Page 22 - HIWT Summer 2011 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

WELDING OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE WIND POWER INDUSTRY

(Continued from page 15)

Different sets of manufacturing requirements exist for each
of the different component groups. For example, most all ‘A’
drive critical type components will require portable CMM
inspection as well as substantial NDT inspection both in
process and upon completion. Methods employed for the
NDT testing commonly include both wet fluorescent magnetic
particle and ultrasonic. In some special cases, radiographic
requirements may also exist for items such as towers. Most
all fabrications will include thermal stress relieving as well
as pre-coating grit blasting requirements. Most fabrication
drawings will employ GDT type tolerancing and will be
shown in metric. An in depth understanding of both of these
areas is generally required when supplying within this market. An MT tower being transported along I-90E.

Most welding including that which is associated with the
‘A’ critical items will conform or be very similar in nature A wealth of information is available for manufacturers
to that as defined by AWS D1.1 and D1.2 Structural Welding interested in learning more about the opportunities wind
codes. Welding for frames and many other components is diversification may provide. Options include the abundance
commonly performed utilizing standard MIG type procedures. of conferences occurring in North America as well as a
Tower welding is generally performed utilizing submerged number of key on-line sources such the GLWN and AWEA.
arc welding methods and with relatively high degrees of
automation. Most successful fabrication plants currently ~ More can be learned by visiting the following ~
supplying within the existing supply chain will maintain both www.glwn.org
certified welders and CWI’s on staff and in documental ratios. www.awea.org

Fabrication weights can range from as small as 50 lbs to as
large as 25,000 lbs and consuming a cube size of 8’ x 10’ x ABOUT THE AUTHOR
20’. Tower fabrications are generally looked at separately as Dale W. Reckman is director of field services for WIRE-Net’s Great
they often times require unique manufacturing capabilities. Lakes WIND Network™, Cleveland-based, non-profit supply chain
For this reason, most but not necessarily all tower facilities organization whose mission is to increase the domestic content in
are tower manufacturing dedicated. Completed utility grade North America’s wind turbines. Great Lakes WIND Network has an
expanding network of more than 1400 manufacturing companies
wind towers can weigh as much as 50-60 US tons each and located throughout North America, and it connects wind turbine OEMs,
span some 50-60’ in length. Due to their physical size and the manufacturers, and regional economic development organizations in
associated logistics challenges, tower sections are normally ways that accelerate investment and new manufacturing jobs.
shipped to the turbine final assembly site in sections where In this position, Reckman is responsible for developing the
they are assembled via precision bolt together flanges. manufacturing capabilities of emerging wind-energy supply chain
companies through on-site profiles, coaching and referrals. He
Fabrication supply chain involvement within the wind industry continues to refine the network’s assessment process and capabilities
can be challenging in light of the globally mature supply chain instruments, including on-site and online tools, and leads account
managers in efforts to evaluate the wind energy-related manufacturing
and technical requirements. Commonly witnessed disconnects capabilities of firms across North America.
between fabrication suppliers and purchasing OEM’s include:
A seasoned manufacturing executive with extensive experience in
• Failure to understand the QC/QA the wind industry, Reckman brings to Great Lakes WIND Network
over 25 years in operations, engineering and product development,
requirements and documentation estimating, sales and project management, procurement, and supply
requirements when initially pricing. chain management. Prior to joining Great Lakes WIND Network,
• Inability to adapt and overcome temporary Reckman was Vice President of the Commercial Products Group for
design changes in short periods of times. Magna Machine Company, a supplier to major wind power OEMs, and
• Failure to remain on production schedule an owner of AR Industries, a large fabricating firm that was sold to
ALSTOM Power in 2000.
• Repeated failures in product quality
• Poor / inconsistent communication Reckman and his family live in the Cincinnati area.

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