#SKF #Germany #Nuremberg #Chillventa #MBx Magnetic Bearing

SKF's Revolutionary Approach to Energy-Efficient Cooling

At the upcoming Chillventa 2026 trade fair, which will take place in Nuremberg, Germany, from October 13 to 15, SKF will showcase a suite of innovative technologies aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reliability in cooling and heat pump systems. Leading the charge will be SKF's new MBx active magnetic bearing series, specifically designed for high-speed chillers.

An astounding 20% of global energy consumption is attributed to overcoming friction, a key issue that SKF aims to address. As the need for data center capacity continues to swell, the demand for effective cooling solutions becomes ever more critical, thereby placing additional pressures on energy systems. Manufacturers of chillers and compressors are now faced with the challenge of boosting cooling capabilities while simultaneously curtailing energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and system complexity.

Thomas Grubbauer, SKF's Global Fluid Machinery Industry Manager, emphasizes the expanding role of cooling systems in ensuring reliable and energy-efficient industrial and digital infrastructure. "Our solutions are crafted to aid clients in developing higher efficiency standards through our advanced ceramic and magnetic technologies. These innovations are essential for high-speed systems tailored for data centers, heat pumps, and other demanding applications," he states.

SKF possesses a comprehensive portfolio of high-speed motors that leverage magnetic bearing technology. Their offerings include active magnetic bearings, digital controllers, variable-speed drives, and advanced condition monitoring services. This holistic approach enables the creation of compact and oil-free drive mechanisms for centrifugal chillers and other high-speed applications, achieving energy efficiency gains of 30-40% compared to conventional solutions.

The MBx magnetic bearing is not only designed to optimize performance but also focuses on cost-effectiveness. Key innovations such as automatic winding enhance its functionality, while a modular design allows for semi-automated production. This advancement facilitates quicker assembly processes and expands SKF’s manufacturing capabilities to meet the burgeoning demand from the data center chiller market.

In addition, SKF will exhibit its hybrid ceramic bearings, featuring the newly optimized CeraDrive bearing series. Designed for a range of applications including chillers, heat pumps, steam compressors, motors, and fans, these ceramic rolling elements provide excellent electrical insulation and enable high-speed operations under challenging lubrication conditions.

Further strengthening its presence in the market, SKF will introduce its Extreme super-precision bearings platform. This cutting-edge solution targets high-speed centrifugal compressors utilized in chillers, heat pumps, and mechanical vapor recompression systems. Importantly, this flexible bearing platform can be tailored to meet extreme operational demands, accommodating speeds of up to 120,000 rpm, ring contact pressures reaching 2.8 GPa, and turbine side temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius. These innovations are set to open new possibilities in compressor design.

Join SKF at Chillventa 2026 to explore these groundbreaking technologies and discover how they can significantly enhance energy efficiency and reliability in your operations.

Event Details:

• - Date: October 13-15, 2026
• - Location: Nuremberg, Germany
• - Booth Number: 1-510

For additional inquiries, please reach out to SKF’s Press Relations contact:

• - Carl Bjernstam
• - Phone: +46 31-337 2517
• - Mobile: +46 722 201 893
• - Email: [email protected]

This article is generated based on the information provided by SKF and aims to inform readers about the advancements being made in cooling technologies and energy efficiency solutions within the industry.