Built-in reliability designed right from the start

Designing new turbine blades is a complex process in which the quality of the end result depends very much on the reliability of the design details, the materials and the production processes.

At LM Glasfiber, we work with a number of tried and tested “building blocks” that are the basis for all our blade development projects. This enables us to define the characteristics of a new blade design fairly quickly and then use this in close discussion with our customers, to achieve the best possible solution in terms of an overall assessment of the price of wind power.

Documented elements

These building blocks consist of methods and structural details that have been completely developed, documented and tested. We can create new, highly reliable blade designs by developing and testing elements such as blade root fittings and the gelcoat independently of the ongoing construction of new types of blades, and then combine these using our advanced design tools. Generally speaking, our prototype blades are in fact user-ready blades because all the individual elements have been tested in advance.

Root solutions

Our design for the blade root (where the blade is fitted to the wind turbine) is thoroughly tested and adapted to ensure it can support the blades that are becoming longer and heavier. The root solutions for LM blades are robust, and are based on the principle of mechanical locking. Steel bushings are cast into the root and form an integral part of the blade.

SuperRoot

When we developed the LM 61.5 P, we refined our root concept, reducing the distance between the bushings in the root and continuing to apply the same robust principle. The SuperRoot is stronger and more compact. This means that 35-40% more bolts can be fitted in the same root diameter, enabling the root to support blades that are around 20% longer with the same diameter.

Gelcoat – protection from the elements

The outermost layer of LM blades consists of gelcoat. This an integral part of the casting process, which means a thicker layer can be applied to improve the protection of the blades. In fact, all new blades start with a layer of gelcoat – the first step in the production process is to add gelcoat to the mould. 

LM Glasfiber has been working with our suppliers for years, aiming to develop the optimum gelcoat. The result is a surface finish that resists salt, sand, sunlight, rain, humidity and insects. In addition, the gelcoat on LM blades is as visually neutral as possible, with a non-reflective surface.

Leading edge tape

At certain sites, it may be beneficial to provide additional protection against sand and salt by attaching resistant tape to the leading edge of the blade. The tape used by LM Glasfiber has been thoroughly tested, and is the type used on helicopter rotors.