Mobile Machine Tool for In-Situ Turbine Segment Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of machining turbine components requires disassembly and reassembly of the shaft and components, which is time-consuming and inefficient due to high mechanical and thermal stresses causing gap changes.
Innovation Solution
A mobile machine tool with a base body, carrier element, and tool module that allows in-situ machining by rotating the component and successively machining circumferential segments using a tool module that moves along two degrees of freedom, including a C-axis circular-arc guide path and radial adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the shaft and components are removed from the turbine housing for machining, then the component can be machined in a suitable production unit, but the procedure becomes very time-consuming due to disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool is extracted from the traditional stationary production unit and transformed into a mobile unit that can be positioned directly at the component location within the turbine housing, eliminating the need to extract the component for machining
Solution Approach 2:
A mobile machine tool serves as an intermediary between the stationary production unit and the in-situ component, bringing machining capability to the component location while maintaining the component in its installed position
2Manufacturing precision
If the component is machined in a stationary production unit, then machining precision can be achieved, but the device complexity increases due to disassembly and reassembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool transitions from a static stationary production unit to a mobile unit that can dynamically position itself at different locations within the turbine housing, adapting to the specific machining location without requiring system reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile machine tool is designed as a universal machining unit capable of performing various machining operations on different components at different locations within the turbine housing, replacing multiple specialized stationary units
3Loss of time
If a mobile machine tool is used for in-situ machining, then maintenance time is reduced by avoiding disassembly, but the device complexity increases due to mobile mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The machine tool is segmented into modular components including a mobile base body, a carrier element for tool mounting, and adjustable positioning mechanisms, allowing each segment to be optimized independently while maintaining overall functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile machine tool for segmentally machining, in situ, a component, in particular a component of a turbine, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The machine tool has a main body, a support element which is held on the main body so as to be movable about a C-axis along a circular-arc-shaped guide path, and a tool module which is held on the support element and is designed to receive a tool. The tool module is located on the support element so as to be linearly movable. A method segmentally machines, in-situ, a component which is mounted in a stationary body so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation.