Research center for carbon fiber blades

Low-cost carbon fiber for industrial applications, including advanced wind turbine blades, is the goal for an expanding chemical company. Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., says it will expand its renewable and alternative energy reach in the state thanks to more than $108 million in business tax credits and grants. In addition, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority is expected to approve $103 million in tax credits and incentives for Dow’s Powerhouse Solar Shingle project and Kokam advanced battery manufacturing facility.
A $20 million carbon-fiber project will create a center focused on developing low-cost carbon fiber for use in the production of advanced wind turbine blades and in transportation applications. The company is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop the material over about three years, said Steve Bakkal, the Wind Energy Sector Development director for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The project will be sited in one of Dow’s existing facilities. And while it won’t immediately create jobs, it will have job creation potential later, drawing wind turbine blade manufacturers and other companies who can use the carbon fiber to the Great Lakes Bay Region, he said.

Long and Wide CNC Machine Blades

The third generation of a multi-processing equipment, RAPA G3, reduces the machining and finishing time spent on large parts, such as turbine blades. The robotic machine-tool supports a variety of tasks such as scanning, measuring and inspection, and cutting. Tools include spray heads, water-jet cutters, chopper guns, and finishing tools. RAPA G3 uses double modular rack-and-pinion drive from Parker Hannifin to create any X-axis length required. The drive moves a  workholding platform near a workpiece for a KUKA robot that holds the tool. The robot  for blades works over a 50 x 15 x 6-m area. A maximum X-axis feedrate hits 70,000 mm/ min. The unit can also scan, measure, and inspect its machining and finishing work quickly and repeatedly. What once took 100 h manually is now done in 10 h. A vacuum with spindle shroud is available to capture dust and chips. A tool changer holds 12 to 16 items. The machine’s vision guidance system has an accuracy of less of 1 mm for cutting tools, spray heads, water-jet cutters, chopper guns, and finishing tools.

IDPSA, Madrid, Spain
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