Aircraft Engine Part Scanning With Fixture-Based Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional scanning systems for aircraft engine parts require precise positioning of reference markers on the parts, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially for complex and large components like combustor liners.
Innovation Solution
A scanning fixture with removable markers is used to provide digitization reference points, allowing for accurate scanning without the need to apply markers directly on the parts, and enabling rapid, repeatable scanning of multiple parts using a topometric sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference markers are applied directly on the part, then scanning accuracy is improved, but preparation time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A scanning fixture acts as an intermediary carrier that holds reference markers separately from the part. The fixture is positioned adjacent to the part during scanning, allowing markers to provide reference points without being applied directly to the part surface. This eliminates time-consuming marker application and removal processes while maintaining scanning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference marking system is segmented into a separate fixture component rather than being integrated with the part itself. The fixture can be reused across multiple parts, separating the reference marking function from the part-specific geometry and enabling rapid setup without reapplying markers to each new part.
2Measurement precision
If reference markers are applied on the part, then digitization reference points are obtained, but the process must be repeated for each part reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning fixture is designed as a universal device that can be used with multiple different parts. The same fixture with its reference markers serves as the reference system for scanning various combustor liners, eliminating the need to create and apply custom markers for each part type, thereby increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture serves as a reusable intermediary that provides consistent reference points across multiple scanning operations. Instead of modifying each part with markers, the same fixture is positioned adjacent to each part, providing universal reference functionality that maintains accuracy while improving throughput.
3Productivity
If laser line scanning is used, then scanning capability is achieved, but robot positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reference markers on the fixture act as an intermediary reference system that compensates for robot positioning variations. By providing known, fixed reference points adjacent to the part, the system can accurately locate the part and compensate for minor positioning errors, reducing the stringency of robot precision requirements while maintaining scan quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The scanning fixture facilitates accurate and efficient scanning of complex parts by providing fixed reference points, reducing setup time and enhancing throughput, while ensuring high-quality digital models are generated.
Implementation Method 1
Scanning systems which employ topometric sensors can be less susceptible to this issue
Data Source
AI summary
A method of scanning a part, for example of an aircraft engine, using a three-dimensional (3D) scanning system includes positioning a scanning fixture adjacent to the part within a field of view of a sensor of the 3D scanning system, the scanning fixture having a plurality of markers thereon, and maintaining the scanning fixture in a fixed position relative to the part. Scanned part data and spatial coordinates of the plurality of markers of the scanning fixture is acquired, by the 3D scanning system. The spatial coordinates of the markers providing digitization reference points. A compensation or transformation of the scanned part data is performed, using the digitization reference points, to generate compensated part data.