Automatic measurement & evaluation of turbine engine components

Combine an optical 3D sensor with a collaborative robot

Cobots are a combination of a collaborative 6-axis robot and a high-resolution optical 3D measurement sensor to be used for the automatic inspection of microgeometries on large components. In the aerospace industry, the measurement of deburred edges, also known as "break edge measurement", on turbine disks and turbine housings are the most common applications. Bruker Alicona Cobots have been available on the market since 2017, and even then "nothing comparable has existed, at least we are not aware of any system. What the Cobot already offered three years ago at the market launch was unique. All the other manufacturers we evaluated would have had to start at the development stage," Duffek recalls. He is now a "Cobot expert", because under his leadership three systems for the automated measurement of edges, radii and defects are currently in use in Munich.

Measure break edges with tolerances in the single-digit µm range

Classical manufacturing processes such as turning, milling and grinding can lead to burr formation and unwanted sharp edges. These represent structural weak points where material breakage or cracks can occur. This can ultimately lead to a potential danger to the safe operation of an engine, which is why high demands are placed on edge processing and its testing and certification.

Cobots, which like all Bruker Alicona measuring systems are based on Focus-Variation, are suitable for this purpose in many ways. The optical technology enables the measurement of highly reflective to matt surfaces with steep flanks and even captures geometries with tolerances in the single-digit µm range in high resolution. This means that even the smallest form deviations can be measured traceably. The evaluation is performed automatically and according to common industry standards, e.g. ASME.  

In addition, Cobots are suitable as both high resolution and process-stable measurements go along with easy operation of the system, which is designed for the use of several operators. The handling, measurement and evaluation by means of programmed test routines are easy to handle. "Teach-in of measuring programs with the joystick is intuitive," is how MTU sums up the situation. Optionally, measuring routines can also be defined in the CAD file of the component using a CADCAM connection.

Measure length, width, depth and volume of defects

Another field of application for the Cobots is defect measurement. The maximum depth of a defect determines whether a component is reused, repaired or disposed of as a reject part. Conventional, manual methods for defect measurement using replica techniques, profile projectors and tactile methods such as contour measurement systems are labor intensive and cannot be automated. "State-of-the-art technology is very important to us when it comes to measuring technology," says Duffek. He continues: "Using optical measurement technology we are faster, more accurate and, above all, process-capable. With Bruker Alicona we can also measure automatically in a CNC process," he continues. MTU Aero Engines highly emphasizes on repeatable, traceable, automatic and fast defect measurement. Therefore, Bruker Alicona measuring equipment is used for this purpose as well. Defect measurement at MTU includes the evaluation of parameters such as length, width and depth of dents, scratches, cracks etc.

Automatic measurement of more than 100 taught-in measuring positions

More and more Cobot users in the aerospace sector use the possibility to define measurement routines directly on the CAD data set of a component by means of a CADCAM connection. Several hundred measuring positions on a wide variety of components, for example turbine housings, are automatically measured and evaluated. This would also take many times longer with conventional methods such as the use of replica techniques. According to MTU, this means in figures: "This brings a reduction in inspection costs of 25% - 50%!"