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Prepregs for Chinese wind turbines
TECHNOLOGY
Robot inspects blades
Soy-based resin
A ROBOT has been developed to inspect composite wind turbine blades in minute detail, on location.
REICHHOLD HAS introduced a soy oil based resin, Polylite® 31325-00, suitable for sheet/ bulk moulding compound (SMC/BMC) and pultrusion.
Developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, Germany, the RIWEA robot is said to register any crack and delamination in the material and relay their exact positions. It also checks the bond with the central strut. Rotor blades, usually made from glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP), have to be inspected at regular intervals. Blades can be up to 60 m in length and are often placed in inhospitable
areas. This is not a problem for the robot, which can pull itself up ropes and can climb wind turbines of any size, on- or offshore. The robot’s inspection system features an infrared radiator conducting heat to the surface of the blade. A high-resolution thermal camera can then record the temperature pattern and thereby register flaws in the material. An ultrasonic system and high resolution camera enable the robot to detect damage hidden to the human eye. Fraunhofer IFF; www.iff.fraunhofer.de
Any finish for composites A FINISHING method from Composiflex of Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, is said to remove limitations on the appearance of composite components. “This finishing method is a unique cross between painting and printing processes,” says a Composiflex spokesperson. “This dedicated system was specified through collaboration with an expert in custom finishing equipment and methods. The process is prevalent in other industries, but not among manufacturers
The non-promoted, medium reactive, low viscosity unsaturated polyester resin is derived in part from renewable resources (25%). It is intended as a general purpose moulding resin, and is said to yield laminates with mechanical properties and performance similar to general purpose SMC, BMC and pultrusion resins. Reichhold, of North Carolina, USA, says applications for the product include window lineals, appliance components, agricultural Class A body panels and electrical boxes. Reichhold; www.reichhold.com
Prepregs for Chinese wind turbines GURIT has entered a contract for supplying prepreg materials to a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer. Gurit, headquartered in Wattwill, Switzerland, will produce the prepreg materials locally at a production site in Tianjin, China. The multi-million Swiss Franc contract specifies numerous prepreg and formulated products to be supplied over a number of years. The identity of the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer has not been disclosed. Gurit; www.gurit.com
of composite medical components.” Composiflex says the process is ideal for designing composite medical equipment such as cradles, overlays and related accessories that previously have been limited to clear coating, silk-screening or painting. The process allows for almost any pattern or design from rich wood grain to a “brightlycoloured, paediatric-friendly look.” Composiflex; www.composiflex.com
DIAB sets up facility in Dubai CORE materials specialist DIAB, headquartered in Sweden, is establishing a facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to support customers in the Middle East region. In addition to being a sales operation, the new facility will
www.reinforcedplastics.com
RP5302p9_13.indd 13
also include DIAB Technologies personnel who will assist customers in the region with the introduction of new processing techniques such as Core Infusion™ and ‘ready to use’ core kits. DIAB; www.diabgroup.com
MARCH 2009
REINFORCEDplastics
13
04/03/2009 10:54:00
Robot inspects blades
Soy-based resin
A ROBOT has been developed to inspect composite wind turbine blades in minute detail, on location.
REICHHOLD HAS introduced a soy oil based resin, Polylite® 31325-00, suitable for sheet/ bulk moulding compound (SMC/BMC) and pultrusion.
Developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, Germany, the RIWEA robot is said to register any crack and delamination in the material and relay their exact positions. It also checks the bond with the central strut. Rotor blades, usually made from glass fibre reinforced plastic (GRP), have to be inspected at regular intervals. Blades can be up to 60 m in length and are often placed in inhospitable
areas. This is not a problem for the robot, which can pull itself up ropes and can climb wind turbines of any size, on- or offshore. The robot’s inspection system features an infrared radiator conducting heat to the surface of the blade. A high-resolution thermal camera can then record the temperature pattern and thereby register flaws in the material. An ultrasonic system and high resolution camera enable the robot to detect damage hidden to the human eye. Fraunhofer IFF; www.iff.fraunhofer.de
Any finish for composites A FINISHING method from Composiflex of Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, is said to remove limitations on the appearance of composite components. “This finishing method is a unique cross between painting and printing processes,” says a Composiflex spokesperson. “This dedicated system was specified through collaboration with an expert in custom finishing equipment and methods. The process is prevalent in other industries, but not among manufacturers
The non-promoted, medium reactive, low viscosity unsaturated polyester resin is derived in part from renewable resources (25%). It is intended as a general purpose moulding resin, and is said to yield laminates with mechanical properties and performance similar to general purpose SMC, BMC and pultrusion resins. Reichhold, of North Carolina, USA, says applications for the product include window lineals, appliance components, agricultural Class A body panels and electrical boxes. Reichhold; www.reichhold.com
Prepregs for Chinese wind turbines GURIT has entered a contract for supplying prepreg materials to a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer. Gurit, headquartered in Wattwill, Switzerland, will produce the prepreg materials locally at a production site in Tianjin, China. The multi-million Swiss Franc contract specifies numerous prepreg and formulated products to be supplied over a number of years. The identity of the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer has not been disclosed. Gurit; www.gurit.com
of composite medical components.” Composiflex says the process is ideal for designing composite medical equipment such as cradles, overlays and related accessories that previously have been limited to clear coating, silk-screening or painting. The process allows for almost any pattern or design from rich wood grain to a “brightlycoloured, paediatric-friendly look.” Composiflex; www.composiflex.com
DIAB sets up facility in Dubai CORE materials specialist DIAB, headquartered in Sweden, is establishing a facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to support customers in the Middle East region. In addition to being a sales operation, the new facility will
www.reinforcedplastics.com
RP5302p9_13.indd 13
also include DIAB Technologies personnel who will assist customers in the region with the introduction of new processing techniques such as Core Infusion™ and ‘ready to use’ core kits. DIAB; www.diabgroup.com
MARCH 2009
REINFORCEDplastics
13
04/03/2009 10:54:00