Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO511: Automatization of wind turbine blades maintenance procedures using robotic solutions: a comprehensive analysis within the horizon europe ROMAIN project
Nuno Rego, R&D Engineer, EDP
Abstract
Romain is a Horizon Europe project that is developing a robotic solution for inspection and repair of onshore and offshore wind turbine blades (WTBs), presenting an opportunity for automated robotic solutions to improve safety and repair costs. The solution developed by Aerones uses a Universal Robots (UR20) robotic arm with advanced navigation and precision methods combined with modular tool integration for seamless field operations with inspection and repair systems. The implementation of shearography, thermography and a laser-heating element resulted in Front Technologies’ advanced surface and subsurface defects inspection system. Leveraging image processing algorithms enables high-quality phase mapping for shearography to be developed while both the phase and amplitude images for the thermography are processed. Alerion developed an AI-based algorithm that uses the shearography and thermography images to automatically detect defects in a framework which has been under extensive training to ensure the inspection system’s robustness in Romain’s final prototype. Tecnalia developed a repair system that applies and cures premanufactured patches on damaged blade areas. Using low-temperature curing prepeg materials, this technology integrates vacuum consolidation using self-heated membranes and process monitoring with built-in sensors. University of Leeds developed a resistance welding technique where thermoset (glass fibre composites/epoxy) repair patch will be joined to the WTB using a thermoplastic film interlayer with a removable heating element. The modular robotic solution’s integration is currently underway before the first ground tests are conducted in a lab. Romain’s final test will occur on an on-site WTB to repair previously identified damages and to inspect for any defects that are not seen in a visual inspection, thus also validating the developed inspection system. A tool was created to model the economic and operational impacts of using a robotic solution to conduct minor preventive repairs on WTB damage instead of having technicians repair substantial damages later.
No recording available for this poster.
