Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
(OP)
Hello everyone,![[wavey3] wavey3](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/wavey3.gif)
My company is currently in the process to set up a rotor blade (for windmills) factory in the US (Minnesota). Blades are 42m. in length.
I would like to know what knowledge and skill is available in the US, and especially Minnesota with VARIM?
I've read that boats are sometimes build using VARIM, is that true? Bayliner too?
Cheers,![[wavey2] wavey2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/wavey2.gif)
GM
![[wavey3] wavey3](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/wavey3.gif)
My company is currently in the process to set up a rotor blade (for windmills) factory in the US (Minnesota). Blades are 42m. in length.
I would like to know what knowledge and skill is available in the US, and especially Minnesota with VARIM?
I've read that boats are sometimes build using VARIM, is that true? Bayliner too?
Cheers,
![[wavey2] wavey2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/wavey2.gif)
GM





RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Autoclaves are by no means necessary to make high quality composite parts. In fact, there are still plenty of reject parts made in autoclaves. With VARTM you do have to pay attention more closly to some details like fiber compressability and tackifiers for layup. But non-autoclave manufacturing is probably the only economic way to make windmill blades.
I don't know any experts in Minnesota. I know Stratton Composite Solutions in Atlanta area does consulting in VARTM.
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
http://www.tpicomposites.com/index.php?id=1132
B.E.
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Thank you for your input.
The process we use for producing the blades is VARIM. We therefore look for people/organisations/experts who can do this for us.
Next to that I am looking for locations where we can train (if necessary) people on this.
Best regards,
GM
P.S. I need my
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Are these blades currently being produced elswhere in the world? A 42 metre blade is a fairly large blade.
You might try Venus Gusmer in Kent Washington. They manufacture process equipment for VARIM as well as having a fabrication shop. A quote from one of their brochures:
"Venus Gusmer’s fabrication shop works on a large range of products. Venus Gusmer manufactures everything from small spray equipment to 400-ft. long fiberglass mine sweepers for the French and U.S. Navies." They would be able to give you the skills you require from their customer base.
B.E.
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Thanks for the info. Yep, they are produced in India at the moment.
And yes, 42m is quite long, though we are also looking to produce longer blades.
Cheers,
GM
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Thanks. Vestas is the competition. And we're using VARIM already for some years. It is just that in the USA we'll have to start from scratch. That is why I look for information/people who work/have worked with VARIM.
Cheers,
GM
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
I am in Minnesota. I can help and direct you to places that may help. Your call.
http://www.bellcomb.com/career/career.htm
Darin
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
Thanks for your reply.
I'm open for suggestions....
cheers,
GM
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
DGJ
RE: Vaccum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) - Knowledge and skill
I would suggest you talk to some of the material companies. In the core side, I know DIAB (James Jones), Alcan, and WebCore (Scott Campbell) are doing a lot of work in large part infusion. They have extensive technical teams with infusion expertise, and their materials lend themselves to this process. Some of the fiber and resin companies also have experts in this area, including VectorPly (Phil Steggall) and AOC Resins (Daniel Rodriguez). So that might be a good place to start. There are also consultants out there that assist in this process and they travel nationwide. Andre Cocquyt does training seminars. Stratton (already mentioned) has a strong background in this area, but he is generally more aerospace focused.
Give me a ring (or e-mail) if you have more questions. www.agatadev.com.
Good luck,
Alex