Case Study

In early 2006 Clipper Windpower was preparing to initiate assembly operations at its 330,000 sq ft Cedar Rapids, IA assembly plant. The company faced substantial pressure to throttle up production levels at the plant and needed a good deal of factory automation equipment to be installed quickly.

                            Jib Crane Being Installed at Clipper Windpower                                 Overhead Cranes Installed at Clipper Windpower

A Clipper maintenance engineer that had formerly served the same function at Genencor recommended the company engage Dale Feauto to install needed factory automation systems. He described how Feauto's crew had fabricated and installed five large enzyme tanks for Genencor ahead of schedule and on-budget and how he trusted they would do well for Clipper.

Feauto started serving Clipper in mid 2006. Completed projects include the installation of overhead cranes and jib cranes.

Gear Box Test Stand Manufactured and Installed at Clipper Windpower

Feauto's team also manufactured and installed two test stands for testing Clipper’s massive gearboxes for vibration, heat levels, oil contamination and torque. The stands are then employed to break in the gear boxes for a period of 6 to 48 hours, depending on gearbox performance.