Aircraft Engine Part Machining via 3D Reference Transformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing complex aircraft engine parts with multiple precision features poses challenges due to the difficulty in establishing a common coordinate system, particularly when machining reference features are obstructed or vary significantly between instances, leading to high costs and imprecision.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a tri-dimensional model to determine the geometrical relationship between machining and setup reference features, allowing for indirect measurement and computation of the machining reference feature's position and orientation, and applying coordinate transformations to correct the CNC machine's coordinate system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional machining methods are used with direct mounting of reference features, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates when reference features are obstructed or vary between instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a setup reference feature as an intermediary element that can be accessed and measured when the machining reference feature is obstructed. This intermediary feature serves as a mediator to establish the coordinate system indirectly through geometric relationships defined in the 3D model, allowing precision machining without direct access to the machining reference feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital 3D model that copies and stores the geometric relationships between the machining reference feature and setup reference feature. This digital replica allows the system to compute the position and orientation of the machining reference feature based on measurements of the setup reference feature, eliminating the need for direct physical measurement of obstructed features.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-precision fixtures and encapsulation techniques are used to ensure coordinate accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fixture systems with a computational approach. Instead of relying on expensive high-precision mechanical fixtures and encapsulation techniques to physically ensure coordinate accuracy, the system uses a 3D model-based computational method that calculates the correct coordinates through geometric relationships, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical parameter control (mechanical fixture precision) to digital parameter computation (coordinate calculation based on geometric relationships). By transforming the problem from a mechanical precision challenge to a computational geometry problem, the system achieves the same coordinate accuracy without the associated high costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple machining operations are performed on complex parts with different fixtures, then manufacturing versatility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in establishing common coordinate system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal 3D model that contains the geometric relationships between multiple reference features (machining reference feature and setup reference feature) that can be used across different machining operations and fixtures. This single digital model serves multiple functions by providing the coordinate transformation data needed for various machining operations, ensuring measurement precision consistency across different fixtures and operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The method can include mounting the part on a machining fixture, obtaining a geometrical relationship between a machining reference feature of the part and a setup reference feature of the part, such as via a 3D model acquired by scanning, measuring a position and orientation of the setup reference feature relative the machining fixture, computing a position and orientation of the machining reference feature based on the geometrical relationship and on the measured position and orientation; and machining the target feature of the part relative to the computed position and orientation of the machining feature.