Spindle Peening Offset Fixture for CNC Vane Turning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The relative positions of spindle/trunnion surfaces on compressor spindle vanes are disrupted post-processing, particularly due to airfoil peening, leading to dimensional nonconformances and increased costs, despite efforts to control and minimize peening distortion.
Innovation Solution
A turning fixture with a fixture insert that applies a force to the compressor spindle vane during machining to create an offset matching the anticipated peening distortion, using a rod that translates through a chamber to deflect the airfoil, allowing for controlled distortion and maintaining spindle alignment on the same axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If airfoil peening is performed to strengthen the compressor spindle vane, then the strength and durability of the airfoil are improved, but the relative position of the spindles shifts causing dimensional nonconformances
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture applies preliminary force to the airfoil during the turning operation to pre-distort the part in the opposite direction of anticipated peening distortion. This preliminary action ensures that when peening occurs, the spindles end up in the correct final position, resolving the dimensional nonconformance issue while maintaining the strength benefits of peening
2Manufacturing precision
If peening distortion is minimized through process control, then manufacturing precision is improved, but some distortion always remains causing dimensional nonconformances
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture applies a counteracting force during turning to pre-compensate for the inevitable peening distortion. By applying this preliminary anti-action, the system proactively counterbalances the distortion that will occur during peening, ensuring reliable dimensional conformance despite the inherent limitations of peening process control
3Manufacturing precision
If the focus shifts to the CNC turning operation to offset peening distortions, then manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the device complexity increases with the turning fixture
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture applies force locally at specific points on the airfoil using strategically positioned arms and a central rod. This localized approach achieves the necessary distortion compensation with minimal fixture complexity, as the force is concentrated at critical locations rather than requiring complex mechanisms to act on the entire part
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
This approach ensures conforming spindle dimensions at inspection by accounting for peening distortion during the turning operation, reducing costs associated with poor quality and improving engine performance by proactively managing known finishing distortions.
Implementation Method 1
a rod is insertable through the lower portion through the chamber, the rod being configured to apply a force to a compressor spindle vane inserted between the upper portion and the lower portion
Implementation Method 2
the rod being configured to apply a force to an airfoil of the compressor spindle vane inserted between the upper portion and the lower portion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A turning fixture including a fixture insert attached to the turning fixture, the fixture insert comprising an upper portion having an upper portion body, the upper portion body includes a central span with a first arm and second arm opposite the first arm, a cavity is defined between the first arm and the second arm along the central span on an inner side of the upper portion body; the fixture insert including a lower portion having a lower portion body that includes a chamber located centrally between a first end and a second end; and a rod is insertable through the lower portion through the chamber, the rod being configured to apply a force to a compressor spindle vane inserted between the upper portion and the lower portion.