WHAT IS BL8?

​BL8 is industry's first automated paint robot that coats wind turbine blades faster, safer, more reliable, ​with almost
zero emission and more consistent quality. 
​
It uses cutting-edge technology that transforms the traditional 
method of  coating large-scale industrial surfaces into a 
fully  controlled, efficient and safe process. It is the first robot of its kind that is able to coat without having any overspray.  

The first BL8 prototype is currently developed and will be ready soon. 
When it comes to coating process, the customer pain points from wind turbine blade manufacturers are as follows:
  • High inspection costs, due to the low controllability of the coating process
  • Performance problems caused by poor and inconsistent coating 
  • Costs of wasted paint due to overspray and higher coating 'under limits' – minimal thickness of the coated layer –because manual coating is inconsistent 
  • Shortage of specialized workers because the job is not appealing to young people and is strenuous and ​dangerous
  • Problems to keep up with demand because the energy output per blade must grow to fulfil the demand for wind energy

WHY BL8?

When comparing to the current manual coating process and even to the current available paint robots, 
our patented technology offers the following advantages: 
  • Up to 50% more paint efficient 
  • No overspray  
  • Accurate coating layer 
  • All layer thicknesses are possible  
  • Consistent automated performance   
  • Automated quality control on every position of the blade 
  • No people working on heights 
  • ​Environmentally friendly process 
The biggest advantage of the robot is that the coating application technology does not require any modification in the mechanics or control of wind turbines so even the paint will stay the same which reduces the threshold for implementation significantly. 
Our products are designed in a modular way and can be customized to your needs.

TECHNOLOGY

Qlayers’ patented spray shielding system is an unique feature on the system, allowing to coat without having any overspray. In addition, the coating layer thickness is controlled on every position of the blade.  

The BL8 robot is able to apply primers and topcoats, all with the same head. The system consists of 3 main modules, 
​which are designed and assembled in house by Qlayers: 
The applicator module prepares the paint. It includes the pumps, the compressors, the mixing system (in case multiple-component paints are used), and the flushing system. 

The controller module regulates all the parameters influencing the coating process, such as temperature, humidity, 
distance to the surface, spray pressure, and air flows. 
​
The coating head sprays the paint prepared by the applicator module according to the parameters set by the control module. 
The first BL8 prototype will be ready soon. The first full scale BL8 robot will be ready for market in 2021.   
Are you looking for automated efficient systems to paint wind turbine blades? ​Feel free to contact us!