An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.

An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.

The present invention relates to an apparatus of manufacturing an aerogel sheet. The apparatus of manufacturing the aerogel sheet includes: a tray device in which a fiber sheet is accommodated; a rotation device including a rotation rod to which the tray device is fixed and a driving member rotating the rotation rod so that the tray device is disposed on an upper and lower portion of the rotation rod; an injection device injecting a silica precursor into the tray device disposed on the upper portion of the rotation rod to impregnate the silica precursor into the fiber sheet; and a surface modification device injecting a coating solution into the tray device disposed on the lower portion of the rotation rod to modify a surface of the fiber sheet in which the silica precursor is impregnated.

The present invention relates to an apparatus of manufacturing an aerogel sheet. The apparatus of manufacturing the aerogel sheet includes: a tray device in which a fiber sheet is accommodated; a rotation device including a rotation rod to which the tray device is fixed and a driving member rotating the rotation rod so that the tray device is disposed on an upper and lower portion of the rotation rod; an injection device injecting a silica precursor into the tray device disposed on the upper portion of the rotation rod to impregnate the silica precursor into the fiber sheet; and a surface modification device injecting a coating solution into the tray device disposed on the lower portion of the rotation rod to modify a surface of the fiber sheet in which the silica precursor is impregnated.

Systems and methods for the automated non-destructive inspection of wind turbine blades. A motor-driven track that conforms to the shape of the blade moves along its length. At each spanwise position, the motor-driven track is stopped and then while the motor-driven track is stationary, any one of various types of NDI sensors is moved along the track to collect inspection data on the structure. The track is either segmented or flexible in order to conform to the cross-sectional profile of the blade. In addition, means for tracking the spanwise motion of the motor-driven track along the blade are provided. Optionally, means for avoiding protrusions on the blade that may be in the way during scanning are provided.

Systems and methods for the automated non-destructive inspection of wind turbine blades. A motor-driven track that conforms to the shape of the blade moves along its length. At each spanwise position, the motor-driven track is stopped and then while the motor-driven track is stationary, any one of various types of NDI sensors is moved along the track to collect inspection data on the structure. The track is either segmented or flexible in order to conform to the cross-sectional profile of the blade. In addition, means for tracking the spanwise motion of the motor-driven track along the blade are provided. Optionally, means for avoiding protrusions on the blade that may be in the way during scanning are provided.

An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.

An inspection station includes a conveyor, a first scanner, a second scanner, a controller, and an interface. The conveyor is configured to continuously transport a vehicle body through the station. The first scanner is configured to detect features of the vehicle body and associated feature coordinates relative to a global coordinate system. The second scanner is configured to detect paint thicknesses on surfaces of the vehicle body and associated paint thickness coordinates relative to the global coordinate system. The controller is programmed to map corresponding pairs of the feature coordinates and paint thickness coordinates into a single set of local coordinates having a datum defined by the vehicle body such that each of the local coordinates defines a location of one of the features relative to the datum and one of the paint thicknesses at the location. The interface is configured to display the features and corresponding paint thicknesses.

An assembly line having a carrier for transporting components which is structured and dimensioned for receiving components of two different devices, so that the assembly line can be switched from assembling one device to assembling the other device without changing or altering the series of carriers on the assembly line, and a method of operating the assembly line.

An assembly line having a carrier for transporting components which is structured and dimensioned for receiving components of two different devices, so that the assembly line can be switched from assembling one device to assembling the other device without changing or altering the series of carriers on the assembly line, and a method of operating the assembly line.