Product category:
Monitoring and sensor equipment and systems
News Release from: Flir Systems | Subject: ThermaCAM P20 thermal imaging camera.
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 May 2005
Thermal imaging checks blade mould
temperature
A thermal imaging camera is used to ensure a temperature consistency in a wind turbine blade mould of +/-1.5 deg C from the tip to the root of the blade.
Blades for wind turbines are sizeable objects, often 40m or more in length They are made from a high-strength composite that is layered into a mould
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Jun 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Heat sensing to pinpoint faults is now for hire
For many companies a 'thermascan' is a name applied to a professional thermographic survey that pinpoints faults before they become fatalities.
Updating thermal imaging saves energy costs
The Climate Change Levy is focussing the attention of many companies on improving plant efficiency to reduce energy costs. Thermal imaging cameras help identify hotspots and so save energy.
Embedded in the structure of the mould are zones of heating elements that initiate the curing process.
A uniform cure is critical to the ultimate durability and performance of the blade and at wind turbine manufacturer, Vestas, the quality of this process is assured by a FLIR Systems ThermaCAM P20 thermal imaging camera.
Sustainable energy is very much a buzzword as the Kyoto Agreement comes into force and Vestas Technology UK, based on the Isle of Wight, is riding high on this initiative.
Vestas' worldwide installed base runs into several thousands and demand for its products is increasing year on year.
Five basic products complete Vesta's product programme ranging from landbased models generating upwards of 850kW to offshore turbines with outputs of 4.2MW.
Such is the importance of the cure uniformity that the company's quality standards call for a temperature consistency in the mould of +/-1.5 deg C from the tip to the root of the blade.
The cure temperature is in fact only 30 - 35 deg C and the process largely self-fulfilling.
However if, due to a faulty element, one section of the blade cures quicker than another the overall service life and performance of the structure could be compromised.
"Using thermocouples to monitor mould heaters would simply be impractical for us," explained Vesta's Blade Structure Engineer, Andrew Hedges.
"With one sweep of the FLIR camera, we can instantly see if any of the elements are not performing as they should." This process is now repeated every time the mould is taken out of service for routine maintenance. Request a free brochure from Flir Systems ...
• Flir Systems: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
