Aerospace knowledge creates solutions for safe and fast wind power production

Through automation of a new ultrasonic technique, Bodycote Materials Testing AB (BMT AB) in Sweden has developed a new inspection system. It has been specially adapted for the inspection of wind turbine blades. The inspection system – Windblast™ was officially introduced to the international market at Husum Wind in Germany between 18-22 September and has already been ordered by three major manufacturers of wind turbine blades.

BMT AB is part of Bodycote International plc., with more than 300 facilities in 30 different countries.

BMT AB is headquartered in Linköping Sweden. It is an independent knowledge company with a broad range of consultancy and testing services within materials technology. A relatively new niche is the development of fully or semi-automatic inspection systems, completely tailored to the customer’s needs. The demand for this type of equipment is increasing, due to increased productivity, whilst at the same time improving the quality of the inspections carried out.

Advanced inspection methods for composite materials and fibre reinforced plastics, are today commonly used within Aerospace industry. High demands on strength and safety have been the driving force for the development of both new materials and methods for quality assurance in production and service, which is now spreading to other businesses. Via experience in the Aerospace industry, knowledge can be used in new technical fields, e.g. wind power and rail, where the same kind of technical solutions are beginning to be more commonly used. The manufacture of composites and the survey of composite production are often demanding in both manpower and production time. Therefore there is a need to rationalize the frequency of inspections during production, in order to remain competitive.

Lars Åberg, MD of BMT AB: “This product is a great example of how knowledge and experience from the Aerospace industry can be applied to other business areas in an international market. Similar composite materials and inspection methods, that are more commonly used in the wind power industry today, have been used in Aerospace for several years. By using the experience from that business area, combined with the latest ultrasonics technology and the extensive use of automation, we have succeeded in creating a product that saves both production time and increases safety within the wind power manufacturing sector.”

For further information:
Lars Gustafson Operation Manager NDT 46-13-169158
Lars Åberg Managing Director 46-13-169018
www.bodycote-mt.se