Messtechnik Wetzlar, a subsidiary of Hexagon Metrology, was a successful participant in the MTU Aero Engines competition "Effizienzsteigerung Messtechnik" (Efficiency Improvements in Metrology). The aim of the project was to reduce costs by introducing efficiency improvements in blisk measurement.
Blisks – short for Blade Integrated Disks – are rotor blades for aircraft engines. They are manufactured in one piece instead of being assembled from several pieces as with older technologies.The intention was to achieve a 30 percent reduction of the measuring time for the blade profiles and disc shapes.
The winning system consists of the QUINDOS software by Messtechnik Wetzlar and the Leitz PMM-C 161210P coordinate measuring machine with a rotary table. In addition to the efficient performance of QUINDOS and the Leitz PMM-C, it was the system and application expertise of Messtechnik Wetzlar in blisk measurement in particular that proved decisive for the company's success in the competition.
The QUINDOS-Leitz system was up against measuring systems from six competitors. According to Wolfgang Meister, quality projects representative at MTU, the system was able to achieve all the project objectives as follows:
- Measuring times drastically reduced. A reduction of 65 % was achieved in the total measuring time with proven measuring process capability on the sample component. A reduction of 75 % was achieved on the measurement of blade profiles.
- The system maintains a stable measuring process, due to the robust scan capabilities of the Leitz PMM-C and the ability of QUINDOS to react intelligently to changed situations on the component.
- The necessary correlation and measuring gauge capability records were readily accessible.
- The solution can be integrated into the MTU Aero Engines data chain through interfaces.
Wolfgang Meister continues: "With this solution MTU Aero Engines can considerably reduce investment and manufacturing costs in the future. A change of system will be introduced in the measuring of blisk components. Procurement of the first measuring system has been started and a joint qualification and series introduction plan drawn up."
www.quindos.com
www.leitz-metrology.com
