Rotary system cuts tear-down rate by 95%

RPI, a specialist in high-accuracy rotary positioning and inspection devices, has developed a system for the measurement and assembly of gas turbine rotors that reduces the rate of teardowns by 95%.

The assembly of a gas turbine rotor is an extremely complicated and time-consuming process. It can take a week or more to assemble rotor, while close control of the assembly’s geometric tolerances is essential to ensure efficient performance and safe operation. If the rotor does not meet final criteria, it is subject to a ‘tear down’, where it must be completely disassembled and reassembled, costing tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds in damaged parts, labour and delivery penalties.

These costly tear downs are avoidable if individual rotor component geometries are fully characterised and if the rotor assembly is simulated prior to its actual assembly. ‘Rotor stacking’ is the name given to this virtual assembly process.

RPI’s Integrated Measurement and Assembly Platform (iMAP) is a complete rotor-stacking solution featuring a high-precision, motorised air-bearing rotary table, an AccuScan circular geometry inspection system and IntelliStack rotor stacking software. iMAP systems can handle components as large as 35 tonnes and over 20 m3 with sub-micron accuracies, and a measuring resolution of less than 250 nm.

Some OEMs still use traditional dial indicator measurement methods, where data is manually collected and recorded from perhaps eight to 12 data points per part surface – one surface at a time. It sometimes takes a full shift just to measure a single part. iMAP replaces this time-consuming and error-prone process through the automated collection of up to 4000 data points per surface from as many as eight surfaces in one 30-second rotation of the part, resulting in tremendous savings in annual labour costs.

For further information
www.rpiuk.com

New date for SteelFab

SteelFab, a leading exhibition for the metalworking, metal manufacturing and steel fabrication industries, will now take place in June 2021 rather than its scheduled January date. The show will open its doors on 7-10 June at the Expo Centre Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. The decision is described by the organiser as difficult yet responsible, and in the best interests of all participants. Moving the event to June will also provide sufficient time for the industry to adapt, restore balance and regain confidence in exhibiting, visiting and travelling.

As the Middle East’s major showcase for machinery, technology and equipment, SteelFab will provide a platform for around 300 exhibitors across 26,000 sq m of floor space. Some 6500 trade visitors are likely to attend from approximately 70 countries. Special focus areas at the 17th edition of the show will include welding and cutting, machine tools, pipe and tube machinery, and wear-resistance/hard-facing solutions.

For further information www.steelfabme.com

Set-style carbide-tipped bandsaw blade

Lenox, a specialist in carbide cutting performance, is introducing Gen-Tech, a new set-style carbide-tipped bandsaw blade for general purpose cutting. Through innovative design and cutting technology, Gen-Tech offers versatility, long blade life and a low cost per cut, reports the company. Gen-Tech is made at the company’s East Longmeadow, MA manufacturing facility.

Says Daniel Fernandes, senior product manager – industrial bandsaw blades: “Designed for versatility, Gen-Tech cuts a wide variety of materials, shapes and sizes. Manufacturing industries set to take of advantage of Gen-Tech will include aerospace, defence and energy, with applications in carbon steels, bearing steels, mould steels, alloy steels, tool steels and stainless, as well as titanium and nickel-based alloys. Featuring a wide kerf set-style tooth structure, Gen-Tech helps to prevent pinching in these high-stress, hard-to-cut materials.

“An advanced grade of carbide that is honed using Honex technology, contributes to Gen-Tech’s long blade life by limiting chipping and therefore enabling productivity,” he continues. “In addition, the back edge of the blade can utilise Wave Tech, which is designed for improved cutting efficiency by breaking through work-hardened layers.”

Finally, Gen-Tech offers an affordable price point to enable the transition from bi-metal to carbide bandsaw blades.

“New Gen-Tech carbide bandsaw blades provide versatility, long blade life and a low cost per cut,” confirms Fernandes. “Designed with end users in mind, these new blades deliver the performance and durability that tough industrial metal-cutting applications demand.”

For further information
www.lenoxtools.com

Bison reveals best-selling machines

Bison Machinery says that its two best-selling machines are, perhaps unsurprisingly, bandsaws, which feature in nearly every fabrication workshop. The company’s top-selling saws are easily the Bianco 280 M and 420 MS models, between them accounting for 60% of saw sales by volume.

Both of these machines are precision European-built models with a modern cast bow design produced to exacting standards. Bison regularly has customers coming back to update Bianco saws that were installed in the 1990s and 2000s. And even these part-exchange machines – after a refurbishment – will give further service to a company seeking a low-cost cutting solution.

As well as the 280 M pull-down and 420 MS automatic down-feed models, Bianco manufactures a full range of solutions from manual, through semi-automatic, to fully automatic mitring machines.

The Bianco 280 M pull-down bandsaw is pitched as ideal for those looking to graduate from noisy chop saws as they are accurate, easy to use and quiet cutting. With high capacity for the footprint, an easy pull-down action and inherent safety features, the 280 M mitres up to 60° with a positive stop at 0° and 45° for quick mitres and a scale for any angle between. A sturdy 27 mm blade width and carbide blade guides ensure accurate, perpendicular cuts every time within the life of the blade.

For those running out of capacity on a smaller machine or needing something to cope with a range of materials up to mid-size box and tube, along with smaller beams, the 420 MS is Bison’s recommendation. With all the precision-build features of the 280 M, the 420 MS sees the addition of a valved down-feed cylinder to control saw-frame descent.

For further information
www.bisonmachinery.co.uk

Smart Factory Innovation Hubs

The University of Sheffield’s AMRC will host two new Smart Factory Innovation Hubs as part of a pilot scheme to accelerate growth in the manufacturing sector through better use of digital technologies. Smart Factory Innovation Hubs are being led by the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult and Made Smarter, which together constitute the UK’s manufacturing digitalisation movement. The project will see HVM Catapult’s network, which includes the AMRC and Nuclear AMRC, offer companies the opportunity to reduce the risk of implementing new digital manufacturing solutions within their businesses.

For further information www.hvm.catapult.org.uk/innovation-hubs