The localization process of high-end bearings
Technology research and development has made breakthroughs: In terms of material research and development, the Institute of Metal Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutions have successfully developed ultra-pure bearing steel with a purity of up to 99.999%, reaching the international advanced level, filling the domestic gap, and providing high-quality raw materials for high-end bearing manufacturing. In terms of manufacturing equipment, China Aviation Industry Corporation has developed the first high-speed, high-precision, and high-rigidity bearing grinder in China, with a technical level that is internationally leading, providing strong support for the precision processing of high-end bearings. In addition, after years of technical research, Luoyang Bearing Factory has developed high-end bearings suitable for high-speed rail. After 1.2 million kilometers of on-board tests, the mirror swing error is controlled at 0.7‰ mm, reaching the international advanced standard.
The scale of the industry has gradually expanded: Some domestic leading enterprises such as Wazhou Group and Luoyang Bearing have continuously increased their investment in technological transformation and innovation, forming a certain scale of high-end bearing production capacity. For example, Wazhou Group has built a wind power bearing production base with the largest variety of bearings, the largest production scale, the most complete supporting units, and the largest power generation capacity in the world, and has the ability to provide supporting bearings for 5 MW wind turbines.
The localization rate has increased: With the advancement of technology and the development of the industry, the localization rate of high-end bearings has gradually increased. In some fields, such as wind power bearings, domestic bearings have gradually formed large-scale and serialized production, and can meet some market demand in yaw bearings and variable pitch bearings. According to relevant plans, the self-sufficiency rate of high-end bearings will exceed 40% in 2025.
Challenges of localization of high-end bearings
Technical level
Accuracy and stability need to be improved: High-end bearings have extremely high precision requirements. For example, high-end bearings in Germany, Japan and other countries can reach micron or even sub-micron levels in processing accuracy, while domestic bearings still have gaps in accuracy consistency and stability, resulting in the application of domestic bearings in some high-end equipment with strict precision requirements.
Complex design and manufacturing process: The design and manufacturing of high-end bearings requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors, involving complex contact mechanics, lubrication theory, tribology and other multidisciplinary knowledge. Foreign companies have formed a mature design and manufacturing process system after long-term accumulation in these aspects, while domestic companies are still insufficient in process details and experience accumulation, which affects the performance and quality of high-end bearings.
Relatively backward detection technology: High-precision detection equipment and advanced detection technology are the key to ensuring the quality of high-end bearings. Foreign countries have advanced instruments and perfect detection standards for bearing detection, which can accurately detect and evaluate the various performance of bearings. Domestic detection technology and equipment are relatively backward and it is difficult to meet the quality control requirements in the production process of high-end bearings.
Market level
Low brand recognition: Internationally renowned brands of high-end bearings have a high reputation and reputation in the global market. After long-term market verification, customers have high trust in the performance and reliability of their products. Domestic high-end bearing brands have little influence in the international market. Customers have doubts about their performance and quality and are more inclined to choose international brands, which brings difficulties to the market promotion of domestic high-end bearings.
Fierce competition in the international market: The high-end bearing market is a highly competitive market. Foreign companies have first-mover advantages in technology, brand, market share, etc., and have formed a relatively stable market pattern. When entering the international market, domestic high-end bearing companies face fierce competition from international competitors, including price competition, technical barriers, intellectual property protection and other challenges.
Difficult standard certification: The international high-end bearing market has strict standards and certification systems, such as ISO, DIN and other standards. Domestic enterprises have low participation and insufficient voice in standard setting, which leads to many difficulties for domestic bearing products in the process of international standard certification. The certification procedures are complicated, time-consuming and costly, which restricts domestic high-end bearings from entering the international market.