Method for manufacturing a pitch bearing or a yaw bearing of a wind turbine via additive manufacturing

A method for manufacturing a slewing ring bearing for a wind turbine wherein the slewing ring bearing engages with a drive mechanism, the method comprising:

• forming an outer race of the slewing ring bearing from a base material;
• forming an inner race of the slewing ring bearing from the base material, at least one of the inner race or the outer race defining a circumferential surface comprising a plurality of gear teeth;
• arranging the inner race within the outer race;
• providing a plurality of roller elements between the outer and inner races;
• applying a coating material to all or less than all of the plurality of gear teeth via an additive manufacturing process, the coating material being different than the base material, the coating material providing at least one of increased hardness, strength, or durability to the base material;
• applying the coating material to at least one of the outer race or the inner race via the additive manufacturing process;
• and
• further comprising machining the coating material from at least one of the inner race, the outer race, or the plurality of gear teeth.