FORCE Technology has announced the latest development in automated ultrasonic scanning for non-destructive onsite inspection of rotor blades: the fully integrated P-scan AMS-64 scanner for rotor blades. It is a portable scanner system which can be mounted on rotor blades of all types in all worldwide locations.
It provides a complete, deep penetration into the lowest and strongest layers of the blade structure. The spar cap areas of the main carrier can thus be monitored as perfectly as the adhesive joints of the front and rear edges.
The main purpose of the AMS-64 portable scanner is a full automatic ultrasonic scanning under various conditions. It can be adapted to all blade shapes and wing shapes. Handling, transportation, shipping and installation of automated non-destructive testing on site can be easily accomplished.
The entire system is packaged with all necessary components in two handy carrying containers made of aluminium. It can be quickly unpacked and placed for operation. For onsite use only a skilled operator is required. The entire scanner mechanism has been developed from the viewpoint of weight reduction, wherein CFRP composites were used.
When the scanner is mounted on a rotor blade, it is held by vacuum suction cups in a lateral position, in order to get an extremely stable platform for a highly accurate scanning of surfaces and lines on a segment with two meters wide tension. Larger areas can be covered in segments. The system reaches the spar cap areas of the main carrier as well as conveying and trailing edges.
All kinds of hidden structural defects can be detected, monitored and measured in 3D-fibres from laminar defects, voids, bubbles and cracks up to erroneous fibre pathways with fibre unintended waviness (folds) in UD layers of glass and carbon fibre.
The new scanner from FORCE Technology will be presented and demonstrated at the Husum Wind Energy 2012, in hall 1, at stand 1D10.
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Offshore WIND staff, August 17, 2012; Image: Siemens