Airfoil Edge Contouring Tool for Restoring Leading-Edge Shape

The patent replaces conventional mechanical grinding and manual contouring methods with a laser-based system. The laser beam melts and vaporizes material from the airfoil edge, eliminating the need for mechanical contact tools and enabling precise restoration of the designed edge geometry without the limitations of mechanical abrasion

The patent utilizes controlled laser parameters (power, pulse duration, focal position) to achieve material removal and reshaping. By adjusting these parameters, the system can precisely control the melting and vaporization process to restore the airfoil edge to its original aerodynamic contour

The patent replaces complex mechanical contouring tools with a laser-based system that uses optical fields instead of mechanical contact. This substitution simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating mechanical linkages, adjustment mechanisms, and tooling fixtures while achieving superior geometric precision through laser control

The system uses the airfoil's original designed geometry as a reference template. The laser contouring process replicates the nominal airfoil shape by removing material to match the target geometry, ensuring high manufacturing precision without requiring complex custom tooling for each airfoil variation

The patent replaces expensive, complex mechanical grinding and contouring equipment with a laser-based system. While laser technology has its own complexity, it eliminates the need for heavy mechanical tooling, manual operation, and extensive setup procedures, ultimately simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing overall system cost

The laser system is designed to be self-guided using optical sensors and feedback control. The system automatically monitors the airfoil geometry during processing and adjusts laser parameters in real-time to maintain precision, reducing the need for complex external control systems and manual intervention