03.04.2019 – 10:56

BAM Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung

Hannover Messe 2019: Quality assurance for offshore wind turbines

Wind turbine rotor blades, onshore as well as offshore, are exposed to extreme stress and therefore need regular maintenance. Up to now, industrial climbers conduct a visual inspection of the rotor blades in combination with tap testing to detect any structural faults.

Active thermography is an upcoming method used for rotor blade inspection. It involves applying heat to the surface of a rotor blade and observing the temperature distribution by using a thermographic camera. Thermography enables maintenance workers to inspect rotor blades for deep-seated defects more quickly because it does not require any contact.

"We aim to develop thermographic methods further so that they can be used effectively and reliably - during the production and in the field," explains Dr. Rainer Krankenhagen who is an expert for thermographic methods at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM).

Visitors can receive comprehensive information about the project Thermofas at the stand of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) (stand C28 in the Research & Technology area in hall 2). The project focuses on using thermography to assess the quality of fibre composites for the wind energy industry.

The main theme of BAM's exhibition this year is additive manufacturing. Under the slogan "We add Safety to Additive Manufacturing" visitors will be able to gain insight into BAM's research in this area. Additionally, BAM is presenting its commitment to promoting spin-offs. The BAM stand is also located in the Research & Technology area in hall 2 (stand C51).

More information about BAM at the Hannover Messe 2019 can be found at www.bam.de/hannovermess e-en

The publication "Additive Manufacturing at BAM - Safety in Focus" provides an overview of the wide range of our research in this area: www.bam.de/am-broschuere.

Contact: 
Venio Quinque, M.A., LL.M./LL.B. 
Head of Section Corporate Communications 
Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) 
Unter den Eichen 87 
12205 Berlin 
GERMANY 
T: + 49 30 8104-1002 
F: + 49 30 8104-71002  
presse@bam.de 
www.bam.de 


About BAM 

BAM promotes safety in technology and chemistry. 
As a departmental research institute of the German Federal Ministry for Economic
Affairs and Energy, BAM performs research, testing and offers advisory support
to protect people, the environment and material goods. Its activity in the
fields of materials science, materials engineering and chemistry is focussed on
the technical safety of products and processes.

BAM's research is directed towards substances, materials, building elements,
components and facilities as well as natural and technical systems important for
the national economy and relevant to society. It also tests and assesses their
safe handling and operation. BAM develops and validates analysis procedures and
assessment methods, models and necessary standards and provides science-based
services for the German industry in a European and international framework.

Safety creates markets. 
BAM sets and represents high standards for safety in technology and chemistry
for Germany and its global markets to further develop the successful German
quality culture "Made in Germany".