Renewable energy sources – Optimized processes with Dürr Consulting
The power house, the so called gondola
or nacelle, is the main component of a
wind power system (Photo: (c) Siemens).
In the field of wind turbine manufacture a lot of optimization potential can be found in the degree of standardization applied to systems and processes. Dürr Consulting, internationally active as a planning and advisory services provider, develops production plants that are process and cost optimized.
“We focus on combining our customers’ technological leadership and attractive production costs on a long term basis”, says Roland Ehry, responsible for General Industry business at Dürr Consulting Stuttgart. “In comparison with the automotive industry, the level of standardization applied to processes and equipment used in the manufacture of wind turbines tends to be lower. Producers often need to respond to strong growth in demand with proportionally higher and cost intensive increases in employee numbers. Modular production structures, however, strengthen the ability to react flexibly to production fluctuations and to make better use of economies of scale.”
In providing its planning and advisory services Dürr Consulting attaches importance to the use of standardized processes, high quality manufacturing and rapid implementation of measures developed jointly with the customer. Automation and handling solutions contribute greatly to process optimization and pave the way to savings in manufacturing, warranty and goodwill costs. In the course of a recent Dürr Consulting project at his factory, the customer was able to reduce assembly time for nacelles, the enclosures that house the wind turbine machinery, by 43 per cent within a period of only four months. On the same project, transport paths involved in moving materials to their points of use were shortened by up to 80 per cent and internal rework was reduced by 70 per cent. A change-over from stationary to moving assembly reduced labor requirements by 25 per cent.
A key factor for such success is SnapPlanner visualization software. This system, developed by Dürr, makes it possible to create realistic images of future processes as early as in the planning phase. “As a result, instead of the usual coordination meetings, we are able to provide everyone involved with an effective and self-explanatory basis for communication,” explains Roland Ehry.
At present Dürr is working on a comprehensive approach, involving all business units from planning to balancing and paint technology, in the preparation of a complete single source offer for the assembly of wind turbines.
Your contact:
Roland Ehry - roland.ehry(at)durr.com - Fon +49 711 136-2817
next page ( Innovative color changer - EcoLCC in production use at VW Sachsen )
Feature topic
Download newsletter 08/2010 (PDF 0,3 MB)
