Optical measuring systems like ATOS, providing for full-field digitizing of the entire object, are much more flexible than pointwise measuring methods. While these measuring methods generally output individual points or provide results along sections, optical systems allow for capturing the entire geometry. This characteristic feature particularly meets the requirements of new manufacturing and repair procedures for turbine blades as well as of new quality standards. Thus, complete and fast measuring of components considerably optimizes the time for product and production development as well as for production launch and control. The entire process from development to production can be accompanied time-effectively and remains transparent.

The repair or reproduction of older turbines and blades or of those made by other manufacturers, is a problem for engineers as drawings or CAD data are missing. Measuring these parts completely using coordinate measuring machines is particularly time-consuming.

The optical digitizing system ATOS, however, digitizes objects of any size and complexity fast, precisely and completely, see figure 1.

The results are available instantly in a polygon mesh, the so-called STL mesh. This mesh shows a very high resolution in all areas of strong curvatures such that fine details like the leading and the trailing edge are exactly reproduced, see figure 2.

In addition, the STL data can be used for stability and flow simulations. It is a particular advantage that the simulations are based on data of real parts and not on theoretical or constructed parts.

In addition to turbine components, larger turbines or complete groups of assembled turbines can be digitized using a combination of ATOS and TRITOP. The photogrammetry system TRITOP provides the position of the components in their assembled state which are then 100% digitized with ATOS - if required in a disassembled state as well. The data correspond to a digital mock up, see figure 4.

Analysis in Production Development and Launch

The optimization of time for production development and production launch is a decisive factor for competitiveness. Measuring the geometry of the product is required in almost every production step and in each iteration stage. The measured data are compared with the nominal geometries (of CAD data or master parts).

The common procedure to measure components on coordinate measuring machines requires a measurement plan, i.e. the areas (measuring points) in which the analysis is to be carried out have to be defined well in advance. However, a great number of measuring points involves a lot of time whereas the determination of measuring points prior to measuring is superfluous when using the ATOS system for the fast and complete measurement of objects. The deviations over the component's entire geometry are clearly visualized in color and are easy to understand even for outside observers, see figure 5.

Various methods are available to align the measured data to the nominal geometry. Best-fit algorithms, applied to certain areas of the components, allow for analysing local geometry deviations but also visualize torsion or deformations of partial areas with respect to each other.

If the alignment is made to the aerodynamic part (airfoil) of the turbine blade, the actual deviations in these areas can be analysed. If, however, best-fit registration is performed to the root of the turbine blade, torsion of the airfoil with respect to the root can be detected.

Other registration or coordinate transformation rules like 3-2-1 or RPS registration which uses reference elements like planes, holes, cones, cylinders and much more allow manifold individual solutions.

Fixtures, measured with TRITOP, which are used for the components or turbine blades, guarantee a reproducible positioning of these parts, and coordinate transformation after measuring is no longer necessary. The ATOS system measures directly in the defined coordinate system using the reference point markers of the fixture.

For analysis, components can be measured completely or partially with ATOS in each production step in order to,

• Determine the geometry of blanks. This guarantees that subsequent processing can be carried out properly. It is also possible to consider the blank's geometry when creating processing programs (e.g. milling paths). This reduces the processing time.
• Exactly check the dimensional consistency after cutting processes.
• Check the dimensional consistency or the deformation after heat treatments.
• Measure and assess dents and bumps on airfoils.
• Check the layer thickness when applying protective and insulating layers. The comparison of measurements before and after coating, aligned to the root of the turbine blade, result in the layer thickness.
• Check the mounting of components, e.g. the mounting of individual turbine blades to a blisk.

• Document the blades' geometry before and after weld cladding.
• Check the dimensional consistency after processing.

Pointwise measuring methods come close to their technical limits because of the increasing requirements regarding quality in production like a larger amount of measuring points, flexible measuring solutions for a variety of products as well as precise measuring equipment. Optical full-field measuring methods, however, provide high flexibility and very dense measuring points.

To measure large quantities of components, an automated solution supported by a robot and combined with a rotation table as an option would be best, see figure 6. ATOS provides extensive macro programming to automate the entire measuring procedure including the control of the handling systems and evaluation up to generating a yes/no statement or a report.

Thus, for example, measuring the aerodynamic contour of a turbine blade is done in less than 30 seconds.

Summary

Optical digitizing of turbine blades and other turbine components offers new possibilities in product and production development as well as in production quality control.
Features like:

• time saving during measurement,
• complete measuring,
• support of new manufacturing processes,

Therefore, optical digitizing with the ATOS system is an essential part of the so-called "Time Compression Technologies".