Blade Repair. Accelerated.

To support this growing need, Sika collaborates closely with wind energy partners to ensure that every repair technician has the most effective and cost-efficient solutions at hand. Custom repair systems that are market proven and easy to use. Products tailored to new conditions. And the logistics, training and technical support needed to ensure quality and consistency across the globe. With every collaboration, the list of time-saving innovations continues to expand.

For addressing blade defects, Sika’s latest hand lamination system is poised to significantly shorten cycle times for a wide range of in-factory rework and field repair jobs. SikaBiresin® CR910 is a fast-curing system designed to reduce cycle times in rework applications for blade production and field repair while allowing enough potlife to mix and apply the material. Engineered together with TPI Composites, the world’s leading independent blade manufacturer, this advanced epoxy resin system has proven to accelerate both infusion rework and hand lamination repair applications. “I think anyone interested in a fast-curing, versatile system with the potential to reduce cycle times for rework application in serial production should have a look,” says Roger Schütt, Global Technical Program Director, TPI Composites. “During the testing phase,” he adds, “we also very much appreciated that Sika, as a big global player, was able to deliver material easily to our production sites around the world.”

Another labor-intensive task, which can result in significant energy production losses for extended maintenance downtime, is blade balancing. For blade models that contain balancing chambers, this crucial process should be relatively streamlined. But all too often, it can be both wasteful and time-consuming, involving manual mixing of ballast materials and imprecise injection through piping bags. SikaForce®-710 L30 makes this process easier than ever before. Thanks to a simple 4:1 cartridge, mixing is quick and precise. And once mixed, the high-density liquid ballast has an ideal viscosity for fast, clean and accurate injection. The result is not only an easier, more efficient day on the job for repair workers, but a more effective use of materials and valuable turbine downtime.

Despite new materials and new application techniques, a global shortage of skilled rope access teams and repair technicians may pose the industry’s biggest challenge of all. Thankfully, a new generation of companies is emerging to fill the gap. Aerones, BladeRobots and BladeBug are just a few examples of those leading the way in automating tasks ranging from leading edge protection, including grinding, cleaning and surface protection, to blade balancing, and de-icing inspection tasks.Sika works closely with these robotic technology pioneers to co-develop robotic repair processes and integrate a wide range of adhesive, sealant and composite resin materials for groundbreaking applications. As a supplement to skilled technicians, these innovations will not only help ensure faster repair and reduced downtime when workers are unavailable. They will also be able to improve worker safety, reducing the risks associated with human climbing when performing inspections, maintenance and repairs in difficult conditions.