These ranged from Starrag’s most recent blade and blisk production trends through to the cryogenic cooling of tools (in conjunction with Walter), TTL adaptive machining technologies for aerofoil repairs and how Starrag has combined milling and turning for complete working of turbine casings on a single machine.
Presented at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing (AMRC), Rolls-Royce Factory of the Future in Sheffield, the room full of delegates enjoyed an packed agenda of presentations and demonstrations, including an insight into the benefits of the RCS aerofoil milling software and an outline of Starrag’s expertise at developing flexible manufacturing solutions for turbine blades.
In particular, details of the milling and turning of a 500mm long by 660mm diameter aero-engine compressor casing (typically made from Inconel or titanium) with wall thicknesses down to 5mm on a Starrag STC 800 MT, fascinated the delegation.
The full process, after Vericut simulation, involves milling, turning, internal machining with angle head, back spot facing and measuring. Because of the component size (internal depth), machining was completed in two set-ups.
Likewise, two other presentations were also of particular appeal: one by TTL, on the benefits of adaptive machining for blisk repair (rather than scrap); and the other on how the latest version of Starrag’s RCS software (7.4) has improved routines for snubber machining, trochoidal milling and reduced tool wear – while significantly reducing pre-production programming times.
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