JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #54 - January 2010 - 32

FEATURE “Wind Energy” Workflow optimization for rotor blades manufacturing When manufacturing glass fibre rotors, the prepreg positioning process can be markedly accelerated by the use of laser projectors. Thanks to the innovative multi-tasking feature of LAP’s CAD-PRO laser projectors, teams working on a blade can perform different activities simultaneously and independently of each other. This optimizes the workflow, especially during the manufacture of large components. Colour makes for high safety LAP is the only manufacturer of laser projectors capable of projecting three colours (green/red/yellow) at the same time. Through this feature, areas requiring special attention can be highlighted. By changing the colour of the complete contour from red to yellow or green, the system can also indicate the work status, i.e. which parts have to be taken care of next, which jobs are in progress, and which have already been completed. For optimal visibility of the contour, the colour which best reflects on the colour of the base material can be selected. A contour is projected onto a surface by means of a laser beam deflected by two electrically-actuated rotary mirrors (galvanometers). This takes place at such a high speed that the human eye sees the contour as a continuous line. At a distance of four metres above the working surface, the laser projectors achieve a projection accuracy of +/- 0.5 mm. The projectors are usually mounted underneath the workshop ceiling or on a special supporting structure. The LAP laser heads are hermetically sealed in order to prevent dirt, e.g. dust, from entering. Variations in ambient temperature are compensated by an active thermoelectric air conditioning system. This solution guarantees a long service life of the laser modules. Thanks to their compact and AXEL RIECKMANN, SALES MANAGER INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS, LAP GMBH LASER APPLIKATIONEN T he LAP CAD-PRO 3D laser projectors can be used in the manufacture of rotor blades for positioning glass fibre prepregs with an accuracy of a millimetre. They project the contours of the to-bepositioned mats and built-in parts onto the curved surfaces of the casting mould with utmost precision. In so doing, they indicate not only the positions of the fibre mats but also where flanges, webs, profiles The green laser template shows the lay-up and receptors position of the prepeg and the red laser line marks the position of the lightning arrester have to go. This eliminates the time-consuming procedure of manual contour measurements and the need to handle templates. For rotor blades up to lengths of 65 metres, LAP offers a multi-head system, i.e. several projectors with overlapping ranges covering the complete blade length. Thanks to their operating accuracy in the millimetre range and the high reproducibility, the projectors guarantee the exact placement of all parts in the desired position. With the multi-tasking software, the exact contour which is Galvanometer needed by each individual team for its current job can be s deflect the projected onto the work surface. All teams work laser point precisely to independently of each other. This is how the system the required optimizes workflows and accelerates production. position jec composites magazine / No54 January 2010

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #54 - January 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #54 - January 2010