrally located in North America, can also provide small to medium lots of custom, design-driven components. In addition, a variety of job and industry-specific certifications enable the company to meet manufacturers’ most exacting needs.