SKF will showcase its new MBx active magnetic bearing series for high-speed centrifugal chillers at Chillventa 2026, held in Nuremberg, Germany, from 13 to 15 October. The series is built to cut lead times and expand production of SKF high-speed motors as demand grows in the data center chiller market.
The MBx magnetic bearing uses automatic winding to optimise cost while maintaining performance. Its modular design allows semi-automated production and faster assembly, which shortens lead times and increases manufacturing capacity for SKF’s magnetically levitated high-speed motors.
The new series targets chiller and compressor manufacturers that must raise cooling capacity while limiting energy use, maintenance and system complexity, as expanding data center capacity places growing demands on cooling. It is part of a wider portfolio for oil-free centrifugal chillers that also includes high-speed motors levitated with magnetic bearing technology, digital controllers, variable-speed drives, condition monitoring and engineering services. Together, these components enable compact, oil-free drive solutions that reduce wear, maintenance and unplanned downtime, with energy efficiency improvements of up to 30 to 40% compared with conventional technologies.
SKF will also present hybrid ceramic bearings, including the new optimised CeraDrive series, for chillers, heat pumps, steam compressors, motors, fans and pumps. Ceramic rolling elements provide electrical insulation and support high-speed operation under demanding lubrication conditions.
The third product line on display is the new Extreme super-precision bearing platform for high-speed centrifugal compressors in chillers, heat pumps and mechanical vapour recompression (MVR) systems. The platform can be optimised for speeds up to 120,000 rpm, a speed factor of 2.4 million ndm, ring contact pressure up to 2.8 GPa and turbine-side temperatures up to 200°C (392°F). The full range will be on display at booth 1-510.
