Lateral Support Member for Wind Turbine Blade Mould Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current production systems for elongated products like wind turbine blades face limitations in productivity, flexibility, and controllability due to interference from central rails during the rotational movement of mould assemblies, which restricts accessibility and efficiency in automated manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A transport system with an elongated support member positioned laterally between mould assemblies, allowing for flexible positioning and movement without interference, coupled with a mould drive mechanism that can rotate or translate to form a composite mould assembly, enabling superior accessibility and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a centre rail is positioned laterally between the movable and non-movable mould assemblies to support the transport system, then the transport system can position the movable part along the mould assemblies, but the central position of the rail significantly interferes with the rotational movement of the movable mould assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned at lateral positions that are not central, effectively moving the support structure to a different spatial dimension or location. This allows the movable mould assembly to rotate around its axis without the support members interfering with the rotational path, while still providing necessary support for the transport system to position movable parts along the mould assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are extracted from the central position and relocated to non-central lateral positions. This removal of the obstructing element from the critical rotational zone eliminates the interference problem while maintaining the essential support function for the transport system.
2Productivity
If the movable mould assembly is rotated around an axis of rotation to close the composite mould assembly, then the two halves of the elongated product can be joined, but the rotational movement is significantly interfered with by the centrally positioned rail
Solution Approach 1:
The axis of rotation is positioned such that it does not intersect with the support members, effectively changing the spatial relationship between the rotational path and the support structure. This dimensional arrangement allows the movable mould assembly to rotate freely to close the composite mould assembly without interference from the support members.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are taken out from the central rotational zone and repositioned laterally, removing the obstruction that would interfere with the rotational movement required to join the two halves of the elongated product.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transport system comprises a centre rail positioned laterally between the movable and non-movable mould assemblies, then the movable part can be positioned at any location along the length of the elongated mould, but the central position significantly interferes with the rotational movement
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned at multiple lateral positions rather than centrally, creating a distributed support structure that provides positioning flexibility along the length of the mould assemblies without creating a central obstruction to rotational movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is segmented into multiple support members positioned at different lateral locations, replacing a single central rail. This segmentation allows the transport system to maintain positioning versatility while avoiding interference with the rotational movement of the movable mould assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A production facility for forming elongated products, in particular wind turbine blades, includes elongated mould assemblies that may be accessed on the basis of an appropriate transport system which includes at least one support member laterally positioned between the elongated mould assemblies. The support member is positioned so as to enable a rotational movement of an arm or is configured to change position or includes a rotatable carrier element. The support member may be positioned in a non-interference position, in which one or both mould assemblies can be moved into a position so as to form a composite mould assembly.