Solent Composite Systems UK - Wind Turbines Moulds

	Wind Turbines \| Key Features \| Key Benefits \| ISO Compliance

SCS Wind Energy Profile

SmartMoulds™ for Intelligent Blades

Solent Composites Systems (SCS) entered the Wind Energy market in 2000 after many successful years pioneering the design and manufacturing of innovative structural composite systems for the Offshore Oil & Gas industry. High performance composite technology and a quality driven heritage enabled SCS to enter one of the most demanding sectors of the wind energy industry- the design and manufacture of turbine rotor blades, blade moulds, tools and related critical composite components.

The SCS system branded SmartMould™ Rotor Blade Manufacturing System (RBMS) incorporates innovative Smart engineering to optimise quality and productivity in the entire blade design, development and production process.

The SCS production facilities in Cowes IOW proved invaluable in the rapid delivery of many blade moulds ranging from 25 to 40 metres for Europe's leading wind turbine manufacturers- including NEG Micon Rotors ( Vestas), GE Wind Energy and DeWind. A new waterside facility has been commissioned nearby in Southampton to manufacture moulds up to 65 metres long destined for offshore wind farms.

The SCS Technology Centre and Composites Academy Training Centre in Cowes provides an end- to- end solution from blade design (aerodynamic and structural) and prototype development, to manufacturing technology transfer with ongoing maintenance and full technical support.

SmartMould™ features include:

SmartPlug™ - A robust, accurate and smooth modular, CNC cut master-plug directly from CAD model that is easily assembled into a vacuum-tight structure for mould infusion
SmartShell™ - FEA modelled laminate structure, with close tolerance uniform surface finish for maximum vacuum integrity, profile accuracy and optimum curing regime of glass & carbon hybrids.
SmartLift™ - Single point lift & turn at root and tip providing rapid, reliable and safe manoeuvrability with balanced centre of gravity- precision closure coupled with low maintenance.
SmartJoint™ - Precision seamless mould joining and self-alignment mechanism, permitting faster mould setup, accurate edge control and lower finishing costs.
SmartHinge™ - High safety, low maintenance, self aligning root and tip rotation mechanism that allows fast mould closure, providing positive web contact and minimal glue gap of 5mm.
SmartHeat™ - Bespoke FEA heat cycle simulation with PC controlled zoned electrical heating system providing precise curing management with built-in safety features and redundancy. Selective water cooling option.
SmartFrame™ - FEA engineered range of durable high stiffness structural steel framework designs to give choice of minimum height or minimum weight.
SmartVac™ - Fast, clean, low emission closed mould system permitting dry set up of laminate and highly controlled vacuum consolidation yielding consistent blade weight and form.
SmartCare™ - Ongoing preventative maintenance service package offered with every SmartMould™ and RBMS system incorporating regular inspection, monitoring and operator training.

SmartMould™ benefits include:

Blades with superior aerodynamic design
Structural integrity and consistent quality
Less finishing and assembly time
Lower mould maintenance and downtime
Higher productivity due to reduced handling
Robust performance and longer mould life
Significantly lower blade production costs
Lower investment costs to meet blade output
End-to-end solution with risk mitigation built in

ISO Compliance

SCS holds a DNV certified integrated management system (IMS) including ISO9001 Quality ISO14001 Environmental and OHSAS 18001.

SmartMould™ largely utilises vacuum infusion or pre-preg systems, and SCS enjoys wide experience in the use of both glass and carbon fibre reinforcements - including hybrids. Resin systems used are generally epoxy based although vinyl ester and polyesters may be used.

SCS offers licensed manufacturing technology transfer worldwide for new rotor blade start ups with full commissioning and intensive training of personnel at all levels.

Download the 'SmartMould™ for Effective Blade Production' Press Release - (0.5MB)

SmartMould™...

Quality…Performance…and…Cost.

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