Robot for rotor blade inspection

Rotor blades of wind energy converters are highly stressed components subject to constant load cycles. Regular inspections of rotor blades are indispensible for reliable operation and cost effective production without longer downtimes. Insurers and lenders demand routine inspection of rotor blades every two years. The wide range of damage that occurs on rotor blades greatly depends on the construction of the blades. Inspection must primarily detect damage caused by delamination, bonding defects, lightning strikes, air inclusions and cracks. Automated inspection of rotor blades with service robots is one of the Robotic Systems Business Unit´s interesting fields of research. This paper presents the results of the joint project RIWEA. The Fraunhofer IFF developed a concept for a robot system that automatically inspects rotor blades.