Products

Blade Tip Grind Measurement System (ROTAGAGE)

ROTAGAGE is used for measuring individual rotor blade tip radii on the production rotors of gas turbine engines and compressors during the blade tip grinding process. A high (in process) and low (off line) speed version of ROTAGAGE is available. The high-speed version is used where there is the need to use the rotational speed centrifugal force of the grinding machine to lock the blades into their running position on the blade rotor disc. The slow-speed version is used for heavy industrial rotors and compressor casings.

The ROTAGAGE rotor inspection system is used for measuring individual rotor blade tip radii on the production rotors of gas turbine engines and compressors during the blade tip grinding process.


1) The ROTAGAGE off line system which measures blade lengths before and after tip grinding.   2) The ROTAGAGE in process system which carries out completely automated blade tip diameter measurement during the grinding process.
     
 

Both ROTAGAGE systems provide accurate dimensions of individual blade lengths.They are suitable for use with most blade tip grinding machines and are self-calibrating over the rotor stages.


Typical ROTAGAGE System Diagram.

Rotagage Actuator and Probe Cartridge Assembly

 

Various sizes of actuator and probe cartridge assembly’s are available to suite most grinding machine cross slides and configurations.

The ROTAGAGE probe cartridge combines the actions of ‘touch’ and capacitive technology in a similar way to our AutoCap gap measurement systems.

Rotagage Actuator and Probe Capabilities

ROTAGAGE SYSTEM HARDWARE.

Ground Station with Signal Conditioning and Stepper Motor Control. PC controlled acquisition and data processing software, high speed A/D conversion of capacitance probe data, CNC communications. CNC patch panel having digital interface with CNC.

ROTAGAGE SYSTEM SOFTWARE FEATURES.

ROTAGAGE system requirements to be provided by customer:

  • Rotor once per revolution (opr) tachometer signal having, preferably, a stable, pulse edge definition better than 1.0 micro second.
  • Datum reference disc.
  • Earthed rotor.
  • Purge air to actuator and probe assembly.
  • Burrs removed from blade tips.

ROTAGAGE off-line processing main screen display.   ROTAGAGE off-line processing results display.
     
 
     
ROTAGAGE in-process main screen display.   ROTAGAGE in-process results display.
     
 
     
     

Blade Tip Grind Measurement System (ROTAGAGE) : Installation and Use.

 

ROTAGAGE actuator and probe cartridge assembly located in grind measuring position on a grinding machine. The “gold reference” disk is shown on the right of the picture.
     
 

ROTAGAGE actuator and probe cartridge located against “gold reference” disk.

A machine based calibration surface (gold reference) is required at a known distance from the tip grinding machine headstock centre-line.

This can be fixed or rotating as a part of the grinding machine work holding fixture.

Blade Tip Grind Measurement System (ROTAGAGE) : Information Required from Customer.

In order to evaluate the suitability of our ROTAGAGE tip grind measurement system for your complete tip grind requirements please provide the following information.

1) tip grind machine manufacturers details and machine type.
2) tip grinding rotational speed(s).
3) tip grinding machine cross slide details.
4) tip grind machine CNC controller details.
5) dimensions of rotor blade tip profiles.
6) dimensions of rotor blade tip diameters.

Blade Tip Grind Measurement System (ROTAGAGE): Summary of Main Features.

Features Include:

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