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Blade program proves itself to startup

By Nic Sharpley | August 24, 2012

Manufacturer, Global Blade Technology (GBT) is producing 26.5-m blades through its Affordable Blade Development program in Evansville, Indiana. The current capacity is about two sets of blades per month.

Less than a year ago, turbine manufacturer Aeronautica Windpower faced the dilemma of how to build a specially designed blade to power its upcoming 54-750kW turbines. “We had a beautiful new optimized blade designed by Wetzel Engineering, Lawrence, Kansas, but getting it built in this country on a startup budget was proving to be difficult,” says Walt Wunder, president of Aeronautica. “We were determined to build our product in the U.S. and were able to work with GBT to come up with some pretty innovative ways to get it financed and built. We had to get creative, but we got it done.”

GBT built the molds, tooling, and the entire manufacturing system for the 26.5-m blades. The first set of blades have been produced and are headed to Kenston High School in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The second and third sets, also destined for high schools in Ohio, will be produced in the near future.

GBT plans to cater business needs to Aeronautica’s growth.

Global Blade Technology
www.gbtholding.com

 


Filed Under: Blades, Components, News, Uncategorized
Tagged With: Aeronautica Windpower, Global Blade Technology
 

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