Method and apparatus for making a shear web

Abstract

A method of making shear webs (16) for a wind turbine blade (10) is described. The method comprises providing an elongate male mould tool (32) having a longitudinally-extending upper mould surface (34) and a longitudinally-extending first side wall (36). A shim (40a) is provided adjacent and attached to the first side wall (36) of the mould tool (32). The shim (40a) has an inner surface (48) facing towards the first side wall (36), an outer surface (50) facing away from the first side wall (36), and an upper surface (56) defining an extension of the upper mould surface (34). A flange structure (74) is provided that comprises a flange portion and a projecting portion (78). The projecting portion (78) extends along the length of the flange portion and projects transversely from a surface of the flange portion. Fibrous reinforcing material is arranged on the upper mould surface (34). The flange structure (74) is arranged with respect to the mould tool (32) such that the projecting portion (78) at least partially overlies the upper surface (56) of the shim (40a) and the flange portion at least partially overlies the outer surface (50) of the shim (40a). The fibrous reinforcing material is integrated with the projecting portion (78) of the flange structure (74) by means of a matrix material to form the shear web (16). The shear web (16) is removed from the mould tool (32) with the shim (40a) remaining attached to the mould tool (32).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.