A unique collaboration
between Romax Technology Ltd (Romax) and Chongqing Wangjiang Industrial
Co. Ltd (CQWJ) has enabled the Chinese manufacturer to transform its
industrial manufacturing business into a key gearbox supplier to the
wind energy industry.
Following a technology transfer programme delivered by Romax, CQWJ
has manufactured Romax designed 1.5MW and 2MW gearboxes, both of which
have recently been awarded GL Renewables A-DA certification. As a result
of the technology transfer, CQWJ has also developed variations of both
gearboxes by its Romax trained design engineers.
With a strong background in industrial manufacturing and ambitions to
become a major wind turbine gearbox supplier, CQWJ approached Romax to
support them in developing their existing capabilities to supply
gearboxes for multi-megawatt turbines.
A two year technology transfer programme was undertaken, with Romax
providing complete technical support, from assessing existing
manufacturing capabilities, through critical engineering training in
design, development, testing and certification.
During the first collaboration for the 1.5MW gearbox, the Chinese
company’s engineers travelled to Romax’s UK head office to undertake an
intensive programme of technical training. This included training for
the use of Romax’s gearbox design software, RomaxWIND, as well as best
practice design and manufacturing procedures. Romax provided a full set
of drawings and full manufacturing, testing, and certification support.
The 2MW gearbox project saw a closer collaboration between two
companies. CQWJ engineers, already trained by Romax in the initial
project, received further gearbox design instruction and advanced
training. Romax engineers led the concept and detailed design, working
alongside counterparts in CQWJ at the detailed design stage.
Following both projects, CQWJ have built up a highly capable
technical team, who can develop variations of the gearboxes
independently, using RomaxWIND design tool. Both gearboxes have now been
successfully tested, and are now in serial production stages with some
already installed. The gearboxes have been supplied to several wind
turbine manufacturers including Baoding Tianwei, New United, and Huayi
Wind.
Mr. Guangfu Li, General Manager of CQWJ, reflected “We chose to work
with Romax Technology because they have very strong technological
capabilities and solid business experience in this field. The technology
transfer programme they have delivered has rapidly accelerated our
capabilities in wind energy, and allowed us to make a time critical move
into wind energy.”
Dr. Xiaobing Hu, Director of Romax China, said “At Romax, we are
dedicated to sharing technical innovation with local manufacturers who,
like CQWJ, have global aspirations. It is a critical activity for the
industry because as more and more local suppliers develop capabilities
to serve a global market, equipment and energy costs will reduce.”
With certification achieved, it is expected the gearboxes will supply
the strong wind energy market in Chinese market, as well as fulfilling
CQWJ’s international export ambitions.