General Electric Company

Rajendra P Rathi

David G Tashjian

John J Bottoms

Randall C Gantner

Richard H Burkel

Steven M Wolff

David C Fairbourn

Joseph H Nurre

A method and system for machining a contoured surface of a part, such as a vane of a vane segment of a nozzle ring in a gas turbine engine. A plurality of original data points from the original surface of the vane are sensed. The system comprises an algorithm for creating a matrix of data and for generating a revised contour profile corresponding to the cross-sectioned contour of the vane for points which lie in a common plane. The original contour may have missing sections in its profile or may have areas where brazing material has been applied to the vane. The revised contour profile is adjusted in accordance with certain predefined parameters. The revised contour profile is also adjusted so that all of its points lie on or inside the perimeter shape defined by the original data points. All of the revised contour profiles associated with each cross-section of the vane is compiled to generate one machining contour. The system includes a machining station which machines the vane in accordance with the machining contour.

Method and system for machining contoured parts

A vision system for automating a machine process. The system includes a conventional CCD camera and a vision processor which automatically determines process parameters from a workpiece surface by generating an image of the workpiece surface, transducing the workpiece image into electrical signals, and electronically determining the process parameters from the electrical signals. Applied to a laser welding process, the vision system locates workpiece edges, determines part centerline and thickness, and calculates process parameters such as weld location, the rate of delivery of weld powder, laser intensity, and the speed at which the weld is applied.

Machine vision system

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, OH, United States of America

Rajendra P Rathi