Jet engine turbine blade gauging using Digital Probes

Specialists in the investment casting and machining of alloy metals, such as aluminium and titanium, which are primarily used for jet aircraft engines and airframes, have to measure the dimensions of the blades after surface grinding.

1. The Product

The standard DP range of Digital Spring Push Probes has justifiably become the work horse of the gauging industry. Very  high resolution, excellent linearity and high data  speed come as  standard. Long life precision bearings, and an IP65 rating ensure  that probes maintain their performance for millions of cycles.

Range: 3 to 2Omm — Accuracy: Up to 0.05% of reading — Resolution: Up to 0.01 ym — Repeatability: Up to 0.1Ifi ym.

After casting, the turbine blades undergo surface grinding to complete the collaboration of surfaces. The dimensions of the blade post-grind then need to be accurately measured as the initial proportions from the casting will have changed slightly. A precision process application is required to conform to final specification requirements (dimensional accuracy and surface finish).

      3. The Solution

Using the Digital Spring Push Probes (DPs), the measurements from the desired locations on the turbine can be taken, and fed into the digital readout (SI5500).  Measurement  data  from the  SI5500 is transmitted via the unit’s RS232 output to a PC running a statistical process control system. This data is then used to monitor the performance of the grinding process and the quality of the finished parts, providing traceability records from the start of the process to the finished part.

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