Composites One China to exhibit at China Composites Expo

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Excerpt: Material distributor Composites One says that Composites One China will be an exhibitor at China Composites Expo in Beijing. The International Composites Industrial Technical Expo, now in its 16th year, will be held September 15 to 17 at the China National Convention Center. “We have found …

Surface coating improves rotor performance

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Excerpt: Bladeskyn, a blade surfacing material for wind turbines, from Blade Dynamics in the U.K. and soon of New Orleans, is said to deliver new levels of coating protection, using fluoropolymers in an innovative film application format. The company says its advantages include 20-year performance, assured q …

American company buys stake in U.K. blade maker

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Excerpt: American Superconductor Corp. says it has acquired a 25% ownership ($8 million) in Blade Dynamics Ltd., a designer and manufacturer of advanced wind turbine blades based on proprietary materials and structural technologies. Founded in the United Kingdom in 2007, Blade Dynamics designs and develops w …

Manufacturing lessons from the wind industry in Spain

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Excerpt: One trend in manufacturing is to procure more than an unfinished component from a supplier. The idea of one-stop shopping has reached manufacturing firms for a good reason: OEMs want shorter supply chains. The fewer shops a part must visit on its way to a finished machine, the more likely it wil …

An intro to torque multipliers

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Excerpt: Or, how a small push can generate high torque There is not much room to maneuver in a nacelle 60m up so when bolt tightening is the task at hand, Norbar Torque Tools, Inc., of Willoughby, Ohio says a torque multiplier can be a better and safer alternative to a long wrench. A torque multiplier i …

Eaton expands in China with $1.5M wind power agreement

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Excerpt: Industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation says it will provide key wind-power technologies to Guodian United Power Technology Co. Ltd., a wind turbine manufacturer in China. The agreement will generate about $1.5 million in revenues annually for the U.S. firm. Eaton’s Hydraulics Group based …

Aeronautica launches U.S. production of 225 and 750 kW turbines

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Excerpt: To celebrate the inaugural American-made commercial wind turbines coming off the production floor this year, Aeronautica Windpower, Plymouth, Mass.,has decided to buck the trend of plain white towers and show off the stars and stripes instead. “The symbolism goes deeper than a paint job,” sa …

Plasma cutter can pierce, sever thick metal

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Excerpt: An 800-A system for cutting thick stainless steel and aluminum is on the market. The HyPerformance Plasma, released by plasma manufacturer Hypertherm, can pierce 3-in. (75mm) and sever 6.25-in. (160mm) thick metal. It can also cut thin metal—including gauge—without having to switch to …

President praises American manufacturing

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Excerpt: President Obama recently visited a Wisconsin manufacturer of large energy storage modules to learn more about renewable energy platforms, and highlight his clean energy policies. The President expressed praise for companies leading the way in clean energy manufacturing and helping the U.S. econ …

Lengthy blades no longer a problem

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Excerpt: An industrial hauling company has developed a flatbed semi-trailer that can transport wind turbine blades up to 62 m. The Goldhofer SPZ-P 3AAA has the capacity to extend from 20 to 62 m, and so can carry wind turbine blades in their shipping frames. A deep extendable spine allows the trailer …