Open AccessThermal Imaging Ensures Aircraft Turbine Quality
Author(s) -
Sarfels Joachim,
Liebelt Frank,
Brockmann Matthias,
Gierlings Sascha
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
optik & photonik
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2191-1975
pISSN - 1863-1460
DOI - 10.1002/opph.201500025
Subject(s) - workmanship , quality (philosophy) , process (computing) , macro , machining , computer science , manufacturing engineering , aviation , lens (geology) , mechanical engineering , automotive engineering , reliability engineering , engineering , systems engineering , aerospace engineering , operations management , philosophy , epistemology , petroleum engineering , programming language , operating system
Highest quality standards during the manufacturing process of engine components are indispensable for secure aviation. The research conducted at the RWTH Aachen University's machine tool laboratory focuses on temperature as the primary variable in the machining process. This is a complex process due to the high speeds and relatively thin chips. These chips have a minimum thickness of 15 micrometers, and required a fast, high‐resolution thermal imaging camera equipped with a macro lens. The thermographic studies confirm some of the common theories but have also resulted in corrections to the theoretically expected distribution of temperatures, which has in turn lead important insights, which help imtoprove quality and workmanship. The machine tool lab researchers have been able to define process conditions that ensure the highest quality and productivity at the same time.