Wind power is now a global enterprise that is continuing to grow at an approximate annual rate of 20-25 per cent
 
Sandvik Coromant is stepping up its efforts to support manufacturers operating in the buoyant wind energy sector, offering a greater range of highly competitive, component-specific cutting tool and tooling system solutions, as well as a wealth of applications knowledge and technical support.
 
Wind power is now a global enterprise, which despite the weak economic conditions recorded over the past 18 months, continues to grow at an approximate annual rate of 20-25 per cent. Despite rapid growth in the US and Asia, Europe today remains the largest market globally for wind turbine installations.
 
As fossil fuels continue to diminish, Sandvik Coromant fully supports the world’s search for alternative and sustainable energy resources in order to provide a better environmental future for generations to come. However, wind power will only become mainstream technology if it can prove to be a competitive alternative. Wind turbine OEMs and their supply chains are already aggressive in their quest for innovative manufacturing technology solutions that can provide the competitive gain required to win and sustain long term contracts with highly selective energy companies.
 
For manufacturers keen to try new machining techniques and strategies, Sandvik Coromant is able to demonstrate ‘best in class’ products and capabilities, delivering at least three unique selling points over competitor companies.
 
First of all there is Sandvik Coromant’s philosophy of providing close customer relations and the ability to understanding customer needs.  There is also the industry-recognised ‘yellow coat’ manufacturing partner philosophy of enhanced productivity and the renowned Productivity Centre training. Sandvik Coromant’s applications knowledge is also vital, particularly in a fast growing industry such as wind power where customers need supplier specialists more than in mature industries, which have had time to develop knowledge internally over a number of years. Also, vital is Sandvik Coromant’s deep hole machining expertise, which can boast half a century of knowledge to provide important advantages in the machining of components such as main shafts for wind turbines.
 
Overall it means Sandvik Coromant is far more than simply a supplier; it is able to develop machining strategies with its customers, help out with special solutions or optimise processes to provide a genuine impact on bottom line profit. In fact, Sandvik Coromant can already offer complete solutions packages for selected wind turbine components that include connecting rings, main shafts, hubs and planetary carriers. Specific solutions for all wind turbine parts will be continually introduced from Sandvik Coromant and is anticipated for completion by 2012.  This will place Sandvik Coromant in the vanguard of wind power manufacturing technology specialists.
 
An electronic version of Sandvik Coromant’s windmill production brochure ‘A great take-off’ can be downloaded from the company’s website at www.sandvik.coromant.com.