Techniques

for Manufacture to Control HCF

Evaluate the HCF risk of newly manufactured IBDs so you can detect and repair high risk parts before they reach the engine. The evaluation data also provides a unique window into your manufacturing process, and can help identify manufacturing improvements to better control HCF risk.

Fast, precise EzVIBES® vibration assessment system

BDC’s EzVIBES performs a vibration test on your IBD that simulates the type of traveling wave excitation that it would experience in the engine. BDC’s EzID software analyzes the vibratory response to extract the vibration characteristics of the part, its Vibratory DNA. The measured values are compared with a benchmark to ensure that the vibratory response of the parts you are manufacturing remain consistent with the parts that were engine tested during development.

AutoPoint® system provides high-frequency capability

EzVIBES uses BDC’s AutoPoint system to locate measurement points on each blade and provide exceptional high-frequency capability. Small errors in locating the measurement points cause large errors in the measured vibratory response – especially in high frequency modes. BDC makes physically meaningful measurements at much higher frequencies with excellent reproducibility because of AutoPoint, our automated method of identifying blade features and locating points. We have demonstrated excellent repeatability at frequencies in excess of 80 kHz.

EzID software characterizes IBD’s vibratory response

BDC has proprietary software for analyzing blade vibration data called EzID. EzID determines the quantities that control the vibratory response of an IBD :

  • The nodal diameter map of the IBD
  • Each blade’s frequency deviation

Essentially, they provide the vibratory “DNA” of the IBD, i.e. if two parts have similar DNA they will have similar vibratory response. If an IBD’s nodal diameter map and blade frequency variations are within the norm, then the IBD can be safely returned to service.

Holistic measurement of manufacturing consistency

An IBD’s vibratory response is very sensitivity to small changes in density and elastic modulus as well as geometry. So, monitoring vibratory response effectively provides an overall measurement of manufacturing consistency.

Go / No-Go automated fitness for service

BDC will use experience and unique vibration prediction tools to determine the sensitivity of your IBDs to manufacturing variations so that you can set automated pass/fail criteria that can be readily implemented during the manufacturing process. Typically, parts that initially fail the evaluation can be reworked so that they can be safely put into service.