WFT’s robot-based MIT modular transport technology enables large, heavy loads to be moved in any direction and positioned precisely where they are needed. Optional features allow each order to be tailored to customers’ needs, reducing downtime, improving quality and increasing efficiency.


WFT has spent the last 15 years developing creative, cost saving products for the wind energy industry. Its specific know-how supports turbine and blade manufacturers by supplying them with technology that is guaranteed to work.The German firm’s mission is to make wind the most economical energy available, and its team fights every day to meet that challenging goal.

Modular approach
One of its outstanding innovations is the modular individual transportation (MIT) system for large and heavy loads. Most of Europe’s leading OEMs are using it very successfully, which results in a significant output increase and considerable improvements to quality and efficiency.

One example includes the automatic, step-by-step transport of rotor blades to workplaces; blades can be fixed at the centre of gravity, or in coupled mode, secure at the root and tip. Another is the timed production of generators, gearboxes and nacelles, where every movement is completed without a minute spent waiting for a crane.

The latest highlight is a free-moving robot based on the MIT for the automatic processing of large parts, like the sanding of rotor blades. This represents a genuinely revolutionary approach to saving time and money, and provides enhanced process control as well as improvements in health and safety. These advantages make it arguably one of the most valuable recent innovations in blade manufacturing.

How does it work?
At the heart of WFT’s transport systems is its patented electric drive technology. This recovers braking energy and, in combination with their battery packages, guarantees utterly silent and emission-free operation.

Other advantages include:

  • Unrestricted mobility: the high-end drive technology allows vehicles to be steered in any direction. Even traverse travel and on-the-spot turning are no problem.
  • Customised configuration: integration of lifting, turning, swivelling or other devices, and the mounting of complete mobile work stations or robots, are only a few examples of the numerous possibilities.
  • Indoor/outdoor use: the integrated suspension of each wheel means that small obstacles and slight slopes pose no problem, and allows entering or exiting factory halls.
  • Expansion and coupling: loading can be individually expanded and adapted by mechanical and electrical coupling of several vehicles.

Turning devices
WFT has a long experience of designing turning devices for rotor blades or the automation of flow lines. Its turning stations are individually designed and variable to support different blade dimensions, geometry and weight. The trend towards longer, and more curved blades requires a flexible, forward-looking approach and WFT offers the following features:

  • electrical root diameter adjustment to take a wide range of dimensions
  • multidirectional gimbals to compensate for bending and reduce the dynamic, mechanical forces during the turning
  • strong and efficient direct-drive rollers without extra outside gears, chains etc
  • tip supports with driven belts or wheel techniques
  • automatic steering for turning, positioning and lifting.