Wind Turbine Blade Preform Positioning for Accurate Mold Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The positioning of preform components on a mold surface for wind turbine blades is cumbersome due to their weight and requires difficult postures, and using lifting devices for accurate placement is disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
A lifting arrangement with a carrying structure and positioning device, equipped with gripping devices and user handling means, allows manual control for precise placement of preform components on the mold surface, reducing physical demands on workers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If preform components are positioned by hand, then workers can perform corrections or adjustments, but the heavy weight makes it cumbersome and limits positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A lifting arrangement with a positioning device and gripping device is introduced as an intermediary tool. The gripping device securely holds the preform component while the positioning device enables controlled movement to the mold surface. This intermediary system eliminates the direct manual handling of heavy components while allowing workers to perform corrections through integrated positioning mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If lifting devices are used to position preform components, then physical demands on workers are reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device incorporates self-adjusting mechanisms that automatically fine-tune the position of the preform component on the mold surface. The system includes sensors and feedback mechanisms that detect positioning deviations and make real-time corrections, enabling the device to self-correct without continuous manual intervention while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting arrangement includes feedback mechanisms such as position sensors and control systems that continuously monitor the location of the preform component. When the component approaches the mold surface, the feedback system provides real-time data to adjust the positioning, ensuring accurate placement while reducing the physical effort required by workers.
3Manufacturing precision
If preform components are positioned manually, then accurate placement can be achieved, but workers must adopt difficult postures to reach the central region of the mold surface
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning device utilizes a robotic arm or articulated mechanism that moves in multiple dimensions (X, Y, Z axes and rotational joints). This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the device to reach the central region of the mold surface from various angles and positions, eliminating the need for workers to adopt difficult postures while maintaining precise placement accuracy through controlled motion in each dimension.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for positioning at least one preform component (4) on a mold surface (3) of a mold (2), wherein the preform component (4) is adapted to be used for manufacturing a wind turbine blade or a preform element for a wind turbine blade, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - providing a lifting arrangement (5), comprising a carrying structure (6) and at least one positioning device (19) arranged thereon, wherein the positioning device (19) comprises at least one gripping device (31) and at least one user handling means (37), - moving the positioning device (19) such that the gripping device (31) is brought in contact with the preform component (4), - gripping the preform component (4) by the gripping device (31), - moving the positioning device (19) such that the preform component (4) is brought to a designated position on the mold surface (3), wherein the movement of the positioning device (19) is controlled by a manual operation of a user (38) on the user handling means (37), and - releasing the preform component (4) from the gripping device (31).