Nordex Selects VISTAGY's FiberSIM® Software to Develop Composite Wind Turbine Blades

Leading wind energy firm uses FiberSIM to enhance transfer of data between design and analysis as well as to expedite engineering change orders.

VISTAGY, Inc today announced that Nordex, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of high-efficiency wind turbines for onshore use, has purchased FiberSIM® software to streamline its entire design-to-manufacturing process for composite wind turbine blades. Nordex is using FiberSIM to develop detailed ply designs, accurate flat patterns and manufacturing output, and complete documentation for the engineering release.

FiberSIM will enable Nordex to enhance the automation of its product development process and optimize assembly glue gaps. Nordex also notes that FiberSIM is a “powerful tool” for composite design and manufacturing when used within its Creo Elements/Pro (previously Pro/ENGINEER) CAD system. FiberSIM is fully integrated into the PTC Creo Elements/Pro, Dassault Systèmes CATIA, and Siemens NX CAD systems.

“Transferring data between design and analysis can be extremely time-consuming,” said Hendrik Klein, chief designer in the Nordex Rotor Blade Division. “But during the testing phase we recognized that if we had a design tool that had a seamless interface to our CAE analysis tools, it would enable us to significantly reduce the product development cycle.

“FiberSIM also enhances the automation of our development processes, helps us improve blade quality, and alleviates time-consuming reworks in the factory.”

“We’re very pleased that Nordex, one of the premier names in wind energy, has recognized the value of FiberSIM,” said Dr. Olivier Guillermin, director of product & market strategy for VISTAGY. “As the wind industry moves toward bigger and more complex blade designs, we’re seeing a maturation of the wind blade engineering process worldwide, and VISTAGY’s products and services are playing a key role in that development.”

As a technological leader among suppliers of megawatt turbines, Nordex benefits particularly from the global trend towards large-scale wind turbines. The product range includes one of the largest series of wind power systems in the world (N80/N90/N100, 2,500 kW) with more than 1,500 of these turbines having been produced to date. This means that Nordex has a crucial edge in terms of experience in operating large turbines compared to most of its competitors in the sector. Overall, Nordex has installed more than 4,400 turbines with a capacity in excess of 6,600 MW around the world. With exports accounting for over 95 percent of its business, Nordex also has a strong position in international high-growth regions. The company has offices and subsidiaries in 19 countries. In total, the Group employs more than 2,500 people worldwide.