Milling and Testing Wind Turbine Blades

Gallagher has worked with several wind turbine companies in recent years. One major producer, with facilities in the United States and Mexico, asked us to design a new machine for testing the strength of their larger blades.

Prior to this project, the company used a crane to deflect the blades. This was a cumbersome process. Our solution was a hydraulic test bed installed near the end of the production line. Each new blade is bolted to a reinforced concrete frame and cantilevered over the test bed. Telescoping hydraulic cylinders lift the system as the blade rests on hinge saddles equipped with load cells. The saddles stay in contact with the blade as it bends, measuring the force and performance.