Bearing casings alongside the new machineThe establishment of
Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group Co Ltd in 1987 coincided with the golden era of China’s precision bearing industry. Since then, the company has pursued technological innovation and rigorous quality control to become a major player in the global bearing market.
Tianma Bearing is unique as the only precision bearing manufacturer worldwide with its own steel plant, giving it complete control over the value chain from raw materials to finished products. Its TMB-branded bearings are widely used in wind energy generation, rail transport, and new energy vehicles.
The company has achieved particular success in the wind power sector, where it leads the domestic market for precision bearings for wind turbines and holds a significant global share, especially for azimuth and pitch bearings. In 2023, Tianma Bearing took a decisive step toward producing main shaft bearings for wind turbines by acquiring a
Starrag Berthiez RVU 2300/220 vertical grinding machine.
Mu Bin, assistant to the chairman and technical director at Zhejiang Tianma Bearing, said: “The first collaboration between Tianma Bearing and Starrag took place in 2020, when we purchased a vertical grinding centre with additional turning function and a maximum machining diameter of 4.7m for our Chengdu plant. After the equipment was put into use, its operation far exceeded our expectations. Not only has it significantly increased machining efficiency, but it also guarantees outstanding product quality for us.”
Pictured right: inside the work area of the RVU machineThis successful partnership laid the foundation for further cooperation. When Tianma Bearing sought to strengthen its research and production capabilities for wind turbine main shaft bearings, Starrag was the natural choice.
Main shaft bearings are among the most critical components of wind turbines, demanding exceptional precision and reliability. Starrag’s Berthiez RVU vertical grinding machine has proven indispensable in meeting these requirements, playing a vital role in both production and R&D.
Since its installation, the machine has transformed operations at Tianma Bearing. Machining time for a sample has been reduced from three to four days to just four to five hours, dramatically improving efficiency and shortening development cycles.
Proven its worthMu Bin added: “The wind turbine bearings place extremely high demands on reliability and service life, particularly for the main shaft bearings. The vertical grinding machine from Starrag is characterised by high reliability and guaranteed machining quality, high precision, and great flexibility. It has proven its worth in machining new product samples and complex parts.”
The Berthiez RVU machine features a rigid bed, advanced control system, and high automation, ensuring precision and stability. Its turret and tool-changing system enhance efficiency and adaptability for complex workpieces of varying sizes and shapes.
Ma Xingfa, chairman of Zhejiang Tianma Bearing Group, commented: “Starrag’s equipment is like an assurance pill. Not only are we completely relaxed when we use them, but we also have the certainty that the product quality is right. The machine has allayed many customers’ concerns about using locally produced products and has strengthened their confidence in Tianma Bearing.”
Pictured left: the Starrag Bertiez machine at ZhejiangMa Xingfa emphasised that Starrag’s technology has become a driving force for innovation at Tianma Bearing, raising standards across all production steps. He also praised Starrag’s professionalism during installation and commissioning: “Two French engineers travelled thousands of kilometres to supervise the work on site. The machine was assembled to a perfect quality within the planned time. The professional technology and rigorous attitude of the staff deeply touched us.”
Looking ahead, Ma Xingfa confirmed that Starrag will remain a priority supplier: “As the ultimate guarantee for the product quality of Tianma Bearing, Starrag makes us feel very at ease. When purchasing new equipment in the future, we will still prioritise Starrag.”
Liu Xin, general manager of Starrag China, said: “Tianma Bearing is an outstanding company that attaches great importance to product innovation, efficiency improvement, and cost management. I am very pleased to be able to use Starrag’s equipment, knowledge, and experience to help Tianma Bearing achieve high quality and efficient production. At the same time, we look forward to further cooperation between the two parties to jointly drive forward the innovation and development of high-quality bearing production technology.”