Robot for automated tightening of bolts in flange connections in wind turbines

Goal: Tightening of bolts in flange connections when erecting wind turbines is a critical process that is today manual. The manual process is problematic; process is time consuming, labor environment at high altitudes is dangerous and difficult, and the quality of the operation cannot be standardized and documented. The inventors, represented by the project applicant Seagar, have been granted a worldwide patent for a robotic device that enables bolts in wind turbine tower and blade connections to be tightened
according to an automated process under Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) conditions.
Work Program: In an innovation phase is created a mechanical design of the robot, which can be used in various designs of wind turbines. Then is developed a control system, and the first prototype of the self-propelled robot is built. Next follows equipment of the robot with tools for tightening of the bolts, and finally a full prototype is being developed and tested in a field test.
Application of results: Seagar want to use advanced bolt robot technology commercially in the form of license sales, delivery of bolts robots and / or selling the service of bolt tightening in wind turbines. Vestas has a commercial interest in exploiting the new technology.