FTK rotor blades: design, manufacturing and testing

Abstract

This paper deals with the challenges and particularities of the design, manufacturing and testing of small batch series model rotor blades. It highlights the interaction of dynamic and structural aspects and also compares the different manufacturing technologies that were considered. Subsequently, the final solution, a comparatively simple method to obtain a high quality rotor, is shown. A rating of the new blades and a comparison to Bo105 model rotor blades as well as experiences coming from the wind tunnel tests are presented.