Mould design is part of the package

Design, materials and processes are closely linked, and this is particularly clear in the development of LM Wind Power moulds. With the necessary know-how available in-house, we can take into account specific blade performance requirements right from the beginning, in the early stages of when a mould or other production equipment is developed. The fact that we have this expertise in-house also lets us benefit from the experience acquired in all the different phases of developing and producing a new blade design. Similarly, optimizing the production process can have an important influence on the overall design.

Simple and transferable

The majority of LM blades are based on glass fibre/polyester technology. This is a clear choice, based on our desire to keep material costs down plus the fact that the processes involved are more dependable and versatile. Using polyester as saturation material does away with the need for expensive, complicated heating chambers or other equipment for heating the mould. It also makes it easier for us to plan for maximum efficiency – switching production from one blade type to another is straightforward, and we can simply move moulds from one factory to another if needed.

Preventive maintenance

Every blade is a mirror image of the mould in which it was cast. The technology behind designing and building these moulds is therefore crucial for the quality of the finished blades. Once cast, the blade profile must be both up to spec and with no difference at all between the first and the very last to leave the mould. That is why structured service and preventive maintenance is key in our factories. The focus is to reduce the mean time between failure and to prolong the lifetime of the mould and other production equipment.