Fast inspection of wind turbine rotor blades using the mobile 3D V-ROX

With the worldwide expansion of wind farms and the continuous increase in turbine size, the demand for reliable inspection methods for production as well as in-service is steadily growing. Wind turbines must be inspected regularly to enable early damage detection and to prevent serious failures. Rotor blades are among the most highly stressed components, and their failure can result in substantial costs.

Large-area, rapid inspection of CFRP components

The voidsy 3D V-ROX system enables quick and easy inspection of the quality of the composite skin and the core material. In combination with a mobile power supply, the V-ROX system can be used very efficiently in production areas, e.g. on a mobile elevating work platform as well as for in-service inspections. 

Photothermal tomography can be used to detect and evaluate a wide variety of manufacturing defects, such as:

• voids and porosity, 
• dry spots, 
• poor bonding, 
• delamination, 
• cracks in core material,

as well as in-service damage, for example:

• impact damage, 
• water ingress 
• cracks in laminate or adhesive joints.