MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) Robotic Metal Finishing

Automated finishing systems serve manufacturers who repair commercial and military jet engine components, utilizing easily programmable systems to finish turbine blades with unparalleled efficiency and precision.

Solution Overview

Historically, HPC and HPT turbine blades have been ground, before and after manual welding or laser cladding, by manual methods. Recently, Acme has developed several standard robotic material removal solutions to automate these operations. This technology is targeted at manufacturers who repair commercial and military jet engine components.

Process Scope

Tip Preparation – PRE

  • Tip grinding for HPC/LPC & HPT blades prior to tip weld repair
  • Robot measures the blade and automatically removes the proper amount of material from the tip
  • The surface is also deburred for a clean weld surface
  • Tight tolerance tip grinding capability

Tip Repair – POST

  • Grind & blend HPT & HPC blade tips after laser clad welding (cladding & AM)
  • Blade tip is automatically belt ground to a dimension. The laser cladding on the airfoil tip is blended with a belt.
  • Tight tolerance tip grinding capability
  • Precise airfoil blending capability

Advantages of Acme’s MRO Technology

  • Easy to program
  • Cycle times of 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the scope
  • Large queue of unattended grinding
  • System has small footprint
  • Fully enclosed machine for safety, noise reduction, and dust containment
  • Abrasive belt heads are Acme engineered
  • Acme finishing software to manage abrasive belt and brush life
  • Acme auto-tool path generation capability, unique Acme developed IP
  • Ideal for high mix, low volume part production
  • Turnkey process
  • Stand-alone cell operation or fully automated work cell that includes pre & post tip repair, laser cladding system, CNC grinder & AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robotics) system automation
  • Smart factory & Industry 4.0 capabilities
  • Remote troubleshooting

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