The Challenge, and the Solution
The Challenge
In the aerospace industry, an engine component such as a turbine blade is often cast, and then machined to the proper dimensions, via a CNC. To check specifications after the initial setup, the operator removes the blade from the CNC, then has it checked by a CMM in a Quality Lab. Depending on the workload for the CMM, the operator can wait for hours or in some cases a day to perform a check. This is costly, as the blades cannot be re-machined until the specifications are verified.
...and the Solution
Solartron Gauging Sensors have been used to check key aerospace components such as turbine mounts. A wide variety of measurement sensors are available, including non-contact, which gives users the ability to check the toughest dimensions using high quality measurement equipment. For a Turbine Mount. Solartron offers high precision Digital Sensors which can be mounted to a custom gauge, streamlining the gauging process using the Orbit Digital Measurement Network.
Using the Orbit Digital Measurement Network allows the operator to utilise up to 250 sensors at once, whether they are Contact, Non-Contact, or 3rd Party. Through networking a large number of sensors, gauging critical points becomes a quick and thorough process, as results can be outputted as a CSV file which can be imported into Microsoft Excel or the user’s SPC software.
With a gauge, all critical dimensions for the turbine blade are measured and displayed instantly next to the CNC. To prevent scrap and to reduce costs, adjustments can be made to the process.
The CNC and the operator will not be idle while waiting for the CMM inspection report, thus production of parts resumes immediately after set-up with no lost time. The operator can also free up the bottleneck of the CMM department so the department can perform other critical inspections, reducing massive labour costs to a minimum, and speeding up the process of manufacturing.
Reliable and Rugged
A Solartron digital probe is built for tough environments, with a stainless steel casing, high precision bearings, and excellent sideload strength. Each probe is calibrated throughout its mechanical range in our State of the Art factory. The Digital probes have endured a “Cam” test for up to 13 million cycles. With low maintenance, Solartron Digital probes can last for years on a factory floor, providing consistent high quality throughout a sensor’s life.
To find out more about what Solartron Metrology can do for your business, contact us on +44 (0)1243 833333 or sales.solartronmetrology@ametek.com.