Automated glass bead peener
Automated glass bead peener
Keywords: USF Vacu-Blast, Peening, Aerofoils
Precision engineering specialist, Weston EU, based at Foulridge, near Colne in Lancashire, UK, has recently installed a USF Vacu-Blast "Ventus®150 AXT" automated glass bead peening machine (see Plate 2) specifically for the controlled processing of aeroengine compressor blade aerofoils for fatigue life enhancement. This operation was previously subcontracted.
Plate 2 The USF Vacu Blast Ventus® 150 AXT
As a result of activities within its lean manufacturing programme, Weston EU– a leading manufacturer of precision components and assemblies for the aerospace, power generation, automotive and telecommunications industries,amongst others – has reportedly been able to significantly reduce lead times on these particular parts. After only a few months of operation, lead times are said to have been cut from 17 weeks to six-and-half weeks, with an ultimate target period of just one week. Whilst producing a future state value stream map, Weston identified that the installation of a glass bead peen machine was necessary to create product flow.
The new machine has a reported production capacity of around 500,000 aerofoils per working year. The parts processed are in titanium, nickel based alloys and steel, can measure between 15mm and 200mm in length and are retained in special polyurethane location and masking tools on a variable speed turntable, which swings in and out of the enclosure to facilitate loading and unloading. The polyurethane tools are tailored to accept different part sizes,depending on production requirements.
Processing takes place in a 1,500mm x 1,400mm x 1,000mm high enclosure, with peening carried out by an array of eight suction-fed blast guns attached to a reciprocating roof-mounted manipulator. The guns are fitted to universally adjustable mounts to allow accurate positioning during initial mad-tine set-up.
The machine uses glass beads within the 100µm to 800µm size range and peening intensity varies between Almen 7N and 11N, according to the particular component and specification. Peening parameters are governed by a PLC based programmable control unit to ensure process repeatability.
Special features of the machine include:
automatic media recovery, air washing and recycling of reusable media(degraded material is directed to a dust collection bin);
automatic air-purging for component cleaning after peening; and
high efficiency filtration to ensure that air exhausted from the dust collection unit is maintained at a high level of cleanliness stated to be in line with COSHH requirements.
Further details are available from USF Vacu-Blast International. Tel: +44 (0)1753 526511; Fax: +44 (0) 1753 538093; E-mail: info@vacu-blast.co.uk; Web site: www.surfacepreparation.com
