Wind Power - laser based metrology (frames, pillow block housings, hubs and gearbox casings)0 pages

API Case Study
TRACKER3
TM
Case Study: W ind Turbines
AH Industries
Wind Turbines &
Laser-based Metrology
More than an emerging industry, wind energy is recognized as a sector poised for dramatic growth in the coming years. Its
potential has drawn many upstarts to move into the market, and more established players to expand their operations. To
succeed, companies must differentiate thesmelves – and the quality of their products. AH Industries Components, a Danish
company, recognized this and decided to improve its quality assurance of heavy wind components with a mobile measurement tool that would be portable, accurate and reliable. It found these qualities in an API laser tracker.
Wind power is a hot topic these days. It is presented as both
environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Many companies
therefore see great opportunities for gaining a foothold in
this environment. AH Industries Components, however, is an
already established and proven partner in this industry. The
Danes have been delivering hubs, axles, bearing housings and
frame structures to leading providers of wind energy plants,
such as Siemens, REpower and Nordex, for many years.
AH had long held a technological advantage in the field, but was
facing increasing demands from customers for accuracy in the
parts that it manufactured and delivered. AH’s leaders decided
to acquire a new measurement system in 2008 to meet these
demands. At that time, AH was taking measurements with the industry’s most common tools: measuring rods screwed together,
rulers, special temples and special measuring brackets and devices. These instruments carried a level of uncertainty that got to
be unacceptable for quality experts at many leading companies.
At one of Europe’s largest quality assurance conferences, the
CONTROL trade show, AH officials started collecting information
about suitable measurement systems. They saw various systems
from a range of manufacturers.
Automated Precision Inc. | 15000 Johns Hopkins Drive | Rockville, MD 20850 | (800) 537-2720 | info@apisensor.com | www.apisensor.com