Case study - Gulf Wind Technology
Case study
Gulf Wind Technology: wind tunnel models with built-in pressure taps
USA · Wind energy · Stereolithography (Neo800, Somos PerFORM Reflect)
Gulf Wind Technology develops rotor designs for wind turbines. Its accelerator has an in-house, hurricane-capable wind tunnel to test scaled rotor models.
The challenge
Wind tunnel models were usually CNC machined or made with a carbon-fiber layup over a mold. The time between proposal and test of a new airfoil could be months. That slowed down design iteration.
The solution
Together with service provider Prototyping Solutions, Gulf Wind Technology chose the Stratasys Neo800 SL printer. Somos PerFORM Reflect was the only material that met the expected loads.
Pressure taps are printed directly into the models. They run to a manifold that plugs straight into the pressure scanner.
“I can definitely say that being able to integrate a lot of those features and simplify how we set up the model, how it gets mounted into the load cell, and how we can design them into the model has been a huge game changer.”
The results
- Models produced 2.5 to 5 times faster
- Integrated pressure taps that are hard to machine or mold
- More design iterations and richer performance data
- Faster development of next-generation wind energy technology
Application: Wind tunnel & aerodynamic testing
Fast, accurate scale models with fine features such as pressure taps printed right into the part.
Source: Stratasys Application Guide and Stratasys case material. Photo: Stratasys.
Want to explore this application?
SEIDO Systems is Stratasys Platinum Partner across Benelux, France and the Nordics. Contact us for advice, a demo or a test print.