TEST NDT International and Olympus offer wind turbine inspection seminars
03/11/2010
TEST NDT International has developed a reputation as the specialist NDT consulting and training company for the wind energy industry.To date, over 70 weeks of on-site NDT training specifically for wind turbine blade inspectors have been conducted around the world. Over 150 inspectors have already passed through the specially developed courses for composite blade inspection using a combination of conventional ultrasonic techniques and advanced phased array techniques. This training and the special procedures were specially developed for solving the peculiar problems caused by very attenuative composite materials and the complex geometries involved in modern blade manufacturing.
The training was based around the Olympus OmniScan MX instrument, using both its conventional ultrasonic and ultrasonic phased array capabilities.
The phased array techniques developed can be used during blade manufacture and also for in-service inspection of the blades, where the portability of the powerful OmniScan MX phased array instrument is a very important asset.
TEST NDT International is currently working closely with two of the largest blade manufacturers and several in-service inspection companies to develop new techniques for various applications
involving defects which are specific to wind energy applications. The inspectors are then required to have a thorough understanding of the new phased array technology, as well as receive training on the implementation of these techniques.
In addition to the ultrasonic and ultrasonic phased array inspection capabilities, Olympus personnel will provide presentations and hands-on demonstrations of the range of visual testing systems.
TEST NDT International and Olympus will be co-hosting two free-to-attend seminars as follows:
- Tuesday 7 December – Isle of Wight
- Friday 10 December – Middlesborough
