This project aims to develop a complete solution for robotic based inspection and repair of wind turbine blades. Firstly, we will integrate thermography and shearography with laser heating, so that advanced lock-in techniques will be achieved for up-tower inspection of both surface and subsurface defects within wind turbine blades. (Current techniques including drone-based are limited to surface defects only).

Secondly, a compact and efficient robotic deployment system will be developed which will hold the inspection unit and a robotic repair arm. The robotic system will be operated by engineers working on the ground. When defects are detected and deemed reparable, the repair arm of the whole system will be activated to rapidly repair the faulty area of composite components by resistance welding for joining and/or disassembly.

Comparing to the traditional adhesively bonding for repair, the proposed resistance welding with optimised processing would significantly reduce the curing cycles/time with much fewer preparation for surface treatment steps while it will be more easily designed to integrate with robotic arm. The whole system will be operated remotely by engineers working on the ground without high risk exposure to working at height on wind turbine blades. Field trials on wind turbines will be conducted to validate the system.

You are very welcome to read more on the projects website:
projectromain.org

The aim of this project, together with FORCE Technology and DTU – Technical University of Denmark, is to make it possible to inspect wind turbine blades without having to remove them.

We are combining Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to reduce expenses when inspecting and analyzing wind turbine blades.

You are very welcome to read more on Innovation Fund Denmark’s website:
https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/investments/investment-stories/danish-research-takes-risk-management-wind-farms-new-heights

You can also find more info on the projects website:
www.aindt.dk

The objective of this project is to demonstrate to the market that the robot meets any demand set forth by wind turbine owners and manufactures. To document its performance and, thereby, become accepted as the new industry standard for wind turbine blade repair.

Rope Ropotics has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the grant agreement No. 848747 – WindTTRo.

You are very welcome to read more on our dedicated H2020 website        www.windtrro.roperobotics.com

This project aims to overcome the additional development and logistical challenges associated with maintenance of offshore wind turbines and to demonstrate the functionality of the robot under real offshore conditions, carrying out full repairs of several turbines. The demonstration activities will focus on the most prominent issue, leading edge repair, but the robot will be developed to enable all repairs on the blades (and eventually other O&M tasks).

Rope Robotics has received funding from the EUDP (Energiteknologisk Udviklings- og Demonstrationsprogram) and is joint effort with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy under the project journal ref: 64018-0557

http://windturreprobot.roperobotics.com/index.php/the-project/

Robot-automated maintenance of wind turbines

Rope Robotics received funding from the Markedsmodningsfonden under the grant agreement ref: 2017-11595.

The scope of the project was a further development of the Robot and tools, as well as testing in wind turbines.

The project started in 2017

Summer 2019 – end of project
We have with great pleasure finalized our project funded by Markeds Modningsfonden. It has been a well-functioning collaboration and we would like to raise a big thank for the support.

Robotic solution to service of wind turbine blades

This project was funded by Innovationsfondens INNOBOOSTER program with grant number 7041-00135B. The project was successful completed in 2018.